You have a full-time job, you’re a full-time parent to your fur baby, and you’re worried about leaving your dog at home alone while you’re working. We’re sure you will agree that no home is complete without the pitter-patter of small feet (in this case, paws). However, being a paw parent comes with a lot of responsibility. Many South Africans work a 9-5 job and also want to be a great pet owner. If you’re asking if it’s possible to do both, we have the answer… Yes!
If you are willing to plan your free hours around your pet and put in the extra effort, it is possible to have a successful 9-5 and have a happy, well-behaved pet.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Read on to learn about 5 ways that you can manage a full-time job with a dog.
1. Create a comfortable home.
Leaving your dog at home alone can be hard on both of you, but if you create a dog-safe zone you can leave knowing that your pooch is relaxed and comfortable.
Tips to creating a comfy home:
- Ensure your pup has easy access to water and food throughout the day.
- Get to know your dog and provide them with the space they need. Some doggies prefer the comfort of a closed-off room, whilst others need to be able to roam around freely.
- Create a warm, cosy bed for your dog to snooze.
- Lastly, be sure to give your pup a place to go to the bathroom or you’ll come home to hidden surprises left around the house! Give your dog access to the garden, a grass pad, or place a newspaper on the floor (once the hard task of toilet training is done).
2. Keep your dog entertained.
Like humans, if a dog is left alone for a long period without entertainment it will become bored. This often leads to them acting out – cue dug up pot plants and chewed shoes.
To ensure that your beautiful couch cushions remain intact, it is very important to keep your precious pooch busy and stimulated while you’re at work.
Here are some ways to keep your dog busy at home:
- Invest in a puzzle toy: Puzzle toys provide mental stimulation and built-in rewards, and are likely to keep your dog busy for hours.
- Allow your dog outside: If you have a garden or courtyard, consider installing a doggie door so your pet can go outside regularly. If you can’t do this, then be sure to leave your curtains open so your pooch can look outside.
- Set up a scavenger hunt for your furry friend: Hide treats around the house, under the carpet, behind the door (think out-of-the-box) and make your pet search for their food!
3. Make time for a morning workout.
A morning exercise session will leave your pup snoozing during the day and tick one thing off your to-do list. It might be difficult to get up an hour earlier, but this is a great opportunity to spend some time with your precious pet and burn off energy that would otherwise be used up indoors (and most probably on your furniture!).
If a morning workout isn’t possible, then ensure to make time in the afternoon after work. A quick jog or play-time with your dog will leave both yourself and your pet ready for a good nights’ sleep.
Here are some fun ways to exercise your dog:
- Play fetch in your local park
- Go for a dog-friendly walk or a hike
- Go for a swim (if you have a capable doggie swimmer)
While you’re here, take a look at this: Top 5 Pawsome Dog Friendly Parks in Cape Town
4. Plan a day-time visit.
Break up the day and make a lunchtime stop at home to play and give your pooch some attention. This will help burn off your dog’s excess energy with a quick game of fetch and stop your pup from getting lonely with a few cuddles.
If your schedule and commute don’t allow a lunch break with your dog, then you have a few options:
- Consider hiring a local dog walker to stop by mid-day
- Look into enrolling your pet into a doggie day-care
- Or, if you have children, task them with daily doggie playtime. (This may be an opportunity for them to earn some extra pocket money!)
5. Finally, plan your finances.
Having a furry family member and working a 9-5 may cause you to open up your wallet more regularly, especially if you require the help of your neighbourhood dog walker or doggie day-care. Ensure that you budget for new toys, yummy dog treats, and most importantly, pet insurance.
Don’t be floored when you receive unexpected vet bills (which can be very expensive). Always be prepared and covered when your beloved dog needs the best health care with Oneplan Pet Insurance.
Read this: The Expert Guide to Oneplan’s Pawsome Pet Insurance Plans
Why Oneplan Pet Insurance?
It’s quite simple; they get that life is complicated, which is why they believe in making pet health insurance easy to understand, easy to apply and easy to use.
Here’s how they do pet insurance the pawfect way:
- You’ll receive quality insurance with extensive benefits: Oneplan instantly processes claims for vet visits and routine care.
- You’ll receive cover for accidents and illness (depending on your chosen plan).
- To top it off, clients receive up to 25% discount on all Onepet Premium Pet Store Products.
For the pricing of their pet insurance plans, click here.
Don’t feel guilty for having a full-time job. After all, it does put pebbles in your dog’s bowl! As long as you put the time and effort into ensuring your pup is happy and healthy, you can definitely work a 9-5 while safely and successfully leaving your dog at home alone.
