6 Ways to Keep Your Pet Entertained While You’re at Work

Admin Team
Dog playing with a puzzle feeder at home while owner is at work.

After the Christmas and New Year break, many pets have grown used to having their humans home more often. Now that routines are shifting again and workdays are back in full swing, some pets may struggle with boredom, restlessness, or mild separation stress.


The good news is that a few simple changes can make a big difference. Keeping your pet mentally and physically stimulated while you’re away helps reduce anxiety, prevent unwanted behaviours and support overall wellbeing.

Here are our top tips to keep your pet happy and entertained during the workday.



Puzzle Feeders and Treat Toys

Keeping your pet’s brain busy is just as important as physical exercise.

Puzzle feeders, slow feeders, and treat dispensing toys encourage natural foraging behaviours and problem solving. These activities help relieve boredom, slow down fast eaters and provide mental stimulation while you are out.


Try rotating different puzzle toys throughout the week to keep things interesting and rewarding.

 

Window Watching Entertainment

Sometimes the simplest enrichment comes from the outside world.


Setting up a comfy perch or bed near a window gives pets a front row seat to birds, people, cars and neighbourhood activity. This is especially enriching for cats, but many dogs also enjoy watching the world go by.


Make sure the area is safe, shaded and comfortable for longer viewing sessions.

 

Rotate Toys to Keep Them Fresh

If all toys are available all the time, they quickly lose their novelty.


Pack some toys away and rotate them every few days. When an old toy reappears, it feels brand new again. This keeps your pet engaged without needing to constantly buy new items.


Include a mix of soft toys, chew toys, and interactive options to suit your pet’s preferences.

 

Use Background Noise for Comfort

A quiet house can feel unsettling for some pets, especially after weeks of company.


Leaving the TV or radio on at a low volume can help mask outside noises and make the home feel less empty. Some pets find gentle background sound calming, and it may help them settle more easily while alone.


Choose calm programming or music rather than loud or sudden noises.

 

Prioritise Morning Exercise

A tired pet is often a relaxed pet.


A walk, play session, or short training routine before work helps burn off excess energy and supports better rest during the day. Even 15 to 30 minutes of focused activity can make a noticeable difference.


Mental exercise such as training or scent games can be just as effective as physical activity.

 

Routine and Comfort Matter

Pets thrive on predictability.


Keeping a consistent morning routine, familiar feeding times and comfortable resting areas helps your pet feel secure. Cosy beds, favourite blankets and access to familiar spaces can make alone time feel safe and stress free.


If your pet struggles with routine changes, gradual adjustments can help ease the transition back to workdays.

 

Signs Your Pet May Be Bored or Stressed

Some pets show subtle signs when they are not coping well with time alone, including:

• Destructive behaviour
• Excessive vocalising
• Changes in appetite
• Restlessness or pacing
• Over excitement when you return home


If these behaviours persist, it may be time to review enrichment, exercise levels, or seek advice from your vet.


We’re Here to Help

At Yass Valley Veterinary, we understand that modern life can be busy. Supporting your pet’s mental health is just as important as their physical care.


If you are concerned about boredom, anxiety, or behaviour changes while you’re at work, our team is happy to offer personalised advice and enrichment recommendations.



Busy humans and happy pets can absolutely go hand in hand with the right routine and support.

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Important YVV Update

By Admin Team • February 17, 2026
Sadly, we have had some staff changes recently at Yass Valley Veterinary. After 3 years, Dr Issy Card has taken a small animal position in Canberra. Our recently married Dr Anne Cusack is relocating to Wagga for her husband’s work, and Dr Natalie Flew is also leaving us to work in an emergency afterhours clinic in Canberra with more suitable hours for her new family. We will all miss these three amiable, dedicated and competent veterinarians and wish them well in their future pursuits. Dr Stuart Williams, after almost 33 years at Yass Valley Veterinary (15 years as a partner with Dr Peter Gibbs and 15 years as sole principal), is resigning from his full-time position at the end of February. He is looking forward to having a break away from afterhours on call and managing a large staff across two hospitals. Working as a volunteer veterinarian in Australia and overseas, travelling with his wife Cath and spending some much needed time at home and in the garden, is on the agenda for Stuart in the short term. Dr Tamara Butler, who has been with the business for 17 years, will be promoted to the Lead Vet role when Stuart resigns. Dr Nicole McKenzie will take on the Tamara’s Veterinary Manager role, while Ms Carrie Luckie will retain the Practice Manager role. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and care that each of our departing veterinarians has given to our clients and patients, and their departures will mean a temporary change to our service availability. Be assured that we are actively and enthusiastically recruiting veterinarians to join our team. We’d like to introduce Dr Josh Tannen, a small animal veterinarian & surgeon, who will be with us until April. This experienced and easy-going locum will be very welcome by the team. However, in the short term, we will be operating with a smaller team, so there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the full range of services that are currently provided. What does this mean for you? • At times, we may need to rotate Saturday clinic closures. • There will be evenings or weekends when we do not have an after-hours veterinarian available. We will always do our best to keep you informed. Any changes to opening hours or services will be communicated via our social media pages and through notifications on the Yass Vet App. As always, if you require after-hours assistance when a veterinarian is not available, please call us on 6226 4444. Your call will be answered by a team of qualified nurses who will triage your situation and direct you to the closest appropriate emergency hospital if needed. We truly appreciate your understanding, patience, and ongoing support during this period of transition. Our commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care for your animals remains at the heart of everything we do.