Back To School Blues: Help Your Pet Cope With Separation Anxiety

How to Help Your Dog or Cat Cope with Separation Anxiety This Fall. As families gear up for the back-to-school season, pets are often left behind to adjust to quiet homes and changed routines. For many dogs and cats, this abrupt transition can lead to stress, confusion, and separation anxiety. As creatures of habit, our pets thrive on consistency, and when schedules shift, like when children head back to school. It can leave them emotionally overwhelmed.

Whether you’re a working parent returning to the office or a caregiver concerned about your pet’s wellbeing, now is the ideal time to learn how to ease the back-to-school transition for your furry companions. With the help of pet professionals on Petworks, you can ensure that your dog or cat feels secure, loved, and supported. Even when the house is suddenly empty.

Why the Back-to-School Season Triggers Pet Anxiety

The end of summer means fewer hours spent at home with your pets. The once-busy household becomes quiet during school hours, and your dog or cat may find themselves alone for long stretches. This change often creates anxiety—especially in pets that are particularly bonded with family members.

Dogs and cats don’t understand why their humans are suddenly gone. They may interpret the shift as abandonment or loss, triggering emotional distress. Some pets even experience symptoms that resemble depression, while others become destructive or excessively clingy. Understanding the source of your pet’s stress is the first step in helping them adapt.

Common Signs of Separation Anxiety in Pets

Recognizing the signs of separation anxiety can help you intervene early. Here are common indicators to watch for:

• Vocalization: Excessive barking, whining, or howling after you’re gone.

• Destructive behavior: Chewing furniture, scratching doors, or digging at windows.

• Toileting issues: Accidents inside the house despite being potty trained.

• Restlessness: Pacing, panting, or inability to settle when left alone.

• Loss of appetite: Skipping meals or showing disinterest in treats.

• Excessive licking or grooming: Self-soothing behaviors, often focused on paws or tails.

If your dog or cat shows one or more of these signs, it may be time to take action by seeking the services of an expert animal behaviorist.

Are you finding this article useful? Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals throughout the United States? Sign up here for a free Petworks account, and we’ll email you a personal 10% discount code. Then take 10% off your first booking on us!

Tips to Help Your Pet Adjust to a New Routine

Preparing your pet ahead of time is key to preventing and reducing separation anxiety. Here’s how to help:

1. Gradually Adjust Their Schedule

Start implementing the fall routine now. Begin waking up and feeding your pets at the times you’ll use once school starts. Leave the house for short periods and gradually increase the time your pet spends alone.

2. Create a Predictable Daily Structure

Dogs and cats feel more secure when they know what to expect. Set consistent times for feeding, walks, and play. If the family is gone during the day, plan enrichment activities before and after school or work hours.

3. Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Interactive toys, puzzle feeders, or window perches can help keep your pet engaged while you’re gone. Leave safe chew toys or scent-based comfort items behind to help them self-soothe.

4. Consider Pet Sitting or Dog Walking Services

If your pet struggles to be alone for long hours, hire a certified pet sitter or dog walker on Petworks to check in during the day. A short visit can provide much-needed social interaction and bathroom breaks.

5. Avoid Dramatic Goodbyes

Long, emotional farewells can increase your pet’s stress. Instead, stay calm and neutral when leaving the house. Consider using treats or a favorite toy to help shift focus during your departure.

When to Seek Help from a Certified Animal Behaviorist

For pets with persistent or severe anxiety, professional guidance is often necessary. Certified animal behaviorists specialize in evaluating and modifying pet behavior through evidence-based methods. They work with dogs and cats to develop customized behavior plans that ease fear and increase confidence.

Behaviorists may recommend desensitization exercises, counter-conditioning, and positive reinforcement strategies to reshape your pet’s experience of being alone. By identifying the root cause of anxiety, these experts can help reduce destructive behavior, aggression, and panic symptoms.

You can browse, compare, and book certified animal behaviorists directly on Petworks for in-home or virtual sessions.

“If we stay calm and quiet, they do too… A lot of pet anxiety comes from changes to their households… It can also occur from a lack of routine and structure and not enough physical activity.” – Dr. Becky Peters, veterinarian and animal behavior expert at Bath Veterinary Hospital in Bath, NY.

“Dogs are incredibly responsive to our expressions, our body language and our scent. There is a feedback loop. The owners are nervous; the dog gets nervous. Our cortisol levels rise and fall in tandem.” – Frankie Jackson, veterinary nurse and animal behavior consultant at Canine Counseling, Smyrna, GA

Holistic Solutions to Calm an Anxious Pet

In addition to behavior training, holistic wellness services can help regulate your pet’s emotional state and support long-term calmness. On Petworks, pet parents can book:

1. Animal Reiki Sessions

Reiki for pets is a gentle, energy-based healing technique that promotes relaxation and emotional balance. It’s particularly useful for dogs and cats with anxiety, trauma histories, or nervous energy. Many practitioners offer remote sessions, which can be done from the comfort of your home.

2. Pet Massage Therapy

Certified animal massage therapists offer gentle bodywork that eases muscle tension and stimulates relaxation. Massage therapy is excellent for nervous pets, especially senior animals or those recovering from physical or emotional stress.

3. Homeopathic and Natural Remedies

Homeopathic practitioners can suggest remedies tailored to your pet’s temperament and symptoms. Natural solutions may include flower essences, calming herbs, or aromatherapy blends to reduce stress.

4. Custom Nutrition Counseling

A pet’s diet can affect their mood. Clinical pet nutritionists on Petworks can evaluate your dog’s or cat’s current food and recommend changes that support mental clarity, gut health, and stress reduction. Foods rich in omega-3s, for example, may reduce anxiety in pets.

The Importance of Enrichment and Connection

As your family returns to school and work, don’t underestimate the power of small, meaningful interactions with your pet. A 10-minute morning walk, a few minutes of evening play, or brushing your cat while watching TV can provide the connection and reassurance they crave.

Pets don’t need your attention 24/7. They just need to know they’re still an important part of the family.

Booking Pet Support Services with Confidence

Petworks makes it simple and safe to connect with pet professionals who specialize in anxiety relief and routine transitions. Whether you’re seeking a behaviorist, sitter, Reiki master, or pet massage therapist, Petworks allows you to:

• Browse verified providers

• Read real client reviews

• View pricing and availability

• Book services directly through the platform

You can search for pet professionals near you or find experts who offer remote, virtual, or phone consultations. Ideal for busy households.

Supporting Your Pet Through Seasonal Transitions

The back-to-school season brings exciting changes for families. But it can be a difficult time for pets who don’t understand where everyone went. Fortunately, with a little preparation and support from compassionate experts on Petworks, your dog or cat can transition into the fall season with calm and confidence.

By maintaining structure, providing enrichment, and booking professionals who care, you give your pet the tools they need to thrive. Even when you’re not home.

Is your pet ready for the fall schedule?

Explore and book trusted pet behaviorists, sitters, and holistic wellness pros on Petworks. Aand help your furry family members feel safe, supported, and stress-free all year long.

About Petworks

In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible. Dr. Marty’s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet parents in North America.

In 2022, Blue Buffalo Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.