Chronic loneliness and social isolation are not only debilitating for humans; dogs and cats can also suffer the psychological, and perhaps even physical, impacts of spending too much time alone and not emotionally connecting or engaging on a regular basis.
Pet loneliness, which differs from separation anxiety, can manifest from a new or temporary situation triggered by changes like moving to a new home, a teenager going off to college, or a significant schedule alteration for the owner. More worrying, it can be a long-term problem caused by prolonged seclusion—a situation that, unfortunately, becomes a way of life for many of our nation’s four-legged family members.
There is debate about whether the research on chronic loneliness, proven to directly impede both the mental and physical health of humans—linked to conditions like dementia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and potentially lethal heart disease— applies to pets in similar ways.
More certainly, lonely pets can be unhappy, bored, and lethargic. This often leads to a variety of unsavory behaviors and dissatisfaction for all involved. The more social the pet’s nature, the higher the probability that problems will be present and persist.
To help keep America’s dogs and cats more stimulated and satisfied during “alone time,” here are five tips on how to avoid pet loneliness:
Exercise a pet before exiting.
As close as possible to the time you leave your pets alone, give them a physical workout. Take your dog on a brisk walk or play a game of fetch, and play a game of laser tag or “chase the string” with your cat. This exercise will tire and calm your pets physically so they can utilize the alone time to catch up on rest and recuperation. It also exhilarates them emotionally, fostering a healthier state of mind.
Arrange regular midday visits.
The best-case scenario is when an owner can come home at least once during the business day, perhaps for lunch, to spend a little quality time with Fido or Felix. Those whose schedules or commutes don’t always allow for this should consider hiring a professional dog walker or pet sitter who can provide regular affection, companionship, socialization, and exercise for your furry friend when you’re away.
Provide engaging play toys.
Leave your pets’ favorite toys out so they can entertain themselves in your absence. Inserting or freezing treats in stuffable food toys is one way to provide a mental challenge. There are also puzzle game treat dispensers on the market that encourage a dog’s natural foraging behavior by stimulating their sense of smell. Dogs learn to lift the compartment covers and rotate the toy to retrieve the hidden treats, keeping them happy and engaged. There are also a bevy of fun and challenging play-alone activity toys for cats available like motorized wands, automatic cat teasers and even a scampering self-correcting mouse that automatically moves to engage natural hunting instincts.
Capitalize on sensory stimulants.
Be it an outdoor shady and well-protected space in the yard where your pet can watch birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, watching Animal Planet on TV, or seeing or hearing you through a web-connected device at certain times of the day, there are many ways to ensure your pet has entertainment and peace-of-mind while you are away.
Find a furry friend.
Many pets enjoy spending time with other animals, whether or not they are the same breed or type of pet. Many dogs and cats play quite well together. A common solution is to adopt a second pet as a companion for your dog or cat, but if that isn’t a viable option, arrange pet playdates. Perhaps you have a friend or family member’s pet over one day, and alternate so the other party takes your pet on other days. Of course, take the time to consider how your pet would react to this and what kind of companion pet is ideal. Optimally, do a test run over multiple hours with you on location to observe the interactions and behaviors before leaving the two animals “home alone” together.
Avoiding, rectifying, or reversing a pet’s state of loneliness can have tremendous and immediate benefits for the animal and the household at large. Following even a few of the tips above will greatly improve your pet’s quality of life.
Paul Mann is the Founder and CEO of Fetch! Pet Care—the nation’s largest franchisor for professional pet sitting, dog walking, and pet fitness/exercise services—serving thousands of pets and pet parents throughout the United States. He can be reached via FetchPetCare.com.
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