Were you one of the thousands of Canadians who bought or adopted a new furry friend this pandemic?

If so, your pet may be feeling some anxiety if youB次元官网网址檙e returning to work and school this fall and are no longer around 24/7 for your new sidekick.

Alexandra Protopopova, assistant professor at the University of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 animal welfare program is feeling similar concerns over her own pups and has some tips to ease the transition.

B次元官网网址淢any of us stayed at home for so long and have constantly been in very close proximity to our companion animals B次元官网网址� and they have also adjusted to this,B次元官网网址� Protopopova said. B次元官网网址淔or some who got pandemic puppies, this continuous proximity might be all that they know.B次元官网网址�

Protopopova recommends trying to gradually stretch out you return to work, if you have that option.

B次元官网网址淵ou want to imagine your B次元官网网址榖ack to normalB次元官网网址� life and then work backwards from that,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭his could mean leaving your dog at home when you go shopping or on errands with the ultimate goal of gradually increasing the periods of separation.B次元官网网址�

Protopopova recommends leaving someway for the pet to occupy themselves with, whether itB次元官网网址檚 a puzzle feeder, a slow automatic feeder or a food-stuffed toy.

If youB次元官网网址檝e already returned to the office and canB次元官网网址檛 smooth out the transition for your pet, it could be a good idea to see if a neighbour could come walk y our pet midday or hire a dog walker. If problems persist however, it could be a good idea to involve an animal behaviour specialist.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, this change is tough for many dogs, and especially for the pandemic puppies, since they have not yet had to learn how to be away from you,B次元官网网址� she said.

And your pup might not be the only one feeling separation anxiety;

B次元官网网址渢B次元官网网址檚 valid, take it seriously, and be open to discussing the effect it might be taking on your mental health with a professional or someone you trust,B次元官网网址� Protopopova said.

If youB次元官网网址檙e facing other pet-related challenges, like being unable to afford food or other pet necessities, donB次元官网网址檛 be afraid to reach out to a local animal shelter for help.

B次元官网网址淩esearch continuously shows that people surrender their companion animals for financial and other human-related reasons, and this is often a hugely emotional ordeal since no one takes up an animal with the plan to give it up,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚f you are in this position, IB次元官网网址檇 encourage reaching out to a local animal shelter about what support they can give you, since some offer low-cost resources, food donations, financial assistance, and behavioural help, depending on your circumstance.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE:

Like us on and follow us on .