According to a recent Web article posted by the ASPCA, your dog or cat may be struggling with the same feelings of confusion and loneliness that any major family adjustment can cause. Unlike the human members of your family, though, they have no voices to let you know how they're feeling -- so they'll communicate their emotions in nonverbal (and unpleasant) ways. 

Per the ASPCA, here's a list of behaviors to watch out for that may indicate that your pet is missing the kids: 

• Peeing and pooping in the house 
• Barking incessantly 
• Pacing 
• Chewing
• Digging 
• Attempts to escape 

If your dog or cat exhibits one or more of these behaviors (and has never done so before), you may want to try to soften the blow and help them adjust to their newly lonely days. The ASPCA recommends patience, plenty of treats and a lot of peanut butter in that Kong to help Fido make it through this sad transition. (No advice about how stay-at-home or work-from-home parents should adjust to having the kids out of the house more, but I've heard treats can help us, too.)

Do you have pets? Have you noticed their moods changing as the school year begins?