Back to school

Kids heading back to school means a sudden schedule change for your pet too, and that shift, combined with backpacks and lunch boxes suddenly appearing in the house, creates two separate risks worth planning for. Pets who have grown used to a full house all summer can struggle with being home alone more often, and school supplies left within reach can expose dogs and cats to foods and items that are toxic if swallowed.

At Pawtown Veterinary Care, late summer is when we field the most questions about pets adjusting poorly to the new school year routine. A few proactive steps in the weeks before school starts can make the transition considerably easier for your dog or cat.

Helping Your Pet Adjust to Being Home Alone More Often

Ease Into the New Schedule

Pets that got used to having people home more often over the summer can have a hard time adjusting once school starts back. Ease your pet into the change by leaving them home alone for short periods in the final weeks of summer, then gradually increase that time as the first day of school approaches. A predictable schedule for departures and returns helps your pet learn that being alone is temporary rather than something to fear.

Keep Them Busy While You’re Away

Puzzle toys, treat-filled toys, and background noise from music or the television can keep boredom at bay during the day. Make sure your pet is still getting regular exercise, since a walk in the morning and again at the end of the day burns off energy that would otherwise turn into restlessness. A pet sitter or daycare is worth considering if your pet needs more activity or company than your new schedule allows.

Recognizing Separation Anxiety

Occasional restlessness during the adjustment period is normal, but the American Animal Hospital Association notes that true separation anxiety looks different, with signs such as destructive chewing near doors and windows, prolonged howling or barking, and accidents in a normally house-trained pet. Gradual desensitization, where you practice leaving for a few minutes at a time before working up to longer absences, tends to work far better than suddenly returning to a full school-day schedule overnight. If your dog or cat is already showing these signs, our post on separation anxiety and noise phobias covers a more detailed, step-by-step approach.

Backpack and Lunch Box Hazards

Toxic Foods and Snacks

Grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate, and xylitol, a sugar substitute found in sugar-free gum and some snacks, are all toxic to pets. According to the ASPCA, poison control centers see a real increase in calls related to backpacks and lunch boxes every fall, since these bags often sit within easy reach of a curious dog or cat. Some cold packs also contain ethylene glycol or ammonium nitrate, both of which can potentially be toxic if punctured and ingested, so lunch boxes need to stay out of reach rather than left on a low table or floor.

Hidden Dangers in School Supplies

Plastic bags and snack wrappers pose a suffocation risk if pets play with them unsupervised, and leftover food at the end of the school day deserves a quick check, since fruit peels, pits, and cores can cause an intestinal obstruction. School supplies such as pencils, pens, and erasers may cause an upset stomach or a blockage if chewed and swallowed, and charging cords can cause an electrical injury if chewed while plugged in. Medications kids may carry, including inhalers, ADHD medication, or over-the-counter pain relievers, can potentially be seriously toxic to a pet who gets into a backpack.

What to Do if Your Pet Gets Into Something

If you suspect your pet has swallowed something toxic or potentially dangerous, do not wait to see if symptoms appear. Our urgent care team can evaluate your pet during business hours, and after hours our emergency vet team in Bend is available for anything that cannot wait until morning. Having the packaging or a description of what your pet ingested ready to share with our team can help us determine the right next step quickly.

A Few Precautions Before the School Year Starts

A short list of habits can prevent most back-to-school incidents before they happen:

• Designate a specific spot for backpacks and lunch boxes that is out of reach, such as a hook or shelf your pet cannot access.
• Practice short absences in the final weeks of summer so the return to a full school-day schedule feels familiar rather than sudden.
• Set out puzzle toys or a treat-filled toy each morning so your pet has something productive to do during the first stretch of alone time.

None of these steps take much time, but they can prevent a stressful call to our office during the first week of school.

Keep Your Pet Comfortable This School Year at Pawtown Veterinary Care

Our team has helped Bend families navigate every back-to-school season, from first-time puppy owners to pets who have done this transition many times before. We look at your pet’s behavior and routine at every visit, not just their physical health.

If you have concerns about how your pet is adjusting this fall, or if you suspect they got into something they should not have, contact us or ask about our same-day appointments so your pet can be seen quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Back-to-School Pet Safety