We all love our furry friends, but during quarantine, how have our relationships with our pets changed?
Having to manage a workload from home can be a bit stressful. There are so many factors to consider. However, many people have to manage doing all this while still taking care of their pets.
“The biggest difficulty has been the distraction,” said Corey Vetos, a student of the University of Wyoming and owner of two cats. “I love my pets and shower them with affection, even when I should be focusing on a task.”
Pets take a lot of care even when the owner is not home. It can be hard to prioritize work over interacting with pets along with taking care of them normally.
“When I’m working at home with my pets, they tend to always want to be with me,” said Jessalee West, a student at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and owner of a dog and cat.
West said she has had problems with her cat sitting on what she is working on and not moving, causing her to have to stop working to move him.
Some pets present unique challenges on their own that have only been amplified by having to go through quarantine.
Danielle Server, a UW student, said her parents got a new puppy not long before the stay-at-home orders in Colorado. The puppy has so much energy, it is difficult to keep up with him, especially now that everyone is working from home.
“I usually try to help at night, but with the load of homework that my professors have given me, it has been hard to balance things,” said Server. “Although he is a sweet and feisty boy, he can be a real problem if we need to get to work.”
Many good things can come from the responsibility of pets during quarantine. Although it may seem like a chore in the moment, taking a break from work to let you pet out or feed them can prevent burnout from working nonstop for hours.
Also, with so many people taking walks through their neighborhoods, pets make the perfect walking companion. It is also great for both the owner’s and pet’s health.
Social distancing has also made human contact decrease to a minimum, but pets do not have to worry about distancing. They are there even when other people cannot be.
“With social distancing measures in place and many of my friends leaving Laramie, having pets has been a comfort during lonelier times,” said Vetos.
Stress and anxiety has also increased with quarantining. Some people are worried about new systems of doing work along with the threat of COVID-19.
“If I become frustrated at something, it’s a good stress relief to just be able to pet them or play with them for a few minutes,” said West.
Vetos is also grateful to have his pets around to help ease the stress and anxiety. He said tasks become less tedious and overwhelming with the company of his pets.
“Having my pets around while I’m in the middle of some stressful work has helped me to calm down and worry less,” said Vetos.
Also, many pets have been featured on video calls to share the joy to others. Many people love to see their coworkers’ and fellow students’ pets when on video conferences. However, this can be a hindrance, as pets can be interruptive and distracting when owners really need to work and complete tasks.
Whether it is making owners take a break or distracting them from work, pets have had a big impact on their owners during quarantine. Spreading their love and joy can be a good way to help people stay positive in an uncertain time.
