One of the silver linings of stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 has been the additional time we get to spend with our pets. Not only have we enjoyed more snuggle time, but our pets have been there to keep us company and provide emotional support. No surprisingly, pet adoptions have increased significantly during the pandemic.

However, for our pets, the change of routine can be a source of stress, which can manifest in various behavior issues. For cats, this could be a need to hide or inappropriate urination. There is also a concern that behavior issues will become worse when restrictions are lifted and we will go back to work, leaving our pets home again for long periods of time.

Stephanie Borns-Weil, head of the behavior service at Cummings Veterinary Medical Center recommends some steps you can take now to help reduce our pets’ anxiety and stress now, and as we get back to normalcy. These include:

• Be patient with your pet - Remember that they don’t have our awareness of what is happening. They are not trying to be naughty, they are reacting to a stressful situation in the only way they can.

• Stick to a routine - If your cat is used to getting their meals a certain time of the day, and getting playtime a certain time of the day, try to stick to that routine. Cats are creatures of habit, and routines make it easier for them to understand what to expect.

• Give your cat some space - Give them a spot they can hide in without being bothered when they’ve had enough.

• Give your cat some alone time - In preparation for normalcy, try to safely go out or keep away from your cat a little every day. This will reduce the risk of separation anxiety when it’s time for you to go back to work.

When normalcy returns, and you go back to work, you may want to make sure your cat is doing well during the day. Your trusted pet sitter can check in on your cat while you are transitioning back to a normal routine.

More tips for preventing cat behavior problems during COVID-19 isolation are available from Pam Johnson-Bennett.