WHAT HAPPENS AFTER LOCKDOWN?
For many of the nation’s pets, lockdown has been a big adjustment but some may find it tougher to get used to the idea of life after lockdown. No longer will they have 24-hour company and attention from the whole family and, for many, this may be a bitter pill.
Of course, every individual will react differently. Generally, cats will rejoice once we get out of their hair, while our dogs may find themselves wallowing in self-pity and seeking more attention when we are around.
While it may seem counter intuitive, spending all of our time with our pets can affect them negatively and lead to separation anxiety. They become dependent on our companionship and find it hard to cope when left to their own devices. There are things that we can do to set our pets up for success now, however:
Make time every day for your pet to be alone. This may be in a crate if they’re trained, or in another room. Make sure they have something to keep them occupied.
Keep their routine as close to normal as possible. If they are used to having a walk at 7am then even though you may be able to have a lie in now, stick to the schedule.
Avoid changing your behaviour or the rules. It can be tempting to spoil them during these uncertain times but if they were never allowed on the bed or sofa, maintain the consistency.
If you are stressed and emotional, remember pets are sensitive and may pick up on this, so try to stay as positive as you can around them.