New Delhi, April 1 -- You shut the door, and there is always that brief pause. Your dog watches you leave. Your cat barely looks up. And you find yourself wondering what the rest of their day looks like when you are not home.

Most pets will sleep, but not all of them settle well, and the ones that don't will find something to do. That is where the problems begin. Chewed furniture, barking, restlessness, a dog that is overexcited when you get back, or a cat that starts overgrooming. This is not "naughty behaviour". It is a lack of structure and engagement.

You do not need to eliminate alone time. You need to make that time more meaningful.

Start with food because this is where you can make the biggest difference with the least effort. F...