According to new research by dog food brand Laughing Dog, 47 percent of dog owners are dreading having to return to working in an office full time with the prospect of leaving their pets home alone, with one third saying they worry they will both suffer from separation anxiety.
Veterinary expert Dr Michael Lazaris, who is working with British dog food brand Laughing Dog on their new ‘dog happy dinners’ campaign said: "This Laughing Dog research has proven more and more people treat their dog as an important member of the family too, almost as much as their own siblings(!)….British dog owners really do prioritise their pet’s and that health and happiness.
Dr Michel advised that separation anxiety is very real issue and we can all start to take steps to help minimise this:
“Tackle the problem before it becomes an issue…Start working in absences while you’re working from home. So maybe leave your house for about 5 – 10 minutes, just do that once or twice a day to get your dog used to you not being there and then you can gradually increase the time that you are away.
“Another useful tip is you could record or set up a camera while you are out, just to see what your dog is doing so you can see if they are showing any signs of separation anxiety.
“You need to feed your dog or take your dog for walks – it encourages you to go outside. . Even if you are feeling down and out one day or feeling a bit depressed or anxious, your dog gives you something to get up for or go out for.
“You should always have something in place to make sure our dog is not left for more than 4 hours unattended. Many of us are out of the house for maybe 11 or 11 hours a day and if you do own a dog that is definitely something you need to consider and plan for.”
So close is the bond between owner and dog that one third of owners claim they can tell when their furry friend is feeling upset or anxious, with further findings revealing:
Two thirds of Brits have become even closer to their four-legged friends during challenging times within the last 12 months (66 percent). It’s no surprise that 32 percent have found their furry friend to be a lifeline over the last twelve months, with 24 percent adding that caring for their dog has given them something to focus on. Meanwhile 69 percent agree that dogs can help their owners cope better with problems like depression and anxiety.
Dr Lazaris goes on to comment: “What’s equally as extraordinary is how the bond with our dogs has strengthened whilst we’ve been at home during lockdown, with 66% of owners saying they now feel closer to their beloved pets. This shows us how dogs can be an important lifeline when people are suffering with their mental health, something that has become far more prevalent in the past 12 months. As much as we want the absolute best for our furry companions, they clearly want the same for us, which is why feeding them a healthy diet is so important!"
The research also reveals that the dog photo capital of the UK is Liverpool, where owners will snap up to 174 photos a year of their pet pooch. This was closely followed by Glasgow (134), Belfast (128) and Cambridge (121).