Leaving your pet at home when you return to work

Recently added a new furry family member? Found yourself at home more often with an older pet? It’s important to think about how a return to work might impact your pets.

Cats and dogs have different needs but they both need to feel loved and looked after as you begin to leave home for longer periods.

Preparing your pet for your absence

There are several things you can do to help your cat or dog prepare for a more solitary life at home:

1. Start leaving your house more frequently

The key is to start small. You can try standing outside your front door for 30 seconds. Then build up to sitting in your car for a few minutes or walking around the block.

This is so your pet gets used to spending time at home without you.

Gradually increase the amount of time you spend away from home. This way, you'll reassure your pets that you’ll always come back.

2. Get into a routine

Older pets have probably forgotten their pre-pandemic routines. Likewise, pets that were bought during lockdown may have never experienced life without you around all day.

To help your pets adjust, establish a routine in advance. The idea is to create a routine that's similar to the one they'll experience when you return to work.

Set feeding and walking times that will work when you're back in the office. Adjust to these new times gradually rather than all of a sudden. You can even try wearing your uniform or work clothes or carrying your work bag.

3. Reduce on-tap cuddles

This one is hard, but you do need to reduce your interactions with your pet before you return to work. This is to wean them from the constant affection they’ve been used to and to set boundaries for yourself too.

Try scheduling interactions with your cat or dog - think about when you’ll be able to stroke and play with them when you’re back at work

Rather than ignoring your companion completely, offer them a toy or a bed to comfort them instead

Consider keeping your cat or dog in a separate room - as always, start for small periods before building up

4. Give your pet enrichment and mental stimulation

To keep your pets occupied, invest in some pet-friendly toys. You can pick up old favourites like chew toys and “soft mice”, or look out for more entertaining puzzle games. The cleverly designed gadgets hide treats behind paw-friendly locks to keep pets entertained for hours.

You can get treat-dispensing balls and tubes designed to encourage slower eating and hone your pet’s mental and physical skills.

5. Monitor your pet

Placing cameras around the home can help you keep an eye on your pets while you’re at work. Look out for any signs that they’re stressed or missing your company.

Many devices come with apps so you can watch your cat or dog in real-time. Some have a two-way chat function so you can talk to your companion and listen out for any unusual howls or noises.

With the more advanced systems, you can tap your smartphone to release a scent to calm your pet, or a treat to reward them for good behaviour.

Spotting signs of stress and separation anxiety in your pet

Signs of stress and separation anxiety in dogs

Common signs of stress in dogs include:

Pacing or shaking

Biting themselves

Shedding hair or fur

Whining or barking

Raising their paws

Excessive panting

Tail between legs

Lip licking

Pinned back ears

Yawning

The signs above aren't always linked to loneliness. Dogs can also show signs of stress when they are scared, frustrated or bored. Always check in with your vet as soon as possible.

However, if your dog is experiencing separation anxiety they may be:

Pacing and displaying other repetitive behaviour

Howling and barking

Excessive toileting

Trembling

Vomiting and coprophagia (eating of own faeces)

Destroying household items - particularly the door you left the house from

Signs of stress and separation anxiety in cats

Common signs of stress in cats include:

Hiding more than usual

Becoming less tolerant of people

Overeating

Diarrhoea

Bald patches and body sores

Runny noses and eyes

Eating non-food items

Poor appetite

Sleeping more than usual

Fluctuating weight

Blood in urine

The signs above aren't always linked to loneliness. Like dogs, cats may be stressed for many reasons. Always check in with your vet as soon as possible.

However, if your cat is experiencing separation anxiety, they may be:

More vocal than usual

Refusing to eat

Toileting outside of their litter tray

Following you from room to room

Being aggressive towards people

Sleeping more than usual

Very alert

Is it cruel to leave my pet while I'm at work?

Pets can become stressed when they’re left at home for extended periods. They can harm themselves, damage objects around them and become less tolerant of their owners too.

Unlike other types of stress, symptoms of separation anxiety appear when you leave the home; even just moments after you leave.

If you know that your cat or dog will be regularly left alone you can try breaking up their day.

Is it possible to visit your pet during your lunch break?

Could a friend or family member visit your pet?

Could you invest in a professional dog walker or cat sitter?

How long can you leave pets alone?

There’s no set amount of time that you can leave dogs or cats alone. Like us, all animals are different but studies can give us a rough idea.

Dogs

Dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours a day.

Puppies shouldn’t be left alone at all, while young dogs up to the age of five can be left for a couple of hours.

Cats

General opinion is that adult cats are happy to be left alone for anywhere between eight and 48 hours.

However, recent studies have found that cats build strong and complex bonds with their owners. So you may not want to leave them for that long.

Not yet covered by John Lewis Pet Insurance?

For peace of mind for your dog or cat, we offer lifetime cover and 24-hour access to the vetfone™ advice service.

Insure your pet today by calling us on 0330 102 2490 or get a quote online.

Our Pet Insurance

Get a quote

Recommended guides

John Lewis Money, John Lewis Finance and John Lewis Insurance are trading names of John Lewis plc. Registered office: 1 Drummond Gate, Pimlico, London SW1V 2QQ. Registered in England and Wales (Registered company number: 233462).

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative (Financial Conduct Authority number 416011) of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd.

John Lewis Pet Insurance is underwritten by Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Ltd (No: 93792). Registered in England and Wales at St. Mark's Court, Chart Way, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1XL. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register No: 202323).

Customer support

Customer support

Customer support

Customer support

Preparing your pet for your absence