Do you leave your animal friend at home while you go to work to make money for toys, treats, and food? While all pets can be left for a little while, the length of time that an animal companion can stay home alone varies, depending on their age, species, and situation. And no matter how long you’re out for, it’s important to make sure your pet is comfortable, happy, and safe in the meantime. A Cherry Hill, NJ vet discusses leaving pets home alone in this article.
Stimulation
It can get pretty boring having nothing to do but stare at the walls all day. You may want to leave a radio playing. The sound of music and voices offers pets mental stimulation. It can also soothe them and keep them from feeling lonely.
Entertainment
Make sure your furred or feathered friend has plenty of toys to amuse themselves with. However, not all toys are safe for pets to use by themselves. Wand toys, for instance, should be put up when not in use, as they can be an entanglement risk. Ask your vet for tips on this.
Zoomies
This one’s for the dogs! Before leaving, take Fido for a vigorous walk, and play with him for a few minutes. The idea is to tire him out, so he spends a chunk of his alone time napping.
Remote Play
Did you know that you can play with your furry pal remotely, using an app and a laser pointer? This can be a cute way to check in with your dog or cat on your lunch break!
Basics
Taking a few small steps to keep your pet comfortable can really make a big difference. First and foremost? Keep your climate control running. Also, make sure your animal friend has plenty of clean water.
Companionship
Does your pet seem lonely? Consider getting them a buddy. Of course, this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution: it really depends on the household and pet. A playful kitten may be delighted to find herself with a new feline roommate. A cat that has always been an only pet? Not so much.
Helpers
You can also look into hiring a dog walker or pet sitter. These can be great for late nights at the office!
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