England captain Harry Kane (Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto, Getty Images)
Millions of Britons are transforming their homes into matchday venues this summer, with over half (51%) watching to support their side alongside friends and family at home.
However, as World Cup fever continues to grip our social media feeds and diaries, new research from Animal Friends Pet Insurance indicates that far fewer are considering how the excitement might impact their pets.
Research from Animal Friends shows that while 73% of pet owners hosting matchday get-togethers ensure they have sufficient food and drink for guests, nearly one in four (24%) acknowledge they give little or no thought to how their pet will handle the extra noise, visitors and upheaval that accompanies hosting.
The findings reveal a widening gap between how owners perceive matchday excitement and how pets experience the identical environment. More than half (57%) of pet owners report they have observed their pet display signs of stress during social gatherings at home, indicating the problem is already unfolding in living rooms nationwide.
Matchday hosting can present numerous stress triggers for pets. Indeed, 41% of pet owners acknowledge multiple disturbances to their usual household routines during matchday gatherings – including louder cheering and shouting (20%), televisions or music turned up (19%), more people in the home than usual (15%), doors and garden gates being opened more frequently (11%) and food or drink being left within reach (11%).
Dogs can get nervous and anxious just like humans (Image: Getty)
While each alteration may appear insignificant on its own, collectively they can generate a considerably more chaotic environment for pets.
Jen Wormleighton, Head of Veterinary Services at Animal Friends Pet Insurance, said: “Major sporting moments bring people together, but they can also create environments that feel overwhelming and unpredictable for pets. It’s often the combination of factors – louder noise, unfamiliar faces and changes to routine – that can lead to stress.. We know pet owners don’t set out to create these situations for their furry friends, but simple things like louder environments, more people in the home or food being left out can all have an impact. The key isn’t asking people to change how they enjoy matchday, but helping them make small, practical adjustments that ensure their pets feel safe and secure too.”
We know pet owners don’t set out to create these situations for their furry friends, but simple things like louder environments, more people in the home or food being left out can all have an impact. The key isn’t asking people to change how they enjoy matchday, but helping them make small, practical adjustments that ensure their pets feel safe and secure too.”
To assist owners in managing matchday at home, Animal Friends has developed its World Pup Pet Safety Playbook, structured around a straightforward ‘GOAL’ method:.
Look after your pets during the match (Image: undefined)
Pets manage better when they feel they have command of their surroundings. Making sure they can access a calm, recognisable space away from the main hubbub enables them to withdraw when things get hectic, rather than being trapped amidst commotion and unknown activity.
O – Offset unpredictability
It’s frequently abrupt reactions such as cheering, shouting or bursts of noise that spark stress responses. Establishing distance from these instances, or maintaining a more steady environment, can help pets feel more comfortable.
Matchdays typically bring multiple alterations at once, more visitors, noisier households, disrupted schedules and food being left around. Together, these minor changes can rapidly accumulate into stress or heighten the risk of problems such as scavenging or escape.
L – Look for early signs
Early warning signs of stress can be understated, including pacing, withdrawal or shifts in behaviour. Acting early, by lessening stimulation or providing pets space, is considerably more effective than waiting until a pet is clearly distressed.