How have the UK’s pets been affected by lockdown?
By Laura Kruszewski
Throughout the previous few months, we have been frequently reminded that these are unpredictable, unusual and unprecedented times. However, it is not only our lives that have been impacted by COVID-19; the daily routines of our pets have also been disrupted, with inevitable effects on their behaviour. Although we will have to wait before evaluating more concrete data concerning the impacts of lockdown on animal behaviour, we can still anticipate these effects, with regard to both adult and juvenile pets.
First, let’s consider how our pets’ daily schedules have been disturbed due to lockdown. One of the most significant changes would have been owners spending more time at home. For many animals, this has been a welcome adjustment, although others have been left puzzled and stressed. Confusion has also been observed in pets wanting to play with their more readily accessible owners, before being shooed away as people attempt to work from home. Having said this, there have also been reports of pets becoming stressed by excessive amounts of playtime, especially with children spending more time at home following school closures. This has coincided with reports of increased nipping and biting of young people by otherwise well-behaved dogs (Bonner, 2020) . Consequently, owners have been advised to supervise interactions between animals and young children, as well as ensuring their pets always have access to a quiet space where they will not be disturbed (Reeve and Carroll, 2020) .
As lockdown has eased with more owners returning to work, there has been apprehension about a spike in canine separation anxiety (Bonner, 2020) . To reduce the likelihood of this behavioural problem, animal charities have recommended that owners prepare their pets for any adjustment in routine by introducing short periods of isolation during the day, as well as gradually shifting towards any new timetable (Blue Cross, 2020) .
A significant number of vets have predicted a rise in behavioural issues in the UK’s pets following COVID-19. There are also concerns that the development of behavioural issues during the lockdown period may result in an increase in owners attempting to rehome their pets. These fears are not unwarranted, given that a study of over 3000 animals revealed that behavioural problems were the most common and second most common reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats respectively (Salman et al., 2000) .
It is also important to acknowledge that the economic impact of the pandemic means many pet owners will not be returning to work yet, potentially leading to an increase in pets relinquished to shelters due to financial restrictions, as seen following the recession starting in 2008 (Dogs Trust, 2020) . In addition, deaths due to COVID-19 will leave more animals without owners, again resulting in an increased strain on rescue centres. Although shelters are essential and valued facilities, a sudden change in environment alongside a lack of interaction with their original owners may lead to behavioural issues in these pets.
Conversely, many rescue centres throughout the UK have seen a surge in demand as people have found themselves with more time at home and therefore, the ability to care for a new addition to the household. However, as previously mentioned, a significant proportion of shelter animals have behavioural problems which may not have been fully considered by new owners. A study involving over 6000 cats in the UK found that the most common reason for cats to be returned to rehoming Laura Kruszewski 9/9/2020 centres was the presence of behavioural issues (Casey et al., 2009) . Therefore, there is a risk that shelters may see a rise in the return of recently rehomed animals that exhibit undesirable behaviours, such as spraying in cats and increased vocalisation in dogs. Similarly, more animals may also be returned as owners return to work and find themselves no longer able to look after their new pet; this concern has been highlighted by the Dogs Trust modifying their famous slogan to “A dog is for life, not just for lockdown” (Dogs Trust, 2020) .
As well as the adoption of animals from rescue centres, the puppy trade has also been booming, as demonstrated by a surge in UK Kennel Club registrations since March 2020 (McDonald, 2020) . Lockdown restrictions have meant a cohort of juvenile pets has missed out on integral environmental interactions during their socialisation periods, potentially leading to behavioural issues, including aggression towards other animals and newly encountered objects. To mitigate these circumstances, owners have been advised to walk their pets on surfaces of varying textures, allow animals to play with rubbish and household objects under supervision and ensure youngsters are accustomed to noisy household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners (Blue Cross, 2020) .
In conclusion, the UK’s pets have been extensively affected by lockdown which is likely to manifest in behavioural changes in a significant number of animals. Although the demand for pets has soared during the pandemic, there is a risk that behavioural issues developed as a result of lockdown may lead to the relinquishment of increased numbers of pets in the near future. More than ever, prospective owner education is paramount in ensuring pets are well-matched to their new families, thereby prioritising animal welfare.
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