Our Family Pets Have Had A Lot To Overcome This Year Too

It was a long year, and not just for us humans. Many of our pets have had a long, strange trip through 2020. We worked from home. We didn’t go out as much and they got way more attention than they would have if we had still been out socializing or traveling. Let’s talk about some of the stressors we’ve subjected them to and how we’ll rehabilitate them when we hopefully, finally, go back to normal in 2021.

Overfeeding. More time with our pets led us to spoil them. And they gained weight. If this happened to you, cut back and spoil them in other ways – walks, brushing, teaching new tricks, a drive in the car. If you just have to use food, consider food puzzle games, using kibble instead of high fat treats, or snuffle mats. For cats, move food around and trying “hunting” games to keep their bodies and minds active.

Construction and remodeling. Did a global pandemic seem like the perfect time to spruce up the house? Some pets are stressed by unfamiliar visitors and noise. If you’re still planning on doing more work, make sure you offer your pets a safe place – away from workers and noise. If the remodeling is extensive, consider daycare while the noisy parts are going on to keep sensitive pets from getting upset.

Overstimulation. As kids may be moving back to all-virtual learning, pets can experience overstimulation with so many people being around full time. Overstimulation can be stressful, and at worst can lead to avoidance and aggression. Make sure you ensure some quiet downtime for pets – no different than you may need if you have a houseful all day long.

Transitioning back to normal. If all the extra time and attention you gave your pet come abruptly to an end, your pet may experience anxiety. This anxiety can lead to destructive behavior, vocalization (like barking and whining), over-grooming, or inappropriate urination (a.k.a. peeing in the house).

To prevent these problems, once you know things will be changing, have a plan. Spend short periods of time away – video what happens if you can. Consider a pet sitter or dog walker to break up the day. Distract them with puzzle treats and toys. Use calming aids, like Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs – calming pheromones – or supplements that contain things like milk casein, tryptophan, or L-theonine.

And lastly, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you’re not sure what to do!

It was a long year, but the crazy times aren’t quite over yet. They’re coming back. Let’s make sure all of us and our pets have a great 2021!

As seen in Southport Magazine, January 2021