The Dangers of Pet Boredom

funny playful dog destroying a fluffy pillow at home

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could stay home with your pet all day long? Nothing sounds better than all-day cuddling, playing, and relaxing. But the reality is most pet owners have to work, which means your pet is left at home.

To make your pet’s alone time as enriching as possible, there are certain things you’ll want to do. Otherwise, you risk a bored pet who is more likely to bark and be destructive. Here’s what you need to know about the dangers of pet boredom and how having a sliding door pet door can help.

A Bored Pet Is a Dangerous Pet

Even though dogs and cats can keep themselves occupied when their owners are away, it’s important to remember that pets need stimulation throughout the day. Pets get bored and often develop behavioral issues when they don’t have much to do when you’re away from the home.

One of the biggest risks of a bored pet is stress and depression. Boredom can also lead to behavioral issues, including:

  • Hyper greetings
  • Excessive barking
  • Chewing
  • Getting into things (i.e., the trash, food cabinets, etc.)

The good news is that it’s not impossible to keep your pet entertained, even when you aren’t home.

Preventing Boredom When You’re Away

Just because you aren’t home doesn’t mean that your dog or cat has to be bored. There are many things you can do to keep your pet entertained and busy while you’re at work or running errands.

1. Make Time When You’re at Home

One of the best things to do is to be involved with your pet when you’re home. Take your dog on several walks throughout the day. Ensure he gets plenty of interactive playtime. Fetch toys are great for burning off a dog’s excessive energy. Mental stimulation toys like lasers and feathers are great for cats.

When your pet gets plenty of exercise and stimulation when you’re home, they’re more likely to be calm and satisfied when you’re away.

2. Plenty of Toys

Toys are another must-have in order to prevent pet boredom. There are all sorts of toys for dogs and cats to mentally engage them. Treat and food dispensing toys will keep your pet entertained for hours. Be sure to also buy a variety of different toys, especially durable chewing toys for dogs.

3. Invest in a Pet Door

If you have a fenced backyard, a pet door is a great option to keep your pet busy throughout the day. With a pet door insert, your dog or cat can freely exit or enter the home. This gives your pet the chance to roam and run outside. Having a dog door insert for glass also minimizes the risk of your pet having accidents in the house. It’s a win/win for everyone!

hybrid dog runs on a meadow

Choose Australia Pet Doors for a Quality Pet Door

Think a patio pet door is a good option for keeping your pet from getting bored when you aren’t home? At Australia Pet Doors, you’ll find a wide variety of pet door inserts. We offer pet doors that fit into sliding glass doors, wood doors, and many other options. In our inventory, you’ll also find a large dog door for a sliding glass door, as well as doors and flaps for smaller pets.

Don’t risk a bored pet! Contact us to find a pet door that meets your needs.