Dealing with a Rescued Cat or Dog Ignoring Owner After

Part 1: Reasons Why Your Pet May Ignore You After Boarding

1. Unwellness

Upon returning from boarding, if your cat or dog exhibits prolonged signs of sadness, lack of energy, and decreased appetite, it's advisable to take them to a vet for a checkup. They might be suffering from gastrointestinal issues or infections such as canine distemper, parvovirus, parasites, or skin diseases. These symptoms often arise from poor boarding conditions, crowded living spaces, irregular feeding schedules, insufficient food portions, sudden dietary changes, and inadequate care.

2. Stress Response

Due to their individual temperaments, some cats and dogs adapt quickly to new environments. However, more introverted and shy pets may experience stress and emotional scars from a sudden move to an unfamiliar place. This can lead to psychological shadows even after returning home. If combined with changes in routine, poor caretaker behavior, and other factors, the pet's stress levels might escalate.

Part 2: Solutions to the Problem

1. Health Check

Upon returning from boarding, it's crucial to inspect your pet for parasites and skin damage. If their spirits seem low, take their temperature to rule out fever. Keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, runny nose, or coughing, and promptly take them to the vet. If a disease is confirmed, start treatment immediately and consider seeking compensation from the boarding facility according to the agreement.

2. Comfort and Reassurance

Should your cat or dog show no other symptoms but simply ignore you upon their return, avoid forcing interaction. Provide them with a quiet, comfortable space to adjust and recover. Gradually, they will come to realize that you are still their familiar owner, and the situation will improve over time. Generally, this phase lasts only a few days, and pets, much like children, are usually quite easy to soothe.

3. Correcting Bad Habits

Cats and dogs often imitate the behavior of other animals, so even in a separate space, they might pick up some undesirable habits. However, these habits are usually easy to correct with patience and training from their owners.

We hope this guide on why pets may ignore their owners after boarding and how to address the issue helps you, the hardworking pet parent. Should you have any further questions, feel free to consult an online veterinary expert.