Pets and the internet

Online generation

A big part of our lives is shared and spent through technology. We sit behind computer screens, use tablets and smartphones for many hours a day. Compared to 10 years ago, humans spend twice as much time online; the younger generation (17-24 years old) almost 27 hours each week, as recent studies have shown.

How is this time spent with technology affecting our relationship with pets? Is this time compensated? And what impact does ‘online’ have on the pet-owner bond? 

More… or less personal contact?

Remote work arrangements using internet resources, mean owners can stay home with their dogs rather than leaving them alone while commuting to their city workplace. In the US in 2015, 23% of workers reported remote working capability in their jobs. Nevertheless, worrying data from UK pet health charity People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) indicate that, in 2015, over 2.7 million dogs in the UK did not get a daily chance to exercise off the lead outside home or garden. Indeed, 2.3 million dogs were left alone for five hours or more on a weekday – presumably while owners are out working. Perhaps an increase in remote, internet-based working would help reduce these numbers, but not all jobs offer this opportunity.

Reduced exercise

Along with increasing obesity rates for humans, our pets are also affected by weight gain from an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. In the US the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention records that over 50% of both pet dogs and cats are overweight or obese. Reasons are attributed to ill health of the animal, over-feeding, and not enough exercise. Even though online access means a lot of time can be saved, our lifestyles are ‘too busy’ nowadays to exercise or even recognize that our pets are too fat.

Online trading

Without doubt, the pet industry has experienced a rapid growth – which has now matured and  stabilized in many countries – facilitated by the ease of purchase through mass-market websites, such as Amazon and eBay. Growth is still accelerating in countries like India, Mexico, China, Thailand and South Korea, demand from pet owners for pet supplies is increasing too. Worldwide products can be supplied cheaper through online sites that enable pet owners to seek a wider variety for their pets. Online prescription sources for veterinary products allow consumers to shop around to get the best value; this can help improve their pets’ welfare by making treatments more readily affordable.

Behaviour issues

Not only physical pet products are simpler to obtain online, pet owners now also have extended access to advice on pet behaviour issues. However, there is no quality control on such advice. Behaviour consultants report that clients seeking internet advice for their pets’ problems are not capable of discerning appropriate interventions or diagnosing appropriately. This can lead to serious deterioration of the pet’s behaviour.

Online pet owner networks

An often-heard joke is that the internet would cease to exist if videos of cats were no longer published. Besides videos, social pet groups widely communicate their community events online. Online groups organize community dog walks, for instance through Facebook. They combine their shared interests with social contacts that might otherwise not exist.

Cats and dogs are social creatures. Our pets provide us with companionship and interaction. Whether sitting on our lap at the computer, or out and about on a walk, we humans still choose them to be a significant part of our family. Pets have no choice but to learn to match our online lifestyle.