If there could been one good thing about the COVID pandemic, it would be getting to spend more time with our family pets! How comforting to have them by our side while experiencing the challenges of working from home and distancing from the people and places that give us joy! We all know that pandemic-related lifestyle changes have affected our physical and mental health. Did you know that our pets may be experiencing similar effects? Veterinarians and pet parents across the globe are reporting increases in health issues and abnormal behaviors. Why is that?
Delayed Health Visits
Unfortunately, many of us had to cancel or delay visits to our healthcare professionals, including veterinarians. We find that issues with some of our pets that may have been treatable if caught early have worsened. The best way to know if new medical concerns are present is to schedule a visit to your veterinarian. With a discussion regarding your concerns, a physical exam, and sometimes other testing, your veterinarian can help you determine if there are health concerns and come up with a plan to address them.
Putting on the Pounds
If your pet gained weight during the past couple of years, they aren’t alone! More than 71% of pet professionals say the pandemic has impacted the way pets eat. One study found that people spending more time at home expressed love for their pets by giving pets more food and treats. A survey of pet owners found that one-third of owners with an overweight pet say their pet became overweight during the pandemic.
It is estimated that 54% of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight and approximately 25% of the canine population is obese (weighing 20% or more above the ideal body weight). Even a few extra pounds can put your pet at risk for serious medical conditions like joint pain, diabetes, cancer, and other issues. A large study of Labrador Retrievers found that overweight dogs have suffered more health complications and reduced life expectancy by nearly two years compared to their healthy-weight peers.
Your veterinarian can help determine if your pet is overweight and if any underlying medical issues are contributing to weight gain. Together you can develop a plan to safely achieve weight loss so that your pet can live a longer, healthier life. The plan may involve:
Treating underlying medical issues
Calculating appropriate caloric intake
Choosing an appropriate food
Creating a safe exercise plan
In some cases, consultation with a veterinary nutritionist can be a significant benefit in finding a healthy weight loss diet for your pet’s individual needs. Regular check-ins and weigh-ins with your veterinarian can help make sure the plan is effective and help determine if adjustments in the plan are needed.
Elevated Anxiety
Behavioral changes in pets have been unfortunately common during the pandemic. Pets are sensitive to changes in the household, and anxiety-driven behavioral changes can be a common result. Additionally, pandemic restrictions on social interactions make it difficult for pet owners to properly socialize and habituate their pets to other people, pets, and situations.
Interestingly, at the beginning of the pandemic, many cats exhibited anxiety-related behavior changes due to their families being home more. This resulted in issues like aggression, inappropriate urination and defecation, and social withdrawal. In comparison, dogs tended to do well with families home more but are showing signs of anxiety disorders as our lives slowly move back to normal. When your pet is not accustomed to being home alone, separation anxiety may occur. Hallmarks of separation anxiety include destructive behavior, vocalization, and inappropriate urination/defecation problems. If the pandemic made it difficult to socialize your pet and allow them to experience lots of new situations and environments, timid, fearful, or aggressive behavior may be their anxiety response.
A consultation with your veterinarian can help determine the underlying cause of behavioral problems, including underlying contributing health concerns. Together, and sometimes with the help of a veterinary behaviorist or experienced trainer, you can formulate a plan to treat underlying medical issues and reduce anxiety-driven unwanted behaviors. This may involve medical management, specialized training, and techniques to reduce reactivity to people, pets, and situations. Support from professionals will give you the best possible chance to reduce your pet’s behavioral issues and attain optimal mental health.
Dr. Kevin Wilson has cared for animals with compassion and kindness for over 20 years. He is a co-owner of 5-Points Animal Hospital at 2200 Audition Drive in Fuquay-Varina. Learn more at: www.5pointsah.com.
