Back-to-School Season Is Tough on Pets—Here’s What You Can Do About It

School is back in session, but your pets may be hoping another summer vacation is just around the corner. Back-to-school time can be ruff on our furry friends due to changes in routine, a lonelier home, you name it. Luckily, it doesn't have to be.

We talked with Carly Fox, DVM, senior veterinarian in the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center’s emergency & critical care service, about how to ease the adjustment.

Why is Back-to-School Hard for Pets?

Your human children aren't the only ones who may have trouble acclimating once class is back in session—pets can also struggle to adjust.

“Back to school can be tough for pets for a variety of reasons," Fox says. "This is typically a time where schedules are changing, pets have less time with their family and can show signs of separation anxiety, have less frequent walks or exercise, and inconsistent attention.”

And unlike schoolchildren, pets don't have a packed schedule of classes to entertain them during the day.

How to Ease the Back-to-School Transition

A small adjustment period is normal whenever a change in routine first takes effect. But by implementing a few tried-and-true strategies, you can make back-to-school as seamless as possible for pets.

Meet Their Needs Before You Leave

Not all pets suffer with separation anxiety, but no one is immune to boredom. Before you head out the door, make sure your pets have access to fresh water and ideally an activity to focus on so they don't create mischief.

"In order to set your pet up for success, make sure they have access to water, something to keep them occupied (i.e. snuffle mat, Kong, set up hide and seek with treats around the house), and ideally exercise them before you plan to leave so they are tired," Fox says. "Some pets will truly just relax and rest when you are not home."

Make Departures and Arrivals Lowkey

While it's completely natural for you and your children to want to have a heartfelt goodbye with your pets, less is always more.

"The best way is to make goodbyes and hellos very chill and calm," Fox says. "Avoid eye contact and high-pitched voices. Ideally, no interaction is best, but a quick pat with no fanfare is also acceptable."

This may be a tough concept for children to grasp, especially younger children, so rehearsing departures and arrivals could be a good idea.

"It’s important to explain this to children and even practice fake exits with them," Fox says. "This teaches pets that arrivals and departures are not emotional rollercoasters."

Be Mindful of Their Bathroom Schedule

Can you refrain from going to the bathroom for an entire school day? Neither can a dog, and depending on their age, they may need several bathroom breaks before the school bus makes its afternoon rounds.

Generally, a puppy (six months or less) should not be left alone for more than 3 hours, an adult dog no more than 6 hours, and a senior dog probably no more than 4 hours due to the need to use the restroom more often," Fox says.

If you're not able to make it home for your dog's potty breaks, it's a good idea to hire a dog walker or see if your pup is a candidate for doggy daycare so they stay on a consistent bathroom schedule even in your absence.

For cat owners, even though you don't need to potty break your cat, it's a good idea to clean their litter box first thing in the morning to prevent any accidents during the school day. No kitty wants to use a dirty litter box.

Talk to Your Vet

For particularly stressed-out pets, it's never a bad idea to talk to your veterinarian about how to make the school transition easier.

"Talk to your vet about environmental and schedule changes you can make to help ease their transition," Fox says. "Start ahead of time to make your pet one less thing to have to worry about during this busy time.”