Leaving Pets Home Alone Can Be Risky Business
Written by: Jorie Green Mark, Editor-in-Chief

There is no more tempting time for a quick weekend jaunt to the beach or the mountains than in the early spring. The days are growing longer, the sun is shining more brightly, and after a long, dull winter, who isn't itching to escape out of town for a few days?

But before you throw a change of clothes into the backseat and head off for the horizons, don't forget about the dog or cat you are leaving behind at home. A 48-hour excursion may not seem like a very long time, but it is exactly long enough for your pet to get into trouble, experts say.

"We don't recommend that an animal go a whole weekend without human contact," said Dug Hanbicki of the Humane Society of the United States. "If something should happen, even if it's something as minor as them knocking over a water bowl, they'd be without water for a whole weekend and could possibly die."

Added Andrea Arden, behavior columnist for Dog Fancy magazine and the author of On The Road With Your Pet: "While many [leave their pets alone for the weekend], especially with cats, and the animals are fine, it takes just one time when the pet needs medical care, or when a storm hits and the animal panics, for people to learn why this is a risky proposition."

Fear of the worst-case scenario is not the only reason why animal owners should make arrangements for their pets while they are out of town. Dr. Bob Andrysco, a pet behavior specialist who wrote Tricks I Taught My Master, noted that it may take only a few days without supervision to undo the discipline that owners and animal trainers have worked for months to achieve.

"There are situations where people have left their dog alone for a weekend and they reported destructive behavior like soiling and excessive barking for days or weeks afterward," he said.

A dog left free to roam the house for just one weekend can wreak havoc on the furniture, Dr. Andrysco added.

"Dogs are very social animals and need interaction," he explained. "If they don't receive that, they're going to entertain themselves, so you could come home to find a hole in the carpet or other damage."

And, quipped Dr. Andrysco: "I've never met a dog that was trained to use a litterbox."

But don't let images of soiled rugs and dehydrated kittens keep you from taking that much-deserved vacation. According to Ms. Hanbicki, there are several solutions for pet owners who want to ensure their animal companion's safety while exploring life beyond the city limits.

"A pet sitter is always excellent option -- we recommend someone who you trust, like a neighbor, or someone who is bonded and licensed to care for pets," she said. "If you leave animals at home as long, have someone check in on them at least several times a day, depending on what kind of pet it is."

Cats, said Dr. Andrysco, are generally lower maintenance pets than their canine counterparts and need less constant supervision.

"You can leave the cat home alone unless the cat has some history of a severe behavioral problem," he said. "Cats aren't as social as dogs, so the lack of interaction won't hurt them as much, but I would suggest that you have a neighbor come in and check to make sure it has fresh food and water and that it hasn't fallen into the toilet or anything."

Animals with special needs, however, may need extra care.

"With younger animals, you want to give as much social interaction as possible during their formative years, so it's either better to bring the pet to someone's house or have them come stay at your house," Ms. Hanbicki explained.

The thing to remember, experts say, is that dogs and cats have come to depend on humans, so leaving them home alone may have consequences.

"Dogs and cats are companion animals that depend on human contact," Ms. Hanbicki said.

*Article courtesy of VetCentric.com
Originally published April 6, 2000
Written by: Jorie Green Mark, Editor-in-Chief
For more information on this article, please visit http://www.vetcentric.com