2nd March 2022
The UK’s leading cat charity has concerns for the mental wellbeing of lockdown pets who have never truly experienced being alone for long periods.
“The pandemic saw us spending time at home like never before and many people decided lockdown was the perfect opportunity to get a pet. However, some pet owners may find that as life returns to pre-covid normality, their pets experience separation issues and loneliness,” said Nicky Trevorrow, Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager.
“Our pets have become very accustomed to having us at their constant beck and call, armed with treats and attention whenever they want it. Now they are going to have to adjust to their owners suddenly not being at home quite as much and some people may find their pets develop a few behavioural issues as a result.”
Returning to life as normal is a big adjustment for both you and your pet, but there are several steps owners can take to help their animals feel more relaxed. Cats Protection’s Behaviour Manager, Nicky Trevorrow, has shared her top tips for helping cats cope with the lifestyle change:
“Some pets will take changes in their stride and not be too bothered about you coming and going. But other pets may find this more challenging to cope with, particularly lockdown pets that don’t have much experience of being alone,” said Nicky Trevorrow.
“Make sure you are aware of cat stress signals such as food refusal, hiding more than usual, becoming ‘snappy’ or less tolerant of people, excessive meowing, hissing or growling, reluctance to use the litter tray, excessive scratching, exaggerated swallowing or licking their nose and any vomiting or diarrhoea.
“Cats can feel fearful, anxious, frustrated, bored, or even depressed, all emotions that cause stress. It’s important to understand your cat’s underlying emotions as this can help you understand how they are coping with any sudden changes.”
If your pet finds it difficult to settle and continually displays stressed behaviour, you can speak to your vet or hire an animal behaviourist to get additional help and advice. Find out more about helping your cat with stress.
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For further information or an interview, please contact Cats Protection’s Media Office on 01825 741 911, at media.office@cats.org.uk, or @CPMediaTeam on Twitter.