Pets at home during lockdown. Have you noticed a change in their behaviour during lockdown? It may be they are relishing this new found time with you or, as is the case statistically with cats, that many are stressed with the constant companionship.
Animals who tend to be insecure may love this time of increased attention from their owners. They may gain a new feeling of security. While this is good, the key is to ensure that their feeling of security lasts beyond this immediate period into the time when your pet needs to be at home alone again.
Prepare for the Impact on Your Pets at Home
If special circumstances like this pandemic we are experiencing, make it necessary for you to stay at home more than usual, you should absolutely use the time to dedicate extra attention to your pet. However, for their ongoing wellbeing, the attention must be well measured so that it does not result in future problems for your pet such as separation anxiety. Time together with your pets during lockdown can be enjoyed by everyone with careful consideration,
Here are a Few Tips to Help You
- Gradual Training: As with training puppies, you can get an adult dog used to being alone again by first leaving the house for just a few minutes extending it to 1 minutes then half an hour etc.
- Allow Breaks: In between play times with your pet, ensure you have decent breaks. This downtime is necessary so that your pet gets enough rest and sleep.
- Respect your pets rest: As with humans, when your pet retreats to their sleeping places, this rest should be respected.
- Self Entertainment: Design a feeding game eg. give your pet a treat in which they have to work for it – kong toys or similar are wonderful as it keeps them occupied, entertained and distracted.
- Cues: Animals are clever at associating typical exit rituals leading up to their owners leaving the house. It’s a good idea to get them used to these by puting on shoes or a jacket, several times a day without leaving your home.
Consider the Long Term
If you are considering getting a pet, it is important to bear in mind that once lockdowns have lifted, our hours of working outside the homes will change quite considerably compared to what your pet is used to. Perhaps they could be looked after by someone else for a few hours a day. Or another suggestion I particularly like is what my sister implemented for her new puppy. She bought a ‘ring’ two way plug in security camera which allows you to ‘check in on’ (view) and talk to your pet. It worked a treat. Puppy was happy, and my sister no longer came home to chewed up bedding or furniture.
The Unthinkable!
Animals can offer wonderful emotional support, especially in times of crisis like what we are experiencing now. Their presence reduces stress and has a positive impact on mental health.
It’s crucial to consider carefully if you can provide for a pet for the long term. This may seem obvious to most, but according to current statistics, it seems a higher than normal return or abandonment of pets is occurring during lockdown. Yes you read that correctly. I actually researched why as I found this unfathomable. There are many reasons for this. And just goes to show, we shouldn’t pre judge. Many people during lock down have lost their jobs so are no longer able to financially support an animal. Increased domestic violence is another reason. Can you imagine how difficult, on top of these major pressures, it would be to surrender a pet you love.
One upside however, is the increase by over 50s who would be embarking on either long service leave or retirement. The majority of these groups would traditionally be travelling but due to lockdown, circumstances have changed and they are deciding to get a pet instead. A win win for all.
A Pet is for Life
In an ideal world, which it certainly is not right now, a pet is for life. If you are considering getting a new pet during lockdown, please consider carefully.
Points to consider
- Do you have the financial mens to care for a pet for its entire life?
- Do you know enough about the animals needs and can you fulfil them all?
- Will you be able to walk your pet regularly (if applicable)?
- Who will take care of your pet if you go on holiday?
- Can you spend enough time with your pet?
They are so much work in the beginning, much like a child, but truthfully, the impact a pet has on us both mentally and physically, is immeasurably beneficial.
This post was all about your pets at home during lockdown and tips to keep them happy.
Image Source: Tim Walker photography
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