Pet Life In Quarantine
While lockdown measures ease across the country and as vaccination rates rise, it's important to remember that an adjustment back to a more interactive and in-person lifestyle is not just a change of pace for you, but for your furry friends as well. If you've been working from home and are transitioning back to working in person, if you've been limiting errands and time spent outdoors, or if you're preparing for some Covid-safe gatherings in your home, know that these welcome changes to your schedule may be somewhat jarring for your pets, or the pets you come into contact with. Making sure changes are made gradually can help your pets readjust and prevent adverse reactions out of excitement or fear.
The Stress of Change
Take a moment to consider the past year from your pet’s point of view: have they gotten used to having you around constantly? Does your dog miss interacting with dogs on the trail or at the dog park? Is your cat hiding more to have some isolation time? Did you adopt your pet during quarantine, or was your pet born less than a year ago? While you may be ready to jump back into walks at the glacier during peak hours and going to the office to work during the day, your pet may not be. Change is not as easy for pets to process, and sudden, unexplained change can cause stress, which can lead to behavioral reactions.
State Farm, a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition, reported that March 2020 had the highest number of dog-related injuries to people last year, and that there was a 21.6% increase in dog bites compared to March 2019. This corresponds to the start of lockdowns across the US, which was a huge change that caused a lot of stress for pets and their owners. As restrictions ease, owners should be aware of the potential increase of anxiety and stress to their pets and take steps to help facilitate a calm transition.
Take It Slow
If your pets have only interacted with you and your family for the past year, try leashed walks around your neighborhood so they have a chance to be around a few strangers while still feeling safe in familiar surroundings. Instead of inviting a lot of new people over for a party, invite one or two friends who can safely visit, but who your pet hasn’t seen recently (or possibly ever) to slowly socialize them with new people. As you have more people around, leave quiet and dark room accessible to your pet, so they have a calm space to retreat to if they get overwhelmed.
If you have friends with pets, arrange small playdates in your yard or leashed in a quiet park area to help your dog get accustomed to being around other animals again. Watch them while they play and use positive reinforcement to correct their behavior as necessary. Once they can interact appropriately with a few dogs, you can transition them to supervised play at a dog park, and walks in busier areas.
Health First
If you haven’t been able to go to the vet, or have been avoiding doing so due to quarantine measures, consider setting up a wellness visit for your pet. A vet can ensure all vaccinations are updated, and can assess the general health of your pet. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious; dogs and cats have a higher pain tolerance than we do, especially for dental pain. When your pet doesn’t understand why they are pain, they may express it with what we see as "bad behavior", such as increased aggression. A wellness visit can identify these underlying causes before you even notice a dramatic change in behavior. A healthy pet is a happy pet!
Long Term Planning
If your dog has gotten used to having people around and is unable to transition to having lots of alone time, you can consider other methods of interaction to help ease possible stress and anxiety. Ask a friend, family member, or reputable dog sitter/dog walker to stop by during the day to check on your dog and give them time for play or a walk. If your dog is high energy and is prone to destructive behaviors if left unsupervised, consider applying for Doggy Daycare to help socialize your dog with other people and animals, and to give them an outlet for their energy so they're ready for relaxed cuddles after you're home from work!
Read more about the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition's tips for dog bite prevention as you and your pets return to a more social life HERE.
While lockdown measures ease across the country and as vaccination rates rise, it's important to remember that an adjustment back to a more interactive and in-person lifestyle is not just a change of pace for you, but for your furry friends as well. If you've been working from home and are transitioning back to working in person, if you've been limiting errands and time spent outdoors, or if you're preparing for some Covid-safe gatherings in your home, know that these welcome changes to your schedule may be somewhat jarring for your pets, or the pets you come into contact with. Making sure changes are made gradually can help your pets readjust and prevent adverse reactions out of excitement or fear.
The Stress of Change
Take a moment to consider the past year from your pet’s point of view: have they gotten used to having you around constantly? Does your dog miss interacting with dogs on the trail or at the dog park? Is your cat hiding more to have some isolation time? Did you adopt your pet during quarantine, or was your pet born less than a year ago? While you may be ready to jump back into walks at the glacier during peak hours and going to the office to work during the day, your pet may not be. Change is not as easy for pets to process, and sudden, unexplained change can cause stress, which can lead to behavioral reactions.
State Farm, a member of the National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition, reported that March 2020 had the highest number of dog-related injuries to people last year, and that there was a 21.6% increase in dog bites compared to March 2019. This corresponds to the start of lockdowns across the US, which was a huge change that caused a lot of stress for pets and their owners. As restrictions ease, owners should be aware of the potential increase of anxiety and stress to their pets and take steps to help facilitate a calm transition.
Take It Slow
If your pets have only interacted with you and your family for the past year, try leashed walks around your neighborhood so they have a chance to be around a few strangers while still feeling safe in familiar surroundings. Instead of inviting a lot of new people over for a party, invite one or two friends who can safely visit, but who your pet hasn’t seen recently (or possibly ever) to slowly socialize them with new people. As you have more people around, leave quiet and dark room accessible to your pet, so they have a calm space to retreat to if they get overwhelmed.
If you have friends with pets, arrange small playdates in your yard or leashed in a quiet park area to help your dog get accustomed to being around other animals again. Watch them while they play and use positive reinforcement to correct their behavior as necessary. Once they can interact appropriately with a few dogs, you can transition them to supervised play at a dog park, and walks in busier areas.
Health First
If you haven’t been able to go to the vet, or have been avoiding doing so due to quarantine measures, consider setting up a wellness visit for your pet. A vet can ensure all vaccinations are updated, and can assess the general health of your pet. Not all illnesses and injuries are obvious; dogs and cats have a higher pain tolerance than we do, especially for dental pain. When your pet doesn’t understand why they are pain, they may express it with what we see as "bad behavior", such as increased aggression. A wellness visit can identify these underlying causes before you even notice a dramatic change in behavior. A healthy pet is a happy pet!
Long Term Planning
If your dog has gotten used to having people around and is unable to transition to having lots of alone time, you can consider other methods of interaction to help ease possible stress and anxiety. Ask a friend, family member, or reputable dog sitter/dog walker to stop by during the day to check on your dog and give them time for play or a walk. If your dog is high energy and is prone to destructive behaviors if left unsupervised, consider applying for Doggy Daycare to help socialize your dog with other people and animals, and to give them an outlet for their energy so they're ready for relaxed cuddles after you're home from work!
Read more about the National Dog Bite Prevention Week Coalition's tips for dog bite prevention as you and your pets return to a more social life HERE.