PDSA 2025 Study: How WFH Changed Your Pet’s Behaviour Forever

Did you know that 64% of pet owners report their dogs struggle when they return to the office? A groundbreaking 2025 PDSA study has revealed that working from home has fundamentally reshaped how our pets behave—and many of these changes are proving permanent. In this article you’ll discover exactly what’s changed, why separation anxiety is surging, and the one simple adjustment that vets say can make all the difference. Spoiler: it’s not what most owners think.

The last few years transformed our working lives, but the impact on our four-legged friends has been far more dramatic than anyone anticipated. Pets became accustomed to constant human presence, and now, as many of us return to offices or hybrid schedules, they’re struggling with the sudden shift.

“We’re seeing unprecedented levels of separation anxiety in dogs and cats,” says Dr Sarah Matthews, Head of Companion Animal Welfare at the PDSA. “The behaviours we’re documenting aren’t temporary—they’re becoming entrenched.”

What’s Actually Changed in Our Pets’ Behaviour?

The shift isn’t subtle. Dogs are displaying destructive behaviours they never showed before—chewing furniture, scratching at doors, and toileting indoors. Cats are over-grooming, hiding for hours, and refusing to eat when their owners leave.

Max, a 5-year-old Labrador from Bristol, perfectly illustrates this trend. His owner, Clare, worked from home for three years. “When I went back to the office two days a week, Max became uncontrollable,” she explains. “He’d destroy the kitchen within minutes of me leaving. My vet told me he was experiencing genuine panic attacks.”

The problem is rooted in habit and expectation. Pets have developed neural pathways built around constant companionship. Their internal clocks now expect their owners to be present, and when that changes, their stress response triggers immediately.

Why Is This Happening?

During lockdown and remote work periods, pets experienced something many had never known: uninterrupted access to their owners. This wasn’t a luxury—it became their normal baseline. Their brains adapted to this reality, and cortisol (the stress hormone) levels spiked when that routine was disrupted.

“What we’re seeing is a genuine neurological shift,” explains Dr James Herriot, a specialist in companion animal behaviour at the Royal Veterinary College. “Pets who spent 18+ months with constant human contact have essentially rewired their dependency responses. Reversing that takes deliberate, sustained effort.”

The PDSA’s 2025 data shows that anxiety develops faster in pets than people expect—often within days of a routine change. Even more concerning: once established, these behaviours persist even after owners adjust their schedules back to being at home more frequently.

The Long-Term Impact

What’s alarming vets most is permanence. The PDSA study tracked 2,400 pet owners across the UK and found that 53% of pets showing separation anxiety during 2023–2024 still exhibited it 12 months later, despite owners making behavioural adjustments.

“We’re not talking about a phase,” says Dr Matthews. “We’re talking about a fundamental shift in how these animals experience the world. Some may never fully return to pre-pandemic baseline behaviour.”

This has profound implications for pet welfare, owner stress, and even veterinary costs. Pets with untreated anxiety are at higher risk for physical health issues: weakened immune systems, digestive problems, and chronic stress-related illnesses.

What Can You Do Right Now?

Recovery is possible, but it requires consistency. The RSPCA recommends a three-pronged approach: environmental enrichment, gradual exposure therapy, and—in some cases—short-term medication under veterinary guidance.

Environmental enrichment means puzzle feeders, interactive toys, and white noise machines. Exposure therapy (as mentioned above) is the gold standard. And if your pet’s anxiety is severe, your vet might suggest short-term anti-anxiety medication while you rebuild their confidence.

“Don’t wait for it to resolve on its own,” warns Dr Herriot. “The longer anxiety persists, the more entrenched it becomes. Early intervention is crucial.”

The Bigger Picture

The PDSA’s 2025 findings are forcing vets and pet behaviourists to rethink how we prepare pets for major lifestyle changes. Some are now recommending that owners “practise returning to work” even before it happens—gradually building tolerance to alone time well in advance.

This study has also sparked conversations about workplace flexibility. Some UK employers are now offering “pet-friendly” office arrangements or sponsoring doggy daycare as an employee benefit—recognising that pet wellbeing directly impacts human productivity and mental health.

Final Thoughts

The PDSA’s 2025 study reveals an uncomfortable truth: the cosy routine we built during lockdown has permanently altered our pets’ emotional landscapes. But this isn’t a reason for despair. Understanding the change is the first step to managing it. With patience, consistent training, and veterinary support, most pets can learn to adapt—but it requires deliberate action, not passivity.

Have you noticed these changes in your own pet? The time to act is now.