Many Companion Cats Show Abnormal Behavior When Daily Routine Changes Cause Stress
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] As more office workers work from home due to COVID-19, the number of pet cats suffering from stress is also increasing.
Some media outlets in the UK, including the daily The Times, recently reported, citing officials from the cat welfare charity 'Cats Protection,' that many house cats are currently stressed because they have no quiet time to themselves due to their owners working from home.
As many office workers are forced to work from home, the number of pet cats visiting veterinary clinics is rising. According to Cats Protection officials, cats, who usually enjoy being alone for certain periods, are struggling because they suddenly have to spend all day with their owners.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, some cats are presumed to have experienced increased stress. Cats can become stressed when their daily routines change because they are creatures of habit.
The safe and quiet space where cats used to be alone at home has now been transformed into a home office, so it is no longer a quiet place for them.
Cats that used to be fearful and cautious when children were around could enjoy alone time during the day when children were at school. However, with children staying home all day due to COVID-19, pet cats have not even had time to relieve their stress.
The more sensitive cats are to noise and the movement of people and objects, the more stress they experience when more people stay at home.
Daniela dos Santos Buisson, Deputy Director of Cats Protection, pointed out, "When there are changes in a cat's physical environment, such as the owner staying home longer than before, the pet cat can be affected in terms of stress levels and behavior."
Excessive vocalization, over-grooming, scratching excessively with claws, frequent urination or defecation, showing aggression, or hiding and not appearing are signs that a cat is stressed.
In contrast, pet dogs are known not to have such problems.
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