As summer dwindles and the kids go back to school, our southeast Michigan pet parents (and human parents!) know that things are about to get even busier. We’ve got 4 Back to School Tips for Pet Parents to make sure that your pets stay happy and comfortable during the transition. At Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies, we are always looking to improve what we can do and build on being the best place to buy pet supplies in the Ann Arbor and Chelsea areas, so we love to offer tips, resources, advice, and extra knowledge whenever we can!
4 Back to School Tips
for Pet Parents
1. Keep your Pets Active
Things are going to change a lot when the kids go back to school, especially everybody’s schedules. After months of having everybody home during the day, your pets may get some separation anxiety now that all of that extra attention they’ve been receiving has dried up a bit. Stressed pets alone at home can result in negative behaviors such as accidents, whining, destructive behaviors, hiding, or otherwise.
Southeast Michigan pet parents can help prevent and avoid these by ensuring that pets stay on a standardized schedule, even if it is a bit different or less than what they’ve been getting. For dogs, regular walks in the morning and evening will keep them satisfied. See if the kids can help if you as a parent are feeling overworked!
Scheduled play dates, regular time at the dog park, or some new toys or canine enrichment activities from your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118) can be a good way to keep the fur family happy. 2.
2. Be Wary of Easy Snacks
Kids coming home and friends stopping by the house means an introduction of a bit more chaos into your home! Backpacks and lunch bags, casually thrown on the ground or on a low table, are a big temptation and danger for your pets. Both cats and dogs can easily get into foods that they would find delicious and unfortunately poisonous.
Make sure your childen understand the potential dangers and educate them of the importance of keeping bags zipped and out of reach of curious pets. As a parent, upgrading to a sturdier (metal-based) lunchbox from paper bags not only improves your impact on the environment but prevents tempting smells and foods from being noticed by hungry pets.
3. Don’t Let your Pets Slip Out
The morning and afternoon stampedes out and in the door can be crazy. In the midst of all the comings and goings, it can be easier for pets to slip outside.
Keep an eye on your pets and make sure that they stay safely indoors during the rush. Your local Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies stores in Ann Arbor (2270 W. Stadium Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI, 48103) or Chelsea (1192 S. Main St, Chelsea, MI, 48118) can help you find the best crate, gates, or leashes that can help pet parents keep your pets indoors or at least tethered outside while the kids head off to class!
4. Pack Things Away to Save Expenses
With your dog at home alone all day, it’s only natural that their senses of curiosity will overcome their boredom. They’ll wander around and might find that t-shirt you left on the floor, or that charging cable that was forgotten plugged in by the ground, or some cash lying about.
Expensive replacements can be avoided simply by ensuring that these items aren’t lying around when you leave the house as some of these can be irresistable new “toys” for your pets once they’ve got all of this new time on their paws.
Teaching your kids (or your spouse!) to pack away all of their belongings can save you some tears and frustration in the future!
Conclusion
As our southeast Michigan pet parents get back into the swing of things during the school year, we hope these back to school tips for pet parents help calm the waters a bit. We also hope they’ll keep your pets happy as we swing into September and beyond. See you next time at Ann Arbor and Chelsea’s best place for pet supplies soon!