As the coronavirus pandemic (新冠疫情) wears on, one thing is clear: Many of us are turning to pets to help us deal with this challenging time in history.
In fact, as people remain stuck at home, the demand for adopting or fostering pets, particularly dogs, has risen worldwide, from Canada to India. Between March and September 2020, the number of foster pets in U.S. homes increased by 8 percent, according to PetPoint, which collects industry data on pet adoption.
While the health benefits of having a pet are well known – from lowering blood pressure to reducing stress – the relationship is complex, and how pet owners and their pets are coping during lengthy lockdowns (封锁) is an open question.
To find out, researchers in Spain, Israel, and the United Kingdom conducted online surveys of pet owners in their countries. Their studies, published in three separate scientific journals, found that overall our animal friends have provided additional comfort.
But the research also revealed (揭示) some concerning developments: Pandemic restrictions are making pet owners concerned for their pets' well-being. Not only that, but some pets are exhibiting signs of stress, such as increased barking(吠), fear of loud or sudden noises, and anxiety when at home alone.
In April 2020, Jon Bowen, a behavior consultant (顾问) at the Royal Veterinary College in London, asked 1,297 dog and cat owners in Spain questions about their feelings toward their pets and their animals' recent behavior. Most owners said their pets had provided "substantial support" during the pandemic, yet 62 percent of respondents (调查对象) said they thought their pets' quality of life had decreased. About 41 percent also reported observing behavioral changes in their animals during the pandemic, particularly dogs that had experienced behavioral problems in the past.
Plenty of research shows that dogs have emotions and can absorb what their owners are feeling – particularly if an owner is emotionally dependent on them, says Bowen, whose study appeared in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior in May 2020.