DoggyNomads

How to Keep Your Pet Happy While You're Away

Pets are much like people, with unique personalities and needs. Ensuring your pet's happiness while you're away starts with identifying what makes your pet happy in the first place. Your pet could be a cat, dog, bird, or even an exotic species, but each is probably going to need a bit of mental stimulation, physical activity, social engagement, and ultimately comfort to remain happy and content. Investing time in getting to know and observing your pet's preferences and schedule is the beginning of ensuring your pet stays happy while you are gone.

Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment

It is important to create a comfortable and safe environment for your pet. All pets should be able to have a space they can go to when they feel stressed or need a little break, and pets shouldn’t need help getting there. Make sure their space is complete with a comfortable sleeping area, access to fresh water, and their favourite toys. For cats, this might be a comfy cat bed placed strategically on a sunny windowsill, or a cat tree when they feel like climbing. Your dog may need a quiet corner with a bed or blanket. If you have a small pet or an exotic pet, please ensure the enclosure is escape-proof and your pet can move around freely.

Providing Mental Stimulation

Mental stimulation is important to keep your pet stimulated and alleviate boredom or stress. With dogs, interactive toys (especially puzzle feeders) will keep them busy for longer periods. Cats often enjoy toys that mimic prey, like a wand toy or scratching posts. Different types of toys are available for birds that encourage them to forage, and small mammals may enjoy tunnels or wheels. Remember to turn over the toys every so often to keep your pet entertained.

Staying active

Exercise is just as important for your pet's happiness and will help to prevent anxious and stressed behaviours when you leave your pet.  Dogs need walks and play time. If possible, ask a neighbour or hire a pet walker to assist with walks. Cats are a kind of pet that are hunters and love to chase. Using laser pointers or feather toys will give them much-needed exercise. Make sure smaller pets have plenty of exercise in their enclosures using wheels for exercise, climbing equipment, etc.   

Pet sitting or boarding services

If you are out of the house often or away for long periods, it may be time to consider a professional pet sitter or boarding service. A pet sitter will provide one-on-one care in your home, keeping your pet's routine as close to normal as possible. An alternative boarding facility can provide structured playtime and social time for your pet. You really should do your homework if you go that route, to make sure it is an upstanding service and that it meets your pet's needs.

Using Technology to Stay Engaged

Modern technology provides unique opportunities to remain engaged with your pet even from a distance. Oftentimes, pet cameras provide the ability to watch your pet in real time, but some allow you to talk to your pet or even dispense treats remotely. Automatic feeders help to keep your pet's mealtime routine. There are also smart toys that you can activate remotely, and allow your pet to have an impromptu playtime, so they stay engaged and happy throughout the day.

Establishing a Calming Environment

Some pets can be very sensitive to changes in the environment or routine. Apply tactics such as noise, like classical music playing softly, or a show on TV, to provide some background noise that will replicate a sense of normalcy and calm in their environment. Dog and cat pheromone diffusers can also help create a comforting environment. Always attempt to mitigate sudden loud noises, like fireworks, by ensuring they have a secure comfort zone, along with white noise to counteract the loud noise.

Changing and Monitoring

When it comes to monitoring your fur baby on the days you are away, it will be a matter of watching and adjusting. You will want to pay attention to any behavioural changes that might signal some level of stress or anxiety. You can also watch how your fur baby greets you upon return and whether or not they still need to settle when you return. If it is fairly routine for your euphoric pet to experience stress or anxiety, we may change our plan for their time away. This could mean having your pet sitter visit more or finding additional interactive toys, not that they do not need exercise. Every pet is different, and as with most things, it is nice to have the right balance.

Your Pet's Home Pack

You can't beat the aroma and food of home, especially when your beloved pet is away from home. For the same reasons, it is important to pack your pet's home comforts, bedding, food and treats! You may even choose to pack one of your old T-shirts, as they may find some comfort when they miss their humans from time to time. And of course! A special blanket would be ideal too. If your pet doesn't have one already, you can purchase one about a week before leaving them on their journey, so all scents from back home can be picked up.

Conclusion

We understand that it is hard to leave your pet behind. We cannot deny that your pet will miss you, and you will miss them. If you plan to travel, you should consider pet boarding facilities that are committed to providing continuous love to your pet while respecting their routine and needs in your absence. By taking some measures, you can keep your pet happy and healthy while you are away. Remember that all of your efforts, no matter how insignificant they may appear, will serve your pet's best interests and provide you with peace of mind.