Over 50% of the eligible U.S. population has now been vaccinated for COVID-19. As people begin to think about returning to the workplace, there's a concern that many pets will experience separation anxiety.
Naturalist Sy Montgomery spoke to Boston Public Radio on Thursday about helping our pets adjust when we return to work.
"If you're going to go back to work and you have a little notice, try to do it gradually," she said. "For all of us, it's really hard to go from being with the person you love the most to never seeing them all day, so try to do it slowly."
Montgomery also recommends that you ensure your pet has something to do all day while you're gone. "Have someone come over and visit, or get an interactive toy, or try to come home for your lunch break at first," she said.
Experts think that dogs tells time by smell and the way that odors decay, Montgomery noted.
"So one thing that's helpful if you're going to leave is to leave them a piece of your clothing that smells like you, and often that will help," she said.
Dogs aren't the only pets that can develop separation anxiety, Montgomery added.
"This is true for your cat, for your birds. Even the penguins at the zoo miss having people come to visit them," she said. "Animals get used to a situation, and they enjoy being with us like we enjoy being with them."
Montgomery's latest book is Becoming A Good Creature.
