The pandemic has brought countless changes to our lives. One of the biggest is that because of the lockdown, most of us are stuck at home. But for those who have pets, their animal companions have helped ease their lockdown fatigue. But is there another benefit of pets during lockdown? Find out by reading on.
Animal Ownership Increased During Lockdown
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the strict lockdowns imposed by the government had a lot of people stuck at home. While it was initially manageable, the extended lockdown period undoubtedly took a toll on our mental health.
One way that people decided to cope was to adopt pets. According to one study done in Israel, dog adoption actually boomed during the pandemic1. Additionally, the study also found that internet searches for dog adoption had also increased. This means that globally, more and more people were interested in getting a pet to be their companion during the lockdown.
You might have also noticed that some of your friends, family members, or even yourself have expressed interest or already adopted a pet. But why is this the case, and what benefits can pets provide us?
Benefit of Pets: How Having a Pet Improves Mental Health
Humans have been taking care of pets since prehistoric times. And the first animal that humans domesticated was the dog. In fact, the dogs that we have are descended from wolves that were domesticated by humans. This was done for practical reasons, since domesticated wolves could help humans with hunting, and also serve as a means of protection.
The wolves also benefited from this because humans were there to provide them with food and shelter. And ever since, we’ve domesticated other animals such as cats, cows, pig, horses, etc.
Over time, we realized that aside from the practical benefits that animals provided us, having a loyal and loving companion also improved our well-being.
Under the lockdown, one of the obvious benefits of having a pet is that you’ll have a companion at home. This is especially true for those living alone, or living away from their families. Having a companion while under lockdown can greatly help ease stress and loneliness2.
Another important benefit of pets is that it gives people a routine. Because of the lockdown, more and more people started working from home. While this may be convenient for some, other people find it hard to manage their time without rigid structure to their day3.
Having a pet can give people a routine they can follow, and it helps them create a daily schedule of tasks they need to do.
Lastly, having a cuddly animal you can play with is a great way to relax and wind down after a busy day. It is a great boost to your mental health to have a loving pet to spend your time with.
Pets Also Experience Stress
As pet owners, we need to remember that our pets also need our care and attention. Pets can also experience stress, as well as lockdown fatigue4.
Because of the lockdown, going out on daily walks might not be an option. You also can’t travel around with your pet, so they might feel stressed out if they’re just stuck at home.
Sometimes, pets might feel needy5, or become insistent about going outside. When this happens, it is our responsibility to help our pets deal with their stress. Spending more time with them or playing with them more often can help them relax and calm down.
If your pet starts to act out or become a bit naughty, it’s important to extend your patience and try to calm them down as best you can.
Learn more about Mental Health here.
