Byline: Claire HillDIVORCE has long been seen as a difficult time for children, but experts are now ...

1. It's a dog's life for family pets when their owners get
divorced; Animals can suffer behaviour problems through
break-ups.
Byline: Claire Hill
DIVORCE has long been seen as a difficult time for children, but experts are now warning it can be
just as distressing on family pets.
They say cats and dogs especially can become affected by the disruption.
While animals may not be able to talk, they communicate with changes of behaviour to depict how
the change in routine is affecting them.
More than 160,000 divorces took place in the UK in 2002, the highest number since 1997 and six
times the number in 1961.
And it seems it is having an effect on our beloved animals, especially man's best friend.
Pet insurer More Thgt;n estimates that just under 30,000 pets were affected by their owners' divorce
last year - with many suffering stress or behaviour problems as a result.
Cats and dogs can suffer from behavioural problems and stress when their owners go their separate
ways. This could stem from the continuous shouting and arguing that may have occurred or the need
to move location and lose one 'parent' once the separation happens.
Gwen Bailey, pet behaviour expert said, 'Pets often have horrible times during break-ups,
particularly if they are sensitive or if they have to be re-homed as a result, and especially if couples
rage and fight before the break-up.'
The saying 'not in front of the children' should apply to dogs too', she said.
The RSPCA says many animals were given up for adoption because of divorce and that relationship
breakdowns were seen as a 'significant factor' in animal re-homing.
The charity said this was the reason owners gave up between 20 and 60% of dogs and 10 and 40% of
cats.
The report also singled out young couples living together who create a home with a pet as the type
more likely to give away an animal.
They said they 'dispose of their pets in the same way they do the furniture - the kettle and cat
syndrome - no longer any need for the kettle or cat.'
The RSPCA has also introduced a PetSafe scheme which allows owners to arrange foster homes for
domestic pets in various situations.

2. Distressed pets can display numerous behaviour changes which can be annoying for owners.
Animals can begin soiling in the house, become destructive, increase their howling and show
restlessness, irritability and aggression to other animals and people, and suffer weakness to the
immune system.
Numerous books have been written detailing how to help animals cope with divorce and lawyers in
American have even suggested pet-nuptials to decide which partner is allowed to keep the animal.
Emma Magnus, clinical animal behaviourist and writer for Fur and Feather magazine agrees that
your pets can be affected by divorce.
'The majority of the animals we keep as pets are quite sociable.
'Dogs especially are sociable animals who live in groups and if anyone leaves or enters that group it
can cause problems.
'Dogs are particularly attached to their owners and if one moves out it can cause some level of
upset.'
She does not believe this is anywhere near the level of a human's distress but said it can change
behaviour and the attitude of the animal.
A divorce or a break-up can lead animals to be neglected, whether this is a loss of affection or just
means they do not have their usual walk.
'It could be a case that the animal has to be left alone for periods due to the situation, people might
now need to go out to work.
'This change in routine can make the animal distressed when they are left.'
The use of rescue centres in this situation is not necessarily bad, but the animals need a period of re-
adjustment to cope with the changes.
However, the writer and behaviourist believes that people should not be too concerned about their
pets.
'I would not say people should be unduly worrying about their pets as long as they try and keep a
stable routine for them.
'If you notice a change, whether they become aggressive, off their food or distressed and you are
very worried, then take them to the vet,' she said
Celebrities and their pets AMANDA HOLDEN and Les Dennis, pictured, walked their dogs during
their split.
Jennifer Lopez was denied access to her ex-husband, Chris Judd's, dog after the pair split.
A pet drove a Taiwanese couple apart. The marriage was dissolved because the wife wouldn't share
the marriage bed with her husband's cat, which frequently wet the bed.

3. WHAT causes stress in animals:
Fireworks - Around this time of year fireworks are a major problem for animals who dislike the loud
noises and explosions.
Long journeys - Packing your animal up in the car can cause the same sort of distress as a human's
car sickness
Halloween - Believe it or not the constant ringing of doorbells and the scary masks can spook both
cats and dogs who are distracted by all the commotion.
Zoos - Animals such as polar bears and elephants are more likely to become stressed when put in the
zoo, as they are used to vast open spaces.
Weather - Rain and the wind can cause animals distress if they are left out overnight
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