You're Not The Only One Starting to Lose It

Let’s face it. This isolation is starting to get to you. Perhaps you’re watching hours of TV, just hoping you can live vicariously through the characters. Maybe you’ve begun talking to the wall. You may even have found yourself plotting to Fedex your family to Alaska just so you can hear yourself think. You’re starting to crack. But if you think you’ve got it bad, just consider the one member of your family that has to share the burden 24/7, who has to be there as family therapist, who plays when you want and leaves you alone when you want, and never gets a break. 

I’m talking about your pet, your dog or your cat and all the new recruits brought in from shelters and assigned a human to keep sane. Reports from around the country are suggesting that pets are getting fed up with all the pressure. One South Carolina cat, a chubby fellow named Karban, has apparently decided it’s time to become an outside cat and live on the roof where at least it’s quiet. Others are seeking refuge under the bed. Unlike cats, most dogs were reportedly delighted at first when their humans started staying home. More time for ear scratching, ball chasing, treats and snuggling. But even that seems to be getting old for a lot of animals who are starting to miss their “me time.” 

So what’s going on here? Animal psychologists (yes, that’s a real career option) say none of this is surprising. Like us, our pets are creatures of habit. While they are usually delighted at first that we’re around so much, the whole process may be growing a little old. They suggest trying to keep your dog’s routine as regular as possible and give them a little space when they need it. And you may be making things worse. Your pet probably knows you better than you know yourself. He or she watches you carefully and senses your shifting emotions. If you’re getting increasingly stressed from living in a cage for weeks, trust me, so is Sparky. This transference is actually a thing. It’s called “emotional contagion,” as if we needed a new pandemic to add to the mix. Psychologists suggest trying to calm down a little more. I know, good luck with that. But give it a try for your pets.