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Pets and the Pandemic.Do they know?

Animals are not affected physically by the CV19 virus. But are they affected mentally by it? I think they know something is going on.

We are half way through a 14 day self isolation after returning from Florida. Our little dog June has enjoyed getting out with us for longer walks and she likes having us around more. But a couple of days ago she started to behave in an unusual way. She wanted to lie down on the floor, at our feet, under the kitchen table.

When we first got home from Florida and started our 14 day self isolation she was napping in her usual spot on the chaise. She likes this chaise as she can monitor all the squirrel activity out of the kitchen window.

But now she does not want to be as independent. She wants to be close by. So I moved her little bed closer to the kitchen table and she seems to be happy there.

Another friend has told me her little dog follows her around all over the apartment and is not willing to leave her side. My daughter said their dog has allergies and they are usually stress related for this dog. So she thinks he may be stressed.

If you have pets have you found them to be reacting to the lockdown or isolation?

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anne leueen

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Comments

35 responses to “Pets and the Pandemic.Do they know?”

  1. Leif Price Avatar
    Leif Price

    Yes! My dog can feel what’s happening around us. He rarely goes out of our house than the normal day! He’s just sitting and sleeping around the backyard.

    Reply
  2. candidthoughtsofawriter Avatar
    candidthoughtsofawriter

    Aww, yes, dogs can really feel whatever is happening around them, but I’m just not sure with our fish at home. Haha! Praying for everyone there! Stay safe and stay healthy!

    Reply
  3. Hangsika Sharma Avatar
    Hangsika Sharma

    Yes animal value and senses everything that is happening around them. One humble request to all please don’t abandon your pets and other animals in this hard times

    Reply
  4. sharonsiconictravelphotographyblog Avatar
    sharonsiconictravelphotographyblog

    I think they feel your anxiety and emotions.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I agree. As we have settled in for the long haul with this crisis our little dog seems less anxious.

      Reply
  5. Mary Strong-Spaid Avatar
    Mary Strong-Spaid

    I definitely think my cats can tell that I am worried.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Animals may not know exactly what is going on with us but they do know something is up. Stay well!

      Reply
  6. Chaitanyaa Mumbaikar Avatar
    Chaitanyaa Mumbaikar

    Pets catches our emotions. And they are loyal to us. So if you are stressed your pet will join you with that emotional state. So you have to be calm , be hopeful . Be grateful that because of them you are now trying to drop your stress level. Same applies to children, kids and infants.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Very good points Chaitanyaa.They do pick up stress from us. And they are such a good reason for us to release our stress. Thanks for commenting.

      Reply
  7. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar
    Gavin and Wyatt

    Yes, we have pets though they would call themselves family members. On this point, I agree with them as they are part of the clan. As such, they feel the stress in the air.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Our little puppy is a family member for sure. And Gavin and Wyatt are your family members. Another blogger pointed out the stress they pick up from us and that they are such good stress busters for us.

      Reply
      1. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar
        Gavin and Wyatt

        Reminds me of the old movie “Ghost Busters”. I like the idea of out pets “Stress Busters.”

        re

        Reply
        1. anne leueen Avatar
          anne leueen

          Ah Ha yes. Good one!

          Reply
  8. violaetcetera Avatar
    violaetcetera

    Our cat and one of the dogs don’t seem to care, but the other dog is more nervous and is even more mindful of everything that goes on around the house, like he is sensing something dangerous. They know indeed!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I think they do and it is interesting how some pets react differently than others. Thanks for contributing to this discussion Viola.

      Reply
  9. dearobb Avatar
    dearobb

    Our dogs now won’t eat unless I’m standing right next to them. And our 70 lb coonhound wants to sit in my lap with the 30 lb Jack Russell. They know.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes they do know. Thank you for this comment and best wishes to you and your four leggeds to stay well.

      Reply
  10. whippetwisdom Avatar
    whippetwisdom

    It sounds as if June is sensing something is wrong and wants to stay close for safety and reassurance. When people become tense or worried it is easy for a dog to think there is a danger or they have done something wrong. It’s important to remain positive around our animals, both for their sake as for our own. Eivor and Pearl are still running and playing and I’m still running and playing with them. The only difference is that we wave and share greetings with fellow dog walkers from a substantial distance and don’t let the dogs interact with dogs from other households. The virus droplets can be transmitted via dogs, without them developing the symptoms of covid-19 themselves. It is important that people and dogs don’t mingle with people and dogs from other households at this time. If June loves playing with toys it’s great to get them out and have some fun with her. Take care and please give June a big pat from us all xxx

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I think you are right. June is happy when we are out for our walks.She really enjoys those. She is much calmer the last couple of days. I think she likes to have her small bed beside the dining table in our kitchen. So that is good. It is fun to have her close to us as well. In our back garden she likes to run for a ball on a rope and we do a lot of that too. I think that we have accepted the quarantine and we know it will be for along time. We do not see any other people with dogs on our walks and few people at all. If we see one it is note worthy. Now there are few cars going down our road either. So the walks are pretty easy going for all three of us. You take care too Xenia!

      Reply
  11. Emma Cownie Avatar
    Emma Cownie

    I suspect June is picking up on human anxiety!

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I think you are right .The past couple of days she had bee calmer and I think that is due to her humans being calmer and more accepting of the fact that we are in this for the long haul.

      Reply
  12. Cyranny Avatar
    Cyranny

    I think that pets definately wonder what’s going on… Freja is more nervous and jumpy since we stopped leaving the apartment. I suspect she really enjoyed her alone time, when we used to go to work. Now, at times, she sits near us, staring, as if she want to tell us ”What’s going on?? Go out to wherever you used to go!”

    I guess we all have to adapt, 2 or 4 legged, it makes no difference 😉

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I agree. They all pick things up from us and changes of routine are a real giveaway that something is up.

      Reply
  13. Robyn Avatar
    Robyn

    I don’t know if mine know something big is going on, but I do know they enjoy all the walks they get a day. So, maybe they do notice some difference because they weren’t getting so much exercise before. I think their next vet visit will register a very healthy weight for them (and our lab needs it!)

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Well that is a plus then😃

      Reply
  14. Alli Farkas Avatar
    Alli Farkas

    My cats squabble with each other just as much as they ever have. Doesn’t say a lot for cat brains does it?

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Maybe it means cats are smart enough not to get involved in their humans concerns. 🤣

      Reply
  15. Robert Parker Avatar
    Robert Parker

    I think both comments above are spit on, tension and change in schedule
    But I’m sure more walks are always welcome.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      She is just 8 months old so she has lots of energy and loves to go for the walks.

      Reply
  16. susiesopinions Avatar
    susiesopinions

    I am sure they understand something is going on.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I agree. They do know.

      Reply
  17. cagedunn Avatar
    cagedunn

    They feel our tension. Whether it’s the way we talk, how we move, the undertones, or even pheromones, they know things are not right. It’s like knowing there’s a predator prowling outside the den. Animals understand this fear better than humans.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      Yes! My hope is that unlike us they do not worry about the future and can live in the present. Our little dog is certainly not off her food and sleeps at night which is good.

      Reply
  18. Judy Avatar
    Judy

    Dogs are sensitive to what goes on around them. A change in routine is difficult for them. This is a major change in routines.

    Reply
    1. anne leueen Avatar
      anne leueen

      I agree Judy.

      Reply

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