The UK is a nation of animal lovers. In 2023, 12 million dogs and 11 million cats were living in UK homes. But how many of us are happy about going away and leaving our pets behind?
Saying goodbye to your dog, cat, rabbit or even your indoor birds before you go on holiday can be tough for some people – even if it is just for a few days. But it doesn’t need to be stressful or sad.
If you prepare in advance to make sure your pet will be properly looked after, you can ease separation anxiety on both sides. And that’s where we can help. Here are four ways to prepare for time away from your pet.
EASY AS HACK
Look out for signs of anxiety in your pet, which can include destructive behaviour and not eating.
AT A GLANCE
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1. Educate yourself on pet separation anxiety
You’re not the only one who’ll be feeling separation anxiety before you go away. According to the RSPCA, eight out of 10 dogs find it hard to cope when left alone, yet half won't show any obvious signs. So, how do you know your pet is feeling anxious or stressed?
Signs of anxiety in dogs
It can be hard for dog owners to know if their dog is anxious but there are some signs to look out for, including:
- Destructive behaviour, including chewing and destroying furniture (often near exits, doors or windows)
- Howling, barking or whining
- Toileting (weeing or pooing)
- Excessive excitement upon your return
- Repetitive behaviour, such as circling, pacing and barking
- Not eating (meals, treats or engaging with food toys) when you're out
Signs of anxiety in cats
According to Cats Protection, signs of stress in cats aren’t always obvious, but can include:
- Reluctance to use the litter tray
- Eating or drinking less
- Scratching furniture
- Overgrooming
- Hissing, growling or excessive meowing
If your dog or cat is showing signs of separation anxiety, you need to make sure you’re not leaving them behind without a plan.
Here are some of the options.
2. Keep them in their environment
We all have our safe spaces and the same applies to animals. So try your best to keep pets in their own environment when you go away.
This helps keep things as familiar as possible and means your pet doesn’t have to get used to being somewhere unfamiliar, which could stress them out.
It also means less worry for you as you know where your pet will be.
Have a family member or friend help out
Leaving your pet in the care of someone else can make some pet owners anxious, but you can ease your anxiety by leaning on a trusted family member or friend.
Ask them if they’re able to spare a few days to stay in your home while you’re away, or whether they’d be able to look after your pet in their own home. If they’ve been around your pet before, that’s even better as they’ll know what to expect.
3. Explore animal boarding
If you don’t want, or can’t find a pet sitter, you’ll need to send your pet to a cattery, kennel or other animal boarding service. You’ll need some time to do your research.
Ask family and friends for recommendations, reach out to other pet owners on social media and ask them for the best boarding options. And always make sure you visit before you make a decision.
Not sure what to look out for when choosing animal boarding? Here’s a few key things to consider:
- Licence – do they have an up-to-date licence?
- Insurance cover – do they have this in case your pet needs emergency care?
- Good facilities – are facilities clean and secure? Do the animals look clean, happy and healthy?
- Social contact – will the staff spend time with your pet each day and give them the social contact they need?
- Monitoring – do they have a suitable system to monitor pets during days and nights?
- Separation – they'll need to keep predator and prey species separately to prevent stress
- Vaccination - do they ask for proof of vaccination? This is important to stop the spread of contagious diseases
- Number of staff – are there enough people to look after all the animals?
- Asking the right questions – do they ask about your pet's diet, health or nature?
- Medical issues – can they accommodate any medical issues your pet has?
leave clear instructions
Give whoever is caring for your pet instructions on how to look after them. Include:
- The name, number of your vet and an emergency contact for you
- Details of your pet's usual routine and the importance of trying to stick to this as much as possible
- Their usual food and treats with feeding instructions
- Familiar-smelling items – if your pet isn't staying in your home, provide them with something like a blanket or a worn item of your clothing. This’ll help them feel more comfortable
- Health information – if and when they may need any medication and how to administer it
- Exercise needs – details of how and when to exercise your pet
Once you’re satisfied that you’ve found the best place for your pet, you’ll be able to relax and focus on enjoying your holiday.
