We’ve spent more time than ever with our pooches over the lockdown period. But as we gear up to resume life outside of the home, how do we prepare our furry friends for the change?

The pandemic has reshaped the way we work, with many businesses looking to trial flexible working as office life resumes. With London residents expected to spend 6.0 hours per day outside of their homes for work purposes, 3.6 days per week1, comparethemarket.com spoke with pet owners to find out their plans for their pooches once we adapt to the new normal as well as the common behaviors dogs show when left home alone and how to best tackle them…

London pet owners’ plans for their pooches once they head back to work

When asked what their plans are for their dogs once they go back to work, over a third (34%) said their dog will be left home alone. Based on the average days (3.6) and hours (6.0) Brits expect to be outside of their homes for work, this means dogs could be left alone for over 21 hours, per work week.

For owners who won’t be leaving their pooch home alone, almost half (41%) will pay for dog day care, a third (31%) will pay for a dog walker whereas 30% will pay for a dog sitter.

Those opting for dog care services expect to use them for around three days per week at an average cost of £15.50 per day. This means that over a year, owners could fork out a whopping £2,418.00 on extra care for their furry companions due to work commitments!

Common behaviours to look out for when leaving dogs home alone

Owners leaving their pooches home alone once they head back to work should be aware of the common behaviour’s dogs can show when left alone, especially while they’re adjusting to change.

Nearly a third (30%) of London owners say their dog barks, howls, or cries (16%) when left alone. Not only that, but many owners say their dogs have destroyed something in reaction to being left alone. Most common types of damage include digging up flowers in the garden (33%), chewing clothes and shoes (26%), and ripping furnishings, like chairs and cushions (19%). When asked about their dogs’ most common misbehaviour, 23% said begging, while 22% said excessive barking.

Dr. Heather Venkat, veterinarian consultant explains:

Dogs have had their owners around daily for the last year, so it’s natural for them to feel lonely if left alone. If you think they’ll suffer from separation anxiety, try giving them an interactive toy to keep them occupied so they’re not worried and don’t have time to cause destruction. There are also many natural chews and supplements out there that can help dogs feel calmer and reduce feelings of anxiety. Look for supplements that include lemon balm, or chamomile.

Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, concludes: “According to our research1, 18% of London pet owners haven’t informed their insurance provider that they have a dog. Therefore, if their pet causes damage to their home, they risk their claim being rejected.

“It’s important to check which provider extends their cover to include animals. The best place to check this is within the accidental damage section of the policy. Read what is and isn’t covered and look at whether ‘damage caused by pets’ is excluded. By doing so, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re protected if an issue arises.”

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/