Paws and Claws: Keeping pets safe in a new back-to-school schedule

by Cindy Anderson, DVM

After spending an entire summer with the whole family together, your dog or cat may be affected by the abrupt change in routine once your kids go back to school. Not only will they have to deal with a new schedule, but there are safety concerns to take into consideration for pets at home alone. Here are some tips for making a smooth back-to-school transition.

Help ease your pet into changing their routine by practicing separation early. Leave your pet home alone for short periods of time and gradually increase the time you’re away over several weeks. Make sure to stay calm and not make a big fuss when leaving home as this can increase your pet’s anxiety.

Consider what changes there will be to your pet’s routine. Will mealtimes be changing? Will you need to take your dog on a walk earlier in the morning? Will there be longer periods of time in between your dog’s bathroom breaks? Try to mimic the same routine you will have once your children return to school. For instances where your pet cannot wait long between bathroom breaks, you may want to consider hiring a dog walker or a pet sitter.

Continue to make sure your pet is getting enough exercise throughout the day. Physical activity is incredibly important for a pet’s physical and mental health, so aim to get up a bit earlier in order to allow time for a long walk or play session with your pet.

Give your pet a treat or toy when you leave. This will create a positive association with your departure and help curb the boredom for when you are gone. You can give your pet an interactive activity, such as hiding bits of food around the home, filling a Kong with small treats, or sprinkling a toy with catnip. As your pet may not be used to the silence of an empty home, it also can be helpful to have background noise or music playing while you are gone. Here are some tips on keeping your pet safe as the kids go back to school. For many, a new school year means the return of the long-standing lunchtime debate: pack or buy? Many of the healthy foods or convenience items we use to pack lunches are great for kids, but not for pets.

 Pay attention to what you’re packing. Some school lunch favorites are grapes and raisins, which are toxic to pets. Other dangerous items for pets that often find their way to lunchboxes include macadamia nuts, chocolate, and items that contain xylitol (found often in chewing gum or sugar-free candies).

Use caution with cold packs. They are great to keep your child’s sandwich cool for lunch, but the contents in a cold pack can be toxic to your pet. Some ice packs contain ethylene glycol or ammonium nitrate, which are extremely dangerous if ingested.

Beware of bags. Chip bags and other plastic snack bags can present a suffocation risk for your pet. When a pet explores the leftovers, their head can become stuck and when they breathe in, the bag closes in around their mouth and nose. According to the AVMA, pets can suffocate in less than five minutes. (www.avma.org/javma-news/2018-05-15/snack-bags-pose-suffocation-risk-pets) You also can cut or tear bags before putting them in the trash in case your pet finds a way to the trash can.

Watch what’s left after lunch. Banana and orange peels, apple cores, milk or cheese products, or other food remnants that didn’t make it to the garbage at school can create dangerous blockages if ingested. Foods that transition into science experiments also can present a problem. Moldy foods can contain fungal neurotoxins that can make your pet very ill.

Make sure lunchboxes are emptied at school or that they make it to a safe location when your child returns home. Dispose of any garbage or leftovers right away in trash bins that are not accessible to pets. Backpacks can contain hidden dangers. Back-to-school time also can lead to the return of backpacks on the floor or by the door. Our pets can be curious and persistent.

Mind the medications. ADHD medications, albuterol inhalers, and even over-the-counter pain relief medications (NSAIDs and acetaminophen) can be dangerous for pets. These items may be in a backpack for easy access during the school day, but human medications should not be shared with pets.

Guard your gum. As mentioned earlier, sugar-free gum often contains xylitol, which is dangerous for pets. Xylitol can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, or even death. This caution extends to any sugar-free mints or candies that might be lurking in your child’s backpack.

Set aside school supplies. Pencils, pens, erasers, and other bite-sized school supplies can be tempting if you have a pet who likes to chew. Broken, sharp pieces of pencils, pens, and other items can damage your pet’s gastrointestinal tract or cause an obstruction if swallowed. In general, ink from pens or markers is not toxic unless ingested in very large amounts. However, it could create quite a mess to clean up.

Use caution with cords. Computer electrical cords can present a danger if your pet chews on a cord while it’s plugged in, or pets could get themselves caught in the cord.

Your pet’s health and safety are our top priorities, and we hope these tips help you avoid a back-to-school pet emergency. We know that despite our best efforts, accidents can happen. If your pet is experiencing an emergency—or you just want more back-to-school safety tips—contact our staff and myself, Dr. Cindy Anderson, at Lakelands Trail Veterinary Clinic, 4525 S. M-52, Stockbridge, MI 49285, 517-655-5551.

Cindy Anderson, DVM

Cindy Anderson, DVM,  is a graduate of MSU Veterinary College (1992) and has practiced veterinary medicine for over 28 years.