Pet's Pandemic

Pets

So how are your four-leggeds doing these days?   We hear so much about how the human population is coping with this pandemic but not very much about our animal companions.   Their whole lives have been uprooted as well.  This is not really any easier on them than it is on us.   They can’t tell us how they are feeling and their stress-related behaviours are often met with disapproval and punishment by their humans.  Imagine being scared and anxious and confused and not able to speak.

Our pets are having to adapt to us being home all day now.  And in some cases, it really cramps their style.  Consider the dog who is not allowed on the couch or the bed, but when the human is away he revels in the freedom to do just that.  Or the cat who shares “her chair” with her human because she knows she will get her chance later on.   Consider the high strung puppy who does well with his calm and patient human but now that human is stressed and anxious as well. With tight budgets maybe the food they are eating is not the quality they are used to and they are having stomach distress.   These pets have to express their feelings somehow and the only way they can do it is through their behaviour.   So they may start chewing on things, or refusing the litter box, or hiding, or engaging in excessive licking and scratching. And the humans get even more stressed because their beloved pet is acting out.  It’s a vicious circle.

Or maybe this pandemic has been good for your pet.  You are home now and taking Fido on several walks a day just to get out of the house.  You maybe be feeding Fluffy more treats and playing with her more often because you are bored.   Your pets are happy with all the attention and love and treats.  But this won’t last forever.  What will happen when things are back to normal and you are gone again?

Our pets are so connected to us emotionally.  I had a cat once who used to meow loudly whenever someone in the family raised their voice.  Several cats I have had have shown empathy by crawling all over me when I am upset.   Another cat used to show his displeasure when we left him overnight by pooping in the middle of our bed.   And then there was the time my partner woke in the middle of the night to find the cat on her chest chewing on the left strap of her pajamas.  He had never done this before and hasn’t since.   Two days later she was diagnosed with breast cancer…in her left breast.   Sends shivers down your spine, doesn’t it?

Pets are emotional creatures and we tend to take them for granted knowing they will always be there for us when we need them.   Even cats in their own way.  We need to remember that they need us too, not just for walks and food, but for company and love and affection.   And during this pandemic, it would do us good to remember that they are affected as well and to give them just a little extra patience and love.