Like us, animals can be disturbed by rest. Dr. Laetitia Barlerin and the 30 Million Friends Foundation give you several tips to reduce your partner’s stress at the start of the school year.
Excerpt from the show 30 Million Friends
Deterioration, loss of appetite, uncleanliness… There are many signs that can indicate a certain discomfort in your pet after returning from vacation. But don’t panic: he just has the blues! The start of the school year, like for humans, brings with it a certain change of pace and habits. Small traumas that are easy to decipher and treat in everyday life.
Give him time
Whether he accompanied you on vacation or you hosted him for a while while you were away, these two situations have one thing in common: you disrupted his daily routine. And returning home is no exception to the rule of disrupting the little routine! The consequences of this dismay then become clearly visible: ” The dog no longer eats, no longer plays, is not interested in anything, spends the day licking itself or sleeping, reports Dr. Laetitia Barlerin. We also observe animals destroying the garden, chewing, drilling holes… In reality, they are trying to keep themselves busy. »
Our own changed habits are also the cause of the disturbances. The animal does not understand why we do not go to work or why the children go back to school. He is used to being by our side almost all the time, on vacation or teleworking – which has been exacerbated by the health crisis – and suddenly he is alone. The misunderstanding is great. If the animal has stayed in a kennel, it is a joy to find his master again. But here too, with the resumption of activities, he suffers again from our absence: ” For example, you should extend the length of your dog’s walk or allow your cat more play and cuddle sessions. » advises Dr. Barlerin. The anxiety symptoms should then disappear.
Prepare him for his return
” We are organizing the return of children to school, why shouldn’t we prepare for our animals? » asks Laetitia Barlerin. The actions are very simple: “ A week before the end of your vacation, leave your pet alone for an hour so that it can get used to your absence. When you get home, hide the cat’s food in the apartment and buy it a new toy! Find a new place for your dog to walk, a park, a forest that he doesn’t know. » It is important to eliminate the feeling of abandonment that overcomes the animal when it is time to go back to school.
If he refuses to eat, do not be dramatic: he will not allow himself to starve. On the other hand, nothing prevents you from adding a little more tasty dishes to his usual croquettes: cheese, fish, cold cuts… in an unusual way, of course. The appetite should return gradually. Give your pet time to get used to his “old” life again.
If there is no improvement after 15 days, a visit to the vet is necessary. He will then resort to light treatment: ” Animals recover very quickly if we help them », concludes Dr. Laetitia Barlerin.
Video: © 30 Million Friends
Photo: © Fotolia.com