Your Pets Daily - leaving dogs at home

The one room your dog should not be left alone in, according to a new study

Your Pets Daily Editor — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 07:59:30 +0000

A new study by comparethemarket.com reveals the rooms of the home where dogs feel the most settled when left alone
Dogs are most unsettled when left in the bedroom, with average heart rates rising by47.2%
Over a third 36% of dogs will be left home alone 3.5 days per week, for over 19 hours per working week

With the nation preparing for lockdown measures to ease, and dog paw-rents returning to the office more frequently, new research1 by comparethemarket.com has revealed that over a third of dogs 36% will be left home alone 3.5days per week, for over 5.7 hours per day.

When asked about their plans for their pooches, 27% of owners said that their dogs would spend their time at dog day care at an average cost of £15.80 per day. 35% will be left with a friend or family member.

Using heart rate monitors2, comparethemarket.com carried out a study on five different dog breeds, to find which locations make them feel the most at ease when home alone and which should be avoided.

Using the dogs' average resting heart rate of 68.2 BPM as a reference point, the research reveals that dogs' average heart rates were lowest in the kitchen/dining room 71.2 BPM, followed by the living room 71.8BPM , suggesting these are the rooms that dogs feel most comfortable in. In contrast, dogs were the most distressed when left in the bedroom 100.4 BPMand the porch 99.8BPM.

comparethemarket.com reveals the full results for each dog that took part in the experiment:

Pooch name	Breed	Avg. heart rate	Kitchen/dining room	Living room	Bedroom	Porch	Utility room
Milo	Jack Russell	59	60	63	103	99	82
Bertie	Poochon	69	71	72	89	98	96
Yogi	Cockapoo	66	70	69	91	101	98
Teddy	Cavapoo	75	79	72	108	103	97
Monty	Labrador	72	76	83	111	98	115
Total avg.	All five dogs	68.2	71.2	71.8	100.4	99.8	97.6

Expert opinion suggests that our pooches associate both the kitchen and living room as areas with positive outcomes; they eat their meals in the kitchen, and the living room is a space for dogs to snuggle up with their owners either on the couch or at their feet, or where they enjoy playing.

Dr Heather Venkat explains: "Dogs may become confused if left in the bedroom as they know their owners only use this space for sleep. Additionally, some dogs don't like confined spaces and therefore areas such as your porch may make them feel more uncomfortable than the kitchen or living room."

Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, concludes: "For many, leaving your dog home alone when you're at work is unavoidable, but it is important to both make sure they're comfortable. Sometimes damage from leaving your pet at home comes with the territory so you should check your home insurance plan to ensure you're covered.

"A fifth 20% of pet owners1 risk having their insurance claim rejected because their insurance providers aren't aware they have a dog at home. As we know, pets can cause damage in our homes which may cost a lot of money to fix. Therefore it's important to check which provider extends their cover to include animals. The best place to check is in the accidental damage section of the policy. Read what is and isn't covered and look at whether 'damage caused by pets' is excluded."

To learn more about our research, or for our expert tips on helping your dog cope with separation anxiety once you head back to work, head across to: https://www.comparethemarket.com/home-insurance/content/dog-proof-your-home/.

Home Alone - Tips for owners of lockdown dogs facing time alone for the first time

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 09:59:39 +0000

Lockdown Dogs Facing Spending Time Alone for First Time

The pandemic saw a huge rise in pet ownership, going from 41% of households to 59%[1] in just one year. Dogs remain the most popular choice. Furlough, home working, limits on outdoor activities and loneliness all contributed to the rise. However, the imminent return to the office, for most people (at least part time), means that many of these pampered pooches will be facing extended periods of alone time for the first time, while others may find themselves accompanying their owners to work. Vet Dr Joe Inglis, from home-cooking platform VetChef.com, explains how you can help your dog through this huge change in his or her life.

Joe advised; “Dogs are pack animals and can be distressed if suddenly left for long periods of time. It’s important to prepare for and manage the separation. The extension of the lockdown gives you the time you need.”

Joe’s top tips for preparing for the separation:

There will be fierce competition for dog walkers. Book yours now as a whole day without exercise, or the chance to use the toilet, is too much to expect from your dog.
Start leaving your animal alone for a short time now. Gradually build to longer periods.
Crates are not recommended for dogs over long periods (such as the typical working day). However if you intend to use a crate for your dog for some of the time, start by leaving the crate door open and fill the crate with their bed and favourite toys so they learn to see the crate as a place of comfort and security. Once they’re happy in the crate, shut them in for short periods with food and give them lots of rewards and attention when they come out.
Adapt your routine to what it will be when you start work. E.g. Walk your dog at the beginning and end of the day so they get used to the idea of less activity in the middle of the day.

We can also expect to see a rise in dogs coming to work. If you intend to take your dog to the office Joe advises:

Only consider it if your boss and other employees are happy for you to do so. Check no-one has an allergy. How many other people will be bringing in dogs? Are there times people would rather the dog was not there (e.g. client meetings)?
Make sure your dog is very well trained. No-one wants a dog in the office if there is a risk of them barking at the wrong time or jumping up on visitors. You may think it’s adorable; most people won’t and you’ll find yourself very unpopular.
Does the dog sit quietly at your feet while you work, or does it often distract you? An office is a fascinating place for a dog, full of lots of interesting smells and people. If the dog is not chilled at home, it will not be calm in your office and you and everyone else will find it very distracting.
Check there is somewhere safe nearby for the dog to exercise and relieve itself.
Check that the dog is happy travelling. Some are terrified of getting on trains. Take the dog for a couple of trial runs, where you can go in for an hour and straight back home again, without any pressure on either of you.

Whether at home or in an office Joe advises that diet is far more important than most people realise: “We now know that if you feed a child nothing but processed food it can result in behavioural problems. The same is true with dogs. A well-fed dog, getting fresh food and the right nutrients, will be happier and healthier and far less likely to resort to destructive behaviour.”

Dog owners are increasingly moving to a fresh diet for their pets as companies, like VetChef, with their team of specialist dog nutritionists, make it easy and hassle free.

Joe explained; “Feeding fresh homemade food is very straightforward and cost effective. You just need to make sure you get the nutritional balance right. That’s why we offer free recipes, tailored to different dogs, together with supplements. The cooking steps are quick and easy - little more than getting all your ingredients and simmering them together in a pan. Dogs are not interested in presentation, so it’s all about taste and texture!”

Joe concluded: “As a vet I know the huge impact that an improved diet will have on the happiness and well-being of dogs. It is therefore the single most important part of the transition for our beloved pets as we come out of lockdown. VetChef is here to help.”

Your Pets Daily - leaving dogs at home

The one room your dog should not be left alone in, according to a new study

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Home Alone - Tips for owners of lockdown dogs facing time alone for the first time

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