Parrots languish from boredom in empty cages, and dogs develop separation anxiety when their owners are often away from home. Humans and their environment exert a profound influence on the welfare of companion animals, yet we remain insufficiently aware of this. ‘No one in IKEA thinks about their cat.’

The coronavirus crisis had an unprecedented impact on our lives. For months, we were subjected to measures that suppressed basic human needs, affected our mental health and restricted our freedom of movement. But what if such conditions were a lifelong, everyday reality—as they are for some companion animals?

There is no shortage of studies highlighting the positive effects of animals on human wellbeing. We know, for example, that pets can reduce stress and alleviate loneliness in their owners. Yet the relationship also works in the opposite direction. As humans, we exert a powerful influence on the emotional lives of our pets—both positive and negative. Far fewer studies have examined this influence in detail.

An emotional bond

Dogs and cats have lived alongside humans for thousands of years. Nevertheless, keeping animals purely for companionship is a relatively recent phenomenon. Until the nineteenth century, four-legged animals were primarily expected to be useful. Dogs guarded farms, hunted game and herded livestock. Cats kept rats and mice at bay in houses and stables. An emotional bond was by no means a given.

Since the twentieth century, however – when affluent urban households began keeping animals as companions – pets have become an integral part of society. In Europe alone, 91 million households own at least one of the continent’s 340 million pets.

‘My cat can’t just step outside as I can. For her, my living space is far more important than it is for me.’

Gradually, more scientific research is being conducted into the welfare of companion animals, and our understanding of them is growing. In his book Dier en mens (Animal and Human), Maarten Reesink, a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, explains, among other things, that animals also have emotions.

When Reesink appeared on the Atlas podcast on Dutch public radio (NPO 1), he referred to a study by an American researcher on rabbits. ‘She wanted to understand what her own living space meant for rabbits. To do so, she forced herself to live literally at the same level as the animals for several days, never rising more than 20 centimetres above the floor.’

The experiment made the researcher realise that her hopping housemates experienced the home in a completely different way. A piece of furniture that was convenient for her turned out to be a significant obstacle for a rabbit.

The study also gave Reesink pause for thought. ‘I live in the centre of Amsterdam. I go outside every day, but my cat spends 24 hours a day looking at the same space. For her, my home is far more important than it is for me.’

‘It is therefore only logical that, when I go to IKEA to buy a new piece of furniture, I should at least consider what that purchase means for my cat. Does it benefit her, or will it mainly be an obstacle?’

Self-mutilation

Reesink’s account illustrates how companion animals live in a world designed to human scale, in homes arranged for our own convenience, yet whose structure they cannot fully comprehend.

For centuries, our relationship with animals was entirely hierarchical. ‘We decided what happened to them,’ Reesink says. That remains true today. We choose to keep pets. We choose to leave them alone during the day, to surrender them to a shelter, or even to have them put down.

These are drastic interventions in an animal’s life. But even when we appear to treat pets reasonably well, our impact can be substantial. Rabbits, for example, are often bought for children, sometimes as a stepping stone towards a dog or cat. They are fluffy and social animals, but they do not always enjoy being cuddled and rarely like being picked up.

Rabbits are prey animals. Approaching them from above to lift them – much like a bird of prey would – does little to reassure them. If a rabbit widens its eyes, screams or stamps its feet in such situations, it is clearly experiencing stress, especially if it is confined to a cage that is too small and offers no escape.

Within that cage, a rabbit must eat, drink, rest, sleep, play and relieve itself. It is therefore crucial that the enclosure is sufficiently large and includes areas for hiding, moving and digging. The Belgian government website huisdierinfo.be states that rabbits benefit from a run measuring at least 160 by 80 centimetres. Ideally, they should also have access to an outdoor space. A dwarf rabbit needs at least 2 square metres, a medium-sized rabbit 3 square metres, with larger breeds requiring even more space.

Aquarium layout

In Belgium, several million fish are kept in aquariums and ponds. Each of the hundreds of species has its own specific requirements, including the layout of the aquarium. Some fish need hiding places, while others prefer open swimming space. All species, however, require sufficient room. When kept too close together, fish may become aggressive, particularly during feeding, or when solitary species are forced to live with others.

Bird owners face similar considerations. Those who keep ornamental birds must also ensure adequate mental stimulation within the cage.

A 2021 study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B shows that parrots in particular, with their relatively large brains, require cognitive stimulation. In experiments, researchers observed abnormal and stereotypical behaviour when such stimulation was lacking. Several birds began chewing on the bars of their cages or plucking out their own feathers. In some cases, this self-mutilation led to tissue damage.

Every animal is unique

Why do we sometimes go wrong in keeping pets, especially rabbits, fish and birds? ‘Everything depends on how we relate to animals,’ says Hans Hopster, who spent many years researching animal behaviour and health at Wageningen University. ‘If you do not truly form a bond with your rabbit, you are less likely to invest significant effort in its welfare.’

According to Hopster, we need to rethink how we view animals. ‘We must take their perspective into account. Rather than seeing pets as representatives of a species, we should see them as individuals. Every animal is unique and has its own needs. One cat may struggle with social contact, while another may thrive on it.’

During the coronavirus pandemic, the bond between humans and pets intensified in many households. Owners were suddenly at home around the clock with their cats or dogs. As restrictions eased and people resumed their former routines, that dynamic changed again. The American ecologist and evolutionary biologist Marc Bekoff observed a new problem emerging, particularly among dogs: an increased risk of separation anxiety.

A dog with separation anxiety experiences a mix of fear and uncertainty when its owner leaves the house, which can lead to problematic behaviour. The dog may bark excessively, destroy furniture or soil the home. Such behaviour is an attempt to cope with an unpleasant situation. Excessive barking and targeted soiling are, for the dog, ways of drawing the attention of the pack in the hope of a swift reunion.

A cat in the city

Some factors affecting pet welfare are less within our control. In 2019, a study published in Psychology & Behavior pointed to the potentially negative effects of urban environments on pets. The authors found that noise, unfamiliar people and environmental changes can be significant stressors. Combined with other risk factors – such as heat, lack of exercise and obesity – these stressors form a dangerous mix that may contribute to cardiovascular disease.

As urbanisation increases, more and more cats are being kept indoors. Having outdoor access benefits their physical and mental wellbeing, as it allows them to hunt, roam, climb and mark their territory. However, more and more studies indicate the detrimental impact of roaming cats on biodiversity. Nevertheless, some owners are compelled to keep their cats indoors. Whether or not these animals are able to meet their natural needs once again depends on the owner.

An indoor cat requires elevated resting and hiding places, a scratching post, toys, greenery such as catnip, fresh air and opportunities for social interaction. These elements encourage natural behaviours like scratching, climbing and playing—behaviour that might otherwise be redirected towards furniture, curtains or other undesirable locations.

Although it is often said that people acquire dogs or cats impulsively, Hopster sees more problems arising with smaller pets. ‘I think hamsters, rats and rabbits are far more often the result of impulse purchases. You can buy them all too easily.’

‘If you acquire sufficient knowledge, make time and financial resources available, and commit to doing so throughout the animal’s life, any pet can be kept responsibly. As long as you understand what the animal needs and are willing to provide it, there is no issue. But the old rule still applies: think before you begin.’

(The Dutch version was published by EOS Wetenschap)