Giving Your Pet Extra Attention During Back to School Season

There are a few times throughout the year when your pet may require a bit of extra attention, and this usually has to do with a change in household schedule. After having the kids home all summer during vacation, everyone going back to school in the fall can be quite upsetting. You can see videos of sad dogs looking out the window as their little persons get on school buses, as well as some excited pups seeing their kids return home. Take time during this season to give your pet a bit of extra attention. While most cats won’t wait at the door like the family dog, and it might seem like your hamster or Guinea pig doesn’t notice, the truth is that they do realize that something has changed and could need a bit of extra support. Back to school is a great time for a veterinary check-up, whether you have cats and dogs or keep small rodents as pets. Our Dartmouth vet hospital can provide a full workup, keep them up-to-date on vaccinations, and offer seasonal pet tips to help them be safe at home.

Ways to Interact with a Pet

Fall is a great time to start building new and healthy habits before the snows of winter arrive in the Southcoast area. Taking your dog out for walks, playing fetch in the backyard, or just enjoying a bit of a run around the house might be just what they need to perk them up after a long day of being alone in the house. Training exercises are great for people and pets, including obstacle courses and creative hide-and-seek games. Mental and physical stimulation are essential to help your pet to live a long and happy life. Not sure where to get started? Consider taking your pet for professional training, work with a local trainer, grab a book on ways to play intently with your pet, or watch some online videos.

Before taking your pet to a dog park or out for a walk where they may interact with other animals, make sure they are current with their vaccinations. Certain diseases can be shared between animals, including rabies and bordetella, also known as the dog flu. Preventives can also help reduce the risk of picking up fleas, ticks, and other parasitic pests while out on walks in nature or around the block. While these parasites can be an issue year-round, fall is particularly concerning, as they are searching for hosts before the winter weather arrives. It can be challenging to rid your home of fleas, and ticks are highly dangerous for pets and people, causing Lyme disease and other serious conditions. Visit your Dartmouth vet hospital and get a veterinary check-up to make sure your pet has protection against these potential problems.

Safe at Home Tips

With your pet spending more time at home alone, fall is also an excellent time to check the house for potential risks. Bunnies and puppies are known to chew on anything within reach. Consider keeping rabbits caged whenever you aren’t at home and protect puppies by creating a puppy-proof area in your home where they cannot get to electrical wires, wood cabinets, or anything else they might want to chew on without supervision. Dog crates can be extremely beneficial for training and safety, but you need to learn how to use them properly for positive results.

One way to pet-proof your home is to use the method recommended by child safety experts: crawl around the house on your hands and knees so you can see the world from their point of view. You will spot potential risks and things that should be fixed or covered that you might not have seen otherwise.

Each type of pet has different needs and requirements for their safety. Cats can climb and jump up high, so keeping a toxic plant on a high shelf won’t necessarily do the trick. Consider learning more about poisonous plants and remove them from your home. Even doors may not keep some pets away, as you can see many videos online of cats, dogs, and other pets figuring out how to open doorknobs so they can access other areas of the home. For more seasonal pet tips or to schedule a veterinary check-up at our Dartmouth vet hospital for your pets, give Anchor Animal Hospital a call at 508-996-3731.