Profs and Pints Online presents: “Pets’ Pandemic Problems,” with Dr. Sally J. Foote, instructor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and veterinary behavior consultant.

[ This talk will remain available in recorded form at the link given here for tickets and access.]

By forcing many people to work and spend most of their free time at home, the pandemic has been a mixed blessing for dogs and cats. While they seem happy to see more of us, it also has disrupted their usual daily routines in ways that have them acting out. And it could be setting them up for trouble when life returns to some semblance of normal and they again find themselves home alone.

Come join Dr. Sally Foote, a veterinarian educator and consultant and expert on low-stress animal care, for a discussion of dogs’ and cats’ behavior problems from shut-in orders. She’ll help you understand exactly what your furry friends might be going through and what you can do to help them and keep them content.

She’ll describe how dogs are benefitting tremendously from the added time and attention we are giving them, but this could lead to them experiencing increased separation anxiety problems when we leave them. It’s something you’ll want to avoid for the sake of everyone involved.

Cats, on the other hand, might be displaying more aggression as they find themselves sharing space with more humans, facing increased competition for their perches, and unexpectedly living in high-traffic areas.

Dr. Foote will offer insights into why our pets’ problematic behaviors emerge. She’ll describe how we can mitigate disruptions for them, work with their natural behaviors in a manner cognizant of their life-stage needs, and get effective assistance from veterinarians for whatever problems might arise.

Your friends under the desk or off snoozing somewhere will be grateful for what you’ve learned.

Profs & Pints Online: Pets' Pandemic Problems