Cats and dogs during the pandemic

The survey among cat owners revealed that 20 per cent believed that the lockdown was stressful for their pet(s), which was mainly attributable to the unavoidable changes in household routine. In Spain, which was hit particularly hard by the pandemic, as many as 27 per cent of respondents indicated this was the case. The changes in household routine were chiefly due in all countries included in the survey to the constant presence of people in the house, disrupting the normal routine. Many cat owners (42 per cent) felt that they themselves were stressed and that their pets sensed this.
A third of cat owners noticed several changes in the behaviour of their cats. These were both positive, such as a greater need for attention and affection, but also negative signs, such as whining and a more edgy demeanour. 27 per cent of owners used products under the Ceva brand Feliway during the restrictions. In 71 per cent of households, the product proved helpful for cats, according to Ceva. 81 per cent of cat owners played with their pets, and 44 per cent even bought a new toy for their cat during the lockdown. Giving their pets greater access to outdoors and making new hide-aways available to them were other solutions cited by cat owners for helping their felines through this difficult period.
Among cat-owning families that felt the relationship with their cat(s) had changed while coronavirus restrictions were in place, 93 per cent thought that the relationship had improved. 82 per cent of owners had spent more time with their cats during the lockdown.
35 per cent of cat owners believe that the end of coronavirus restrictions will cause their feline(s) stress. According to Ceva, it may be difficult for creatures of habit such as cats to deal with change. It will be especially important to support them, therefore, to prevent stress indicators (e.g. urine marking, scratching, hiding) from developing. 42 per cent indicated they would support their cat(s) during this period using Feliway. 26 per cent of respondents planned to play with their cat/cats more, while 15 per cent wanted to spend more time at home.

In April and May, Ceva asked nearly 900 dog owners how the lockdown had affected their pets. The survey, conducted in France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, found that a quarter of dog owners surveyed believed the period had caused their dog stress. 38 per cent of owners noticed a number of changes in their canine's behaviour: a greater need…