Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:

Learn More

Survey Reveals How The Pandemic Has Changed Our Pets

| July 6, 2021

In addition to the medical ones, the coronavirus pandemic had many other unforeseen consequences. Some of those changes include our pets’ behavior, according to a recent survey cataloging thousands of pet parents.

Just like their human family members, companion animals had to adjust to a new way of life during Covid. For some, that shifted the way they interact with their families or with others outside the household.

affectionate-dog

Researchers from the Universities of York and Lincoln in the UK surveyed 5,323 people with companion animals, including horses, reptiles, birds, and fish in addition to cats and dogs. The results saw over 65% of participants reporting changes in their animals’ behavior during lockdown in 2020.

How Changes In Socialization Affected Animals

For this survey, participants answered several sets of questions about their animals, their own mental health, and their relationships. They were also encouraged to leave additional comments.

About a third of survey participants, mostly dogs and cat owners, noticed that their animals followed them around more than usual. One survey participant described how spending more time at home made her dog needier:

“My dog has become a lot more needy and howls if I leave the house without him, even if it’s just to do some gardening and he can see me. Going back to work will be very hard on him.”

Another survey participant noted how a lack of regular interaction with other people and dogs affected her Lab:

“My dog misses the socializing; he doesn’t understand what has happened. He is a very friendly Labrador and doesn’t understand why people won’t make a fuss of him anymore, people cross the road to avoid him.”

On a seemingly more positive note, the survey also indicated that pet cats became more affectionate and relaxed during the pandemic. One cat person said:

I have two rescue cats – one was very skittish, but she is much calmer now I am home every day.”

More research may be necessary, but interestingly these responses indicate the pandemic has affected animals just like it has human beings.

A Human’s Mental Health As An Important Factor

The researchers also looked at pet owners’ mental health before and during lockdown to see if that may have caused some of these reported changes. University of York health scientist Emily Shoesmith explained:

“Our findings indicate that poorer mental health may increase attention paid to one’s companion animal. Empathic engagement may increase reporting of any changes, both positive and negative, in animal welfare and behavior.”

University of Lincoln clinical animal behaviorist Daniel Mills also noted that our moods and behaviors might encourage or discourage certain behaviors in our pets.

“Owner mental health status has a clear effect on companion animal welfare and behavior. [It’s] clearly something we need to consider when we seek to do what is best for the animals we care for.”

Maybe some of us are the real needy ones in our animals’ eyes. One thing we do know for sure is that we all learn from and impact each other.

H/T: Science Alert

Recent Articles

Interested in learning even more about all things dogs? Get your paws on more great content from iHeartDogs!

Read the Blog

Loading Checkout...

United StatesClose
Flag of United States
Powered by
duty and tax information for United States

Looks like your ad blocker is on.

×

We rely on ads to keep creating quality content for you to enjoy for free.

Please support our site by disabling your ad blocker.

Continue without supporting us

Choose your Ad Blocker

  • Adblock Plus
  • Adblock
  • Adguard
  • Ad Remover
  • Brave
  • Ghostery
  • uBlock Origin
  • uBlock
  • UltraBlock
  • Other
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock Plus icon
  2. Click the large blue toggle for this website
  3. Click refresh
  1. In the extension bar, click the AdBlock icon
  2. Under "Pause on this site" click "Always"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Adguard icon
  2. Click on the large green toggle for this website
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ad Remover icon
  2. Click "Disable on This Website"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the orange lion icon
  2. Click the toggle on the top right, shifting from "Up" to "Down"
  1. In the extension bar, click on the Ghostery icon
  2. Click the "Anti-Tracking" shield so it says "Off"
  3. Click the "Ad-Blocking" stop sign so it says "Off"
  4. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock Origin icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the uBlock icon
  2. Click on the big, blue power button
  3. Refresh the page
  1. In the extension bar, click on the UltraBlock icon
  2. Check the "Disable UltraBlock" checkbox
  1. Please disable your Ad Blocker
  2. Disable any DNS blocking tools such as AdGuardDNS or NextDNS

If the prompt is still appearing, please disable any tools or services you are using that block internet ads (e.g. DNS Servers).