Human friends: how to make the life of pets in the metropolis happier

In the new episode of the podcast “What has changed?” we discuss how to reduce the stress of your pets, how a cynologist differs from a zoopsychologist and how guardianship works in zoos

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Edition guests:

Vladimir Urazhevsky is the President of the Union of Cynological Organizations of RUSSIA and a veterinary DOCTOR. Vladimir told how animals help us to be physically and mentally healthier and why dog ​​owners should contact a cynologist. Yulia Mysheva is a blogger, cynologist and animal psychologist. Julia explained what zoopsychologists do and why petting zoos and pet cafes are bad.

The host of the podcast is tech blogger Sergey Romantsev.

Conversation timeline

01:33 — Why does everyone need a pet?

04:32 — Is it possible to raise a dog without a cynologist?

10:01 - Can the animal's behavior problems be corrected?

10:49 am – Pocket dog trend

16:56 — Pet-friendly offices in Russia

18:20 — Why cat cafes and petting zoos are bad

19:47 - Breeder, shelter or street: where is the best place to take an animal?

23:06 — Are our cities ready for pets?

25:06 - How are things in the shelters?

28:11 — How animals affect mental and physical HEALTH

30:45 — Do dogs love their owners more than cats?

33:52 — How is animal care in zoos arranged?

35:46 — Is it worth feeding homeless animals?

40:43 — Are there any laws regarding the treatment of pets?

44:03 — Why is the pet market so expensive?

Conversation Highlights

Vladimir Urazhevsky is sure that everyone needs to have a pet. It is important to carefully consider which animal is right for you. For those who cannot devote much time to a pet, it is better to choose a hamster or fish. Cats and especially dogs require time and material investments for proper upbringing, maintenance, nutrition and quality joint pastime. In addition, the decision about the pet must be made by all members of the household. Yulia Mysheva adds that suddenly presenting an animal as a gift is a bad idea, because it imposes a great responsibility on a person, for which he may not be ready.

Zoopsychology has existed in Russia for about ten years, says Yulia. It involves working with the pet's behavior through identifying its needs, reducing stress levels. This is a deeper work than that of a cynologist, who, as a rule, is engaged in training.

Many animals now have mental and behavioral problems. Julia believes that this happened as a result of uncontrolled breeding, in which breeders select animals for mating in appearance, and not in physical and psychological health. The behavior of the dog can be corrected by contacting a specialist, but you need to understand that this will take some time - from a week to a year.

Experts explain that life in the city is a lot of stress for both humans and pets. Lack or lack of places for walking within walking distance, city noise, crowding of people and other animals lead to the fact that the dog cannot walk well. Hence the trend for small breeds - it is easier to take them to a walking place or, for example, take them with you to a pet-friendly office.

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There are many sports and games that can be played with dogs. For example, nosework (from the English nosework, “work with the nose”) - the dog learns to identify the desired smell. This activity is suitable for older dog owners, because it does not require much physical activity, but at the same time it develops the animal. Among professional sports - agility, overcoming an obstacle course by a dog. There are also dances with dogs or canine freestyle - performing commands and tricks to the music.

Animals in petting zoos and pet cafes are most often unhappy, says Yulia Mysheva. In such establishments, animals are forced to constantly contact with visitors and cannot rest. The exception is pet cafes, where animals have shelters where they can escape from people, as well as places where animals are looking for owners.

Shelters often cannot afford to hire a zoopsychologist to correct the behavior of animals. Because of this, many adopted pets end up on the streets because the new owners are unable or unwilling to deal with the pet's mental problems.

A dog is not a suitable pet for people who work hard and cannot afford a walker or dog sitter. In Sweden, for example, the rights of pets are fixed by law - the owners are obliged to check the condition of the pets at least twice a day and spend as much time with them as they need. Those people who spend most of their time in the office cannot provide the animal with the socialization necessary for its well-being.

Russia also has a federal law “On Responsible Treatment of Animals”, adopted at the end of 2018. It contains requirements for keeping pets, provisions for the protection of wild animals and domestic animals from cruelty. Vladimir Urazhevsky believes that the law promotes the right things, but is not particularly enforced.

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It is now popular to adopt animals from shelters and from volunteers. If a volunteer promotes a cat or dog at exhibitions or in social networks, such an animal is more likely to find an owner.

Pets improve the physical and mental health of people. Thus, dog owners are less at risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, scientists have found that when a person and a dog communicate, the concentration of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for pleasant emotions, increases in the brain of both.

Contrary to the stereotype, cats become attached to the owner in the same way as dogs. They, too, experience separation stress and can be just as devoted friends.

If your lifestyle does not allow you to have a pet at home, you can become an animal guardian at the zoo. Guardianship involves financial support for the animal, and in some cases, you can bring food or items for play. In addition, you can take care of animals in shelters, help with finances, come and walk dogs, communicate with cats, socialize them. This will give them a better chance of being adopted.