Erin Ollila
|October 21, 2016
Everyone handles kids going to college differently. Some people may be excited for the life change. Others may be anxious. Some may feel a mix of emotions. Will the new-found freedom be refreshing? Or will it be too quiet and empty without children in the house?
One thing's for sure: a loving pet can provide comfort and purpose for pet parents missing their human children.
Empty nest pets are animals that help fill the void kids moving out leave in their parents' lives. For eighteen years or more, children depend on their parents, and once they leave the house, animals can step in to give moms and dads a new friend to take care of and love.
Here are two real-life stories of parents and the pets that helped them through this big life change.
When her daughter moved away to attend culinary school, Andrea sunk into a deep depression. She felt so lost without her child that she even moved the rest of her family to the same city as her daughter. However, the move didn't help. Andrea questioned everything about her life once her daughter went to college and blossomed into an adult.
Andrea's marriage suffered as a result of her depression. Andrea said, "I realized that over the years of taking care of kids and spending so much time working on my business, my 25-year relationship with my husband had gotten the shorter end of the stick. I sunk into a deep depression and gained a lot of weight. Overall, I think the hardest part of my daughter Cara leaving was fearing that she and I would grow apart, and I would end up being all alone."
"Owie had come to us 11 years earlier. He won our hearts, and we adopted him into our home. I was really worried about how Owie would handle Cara's absence, so although Owie had always been Cara's cat, I felt very protective of him. I credit Owie with helping me to stay grounded and connect with my heart.
"One day Owie had an accident and was limping. When I took him to the vet, he explained that although his accident was minor, he could see that Owie had gotten so obese that if he didn't start losing weight he would die. That brought me to the sober realization that I was overcompensating with food by overfeeding Owie and myself. As I began to reduce Owie's food intake, I started making my own changes and got healthier and pulled myself out of the depression."
While Owie's accident led to lifestyle changes for both Andrea and her cat, the duo's everyday shared moments were a huge comfort during the transition. "There were several things I did with Owie that helped me feel better about Cara, but one of the most valuable was taking naps each afternoon with him in Cara's room. He would cuddle in my arms as I cried. It felt like Owie really understood the depth of sadness that I was feeling about not having Cara around.
"In the evenings especially, when I felt Cara's absence the most, I would sit with Owie and groom him, and talk and cry. There was something so healing about being with Owie, stroking his fur, rubbing his belly, and hugging him. Wow! I could go on forever. I credit Owie with helping to heal my heart during the most painful and scary time in my life."
Andrea isn't the only person that Owie helped during the transition of the kids going to college. He also bonded with her husband, which in turn benefited his pet parents' marriage.
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
Like many people, Julie was simultaneously excited and nervous about how her life would change without children at home. She knew that she raised independent children who were ready for the college experience, but going from a house of five, to four, to three, and then just she and her husband took some getting used to.
"I was a little anxious about the kids going to college, but felt confident that they were prepared for it. It took a while to get used to such a quiet house. We missed the children, but also enjoyed our 'independence' to come and go without considering dinner, homework, and sports."
The loss of a routine is often both freeing, yet difficult to adjust to for many parents. It's also why many animals become empty nest pets. Dogs, cats, and other pets require constant attention, feeding, and grooming. They encourage a relaxed routine that helps with the transition.
For David's fiftieth birthday, Julie gave him a present that forever changed their whole family: Socks, a Chiweenie (Chihuahua/Dachshund mix). The couple later invited Sterling, also a Chiweenie, into their home to be a playmate for Socks. "Our dogs are very needy, always wanting to cuddle. We oblige. Taking care of them helps me keep a schedule and provides comfort knowing 'someone' is home when I get home for work. The dogs are always crazy happy to see us when we get home. I look forward to that! We have several friends our age who also have dogs, so now in addition to talking about our children, we also talk about our dogs."
Socks and Sterling enhanced Julie and David's already happy life, but the Chiweenies play a large role in their children's lives as well. "The dogs are always excited to see the kids when they come to visit. My daughter, Elizabeth, got a Dachshund when she was at college and that inspired us to get one also. My son also got a dog when he was in college, so suddenly we became a multi-dog family. Our youngest daughter got two cats in college also. We cat-sit frequently and all the pets get along nicely."
Images courtesy of Andrea | Julie and David
Erin Ollila believes in the power of words and how a message can inform—and even transform—its intended audience. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print, and includes interviews, ghostwriting, blog posts, and creative nonfiction. Erin is a geek for SEO and all things social media. She graduated from Fairfield University with an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com.
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
Clinically proven kibble technology to reduce plaque & tartar build-up
Improves Everyday Ability to Get Up & Go
Chicken & barley entree with great taste and precisely balanced nutrition to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced turkey & liver to help fuel the energy needs of cats during the prime of their life
Supports energy level and beautiful fur in mature cats
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Delectable chunks with tender chicken smothered in a rich gravy
Fewer calories for less active dogs, who prefer smaller kibble
Fewer calories for less active cats
Natural fiber comfortably reduces hairballs
A delicious complement to the nutrition of Science Diet dry dog food
Beef & Barley recipe with precisely balanced nutrition to keep adult dogs active and healthy.
Science Diet's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Highly digestible food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
Supports digestive health, nourishes skin and promotes a lustrous coat
Supports lean muscle and beautiful fur for adult cats
Learn all about whether butter is safe for your dog or cat and what to do if they eat it.
What do vet techs & nurses do? More than you realize! Learn about the important role veterinary technician's play as part of your pet's health care team.
If you're struggling with the future of an empty nest as your kids go to college or move away, pets can help ease that transition.
Learn important signs & factors to consider when deciding if it's time to put a pet down, including severity of an illness, physical restrictions, & more.
Discover how and where to store your dry, as well as canned, dog and cat food. Learn how to find the "best before" dates on all Hill's pet food packaging.
Learn whether it's safe for cats and dogs to eat each other's food, nutritional concerns to be aware of, and how to discourage this behavior.
Learn the benefits soy beans can provide in pet food, including high sources of protein, fiber and vitamins.
Use these 8 simple tips to ensure you and your pet are prepared and protected in times of natural disaster.
Browse this comprehensive guide for several of our favorite DIY dog and cat toys that are sure to put a little pep in your pet's step.
Understand the importance of antioxidants in your dog or cat's food, and how they can help protect your pet and keep them healthy.
Get helpful pet care tips you can use every day, such as vet visit and identification advice, to keep your dog or cat happy and healthy.
If you have a new sitter for your furry friend, use our pet sitter checklist to ensure they know your pet's essential info & exactly how to care for them.
Learn how to determine how many calories your dog or cat needs each day, as well as how to count their calories and what to do if they're getting too many.
Learn the impact of heading back to school and suddenly leaving your pet home alone, how you can help this transition & ease their separation anxiety.
Learn the difference between oral vs. topical flea and tick medications so that you can decide which one might be most effective for your dog or cat.
Learn how corn can play a pivotal role in your pet's food and diet. Discover the benefits it has in improving your pet's overall health.
An animal shelter near you takes in homeless animals. Learn how it shows animals in shelters aren't there for behavioral or medical problems, and many make healthy pets in loving homes.
Learn more about the different types of viatmins that are important to your pet's nutrition, and what you should be looking for when buying pet food.
Discover helpful tips for training your puppy or kitten, including the best time to start training them and the importance of staying consistent.
If you're considering adopting a blind pet, learn tips & considerations for living with a blind cat or dog and how to prepare your home for a blind pet.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
©2025 Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. As used herein, denotes registered trademark status in the U.S. only; registration status in other geographies may be different. Your use of this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Statement. About our Ads. Cookie Consent Tool