During this time of social distancing we are spending more time than ever at home with our pets. Your dog is probably wondering how they got so lucky to spend this extra time with you. While your cat is probably wondering why you are interrupting their sleep schedule. Here are some tips to help your pet deal with the "new normal".
Create a Schedule
This quick lifestyle change can be stressful for some pets. Do yourself and your pet a favor and crate a schedule. It is best to try to stick as close as possible to their original schedule. This will help your pet know what to expect and when to expected it.
Exercising your Pet's Body & Brain
Exercising your pet physically can be done in a variety of ways, including: play, walking, condition exercising, etc.
Exercising your pet mentally is just as important as exercising your pet's body. Mental stimulation tires your pet quicker then physical exercise. Great ways to exercise your pet's mind include: training (its not just for dogs), enrichment puzzles, scent work, treat filled toys & more.
Groom Your Pet
With the close of grooming salons in NJ, it is important to keep your pet well groomed to prevent mats, sores, and broken nails. This is also the perfect opportunity for you to help check your pet for any signs of fleas, ticks, bumps/lumps, sores, etc.
Getting Back to Old Life
As the curve flattens and we are allowed to go back to our regular lives, this can be a stressful time for our furry friends. Gradually start transitioning your pet back to their old schedule a little each day.
With the current situation we are living in, there will be an increase of dogs showing separation anxiety. My biggest piece of advice during this time is to give your pet (especially your dog) their "me time" or time spent on their own in a safe puppy/dog place (like a crate) away from you. To help with this transition, you can exercise your dog and give your dog a treat filled toy, interactive toy, etc to help tire them out. If you notice your dog experiencing separation anxiety, please contact a profession dog trainer.
Kathlyn Lawrence of All Jazzed Up Pet Services LLC is a Certified Professional Trainer (CPT) with years of experience training dogs and working with animals. For more information on our Pet Services please visit our website.
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