How Modern Lifestyles Affect Pet Behaviour – and How to Adapt

Our world has changed dramatically in just a couple of generations – and so has life for our pets.

While cats and dogs still have the same instincts and needs as their ancestors, their environment, routines, and the way we interact with them have shifted.

The good news? By understanding how these lifestyle changes affect pet behaviour, we can make small but powerful adjustments to keep them happy, healthy, and well-behaved.

1. Longer work hours and two-adult working households

It was once more common for one adult to be home most of the day. Now, with more single households and more homes in which both adults are working long hours, pets spend more time alone.

Impact on pets:

• Dogs may develop boredom, anxiety, or destructive habits.
• Cats may become withdrawn or overly clingy when owners are home.

How to adapt:

• Build in morning and evening exercise and enrichment, such as walks, interactive play, training games, or scent work.
• Consider doggy day care, a midday dog walker, or a neighbour check-in for dogs.
• For cats, offer puzzle feeders, climbing shelves, and safe viewing spots by windows to keep them engaged.
• Create an enriching at-home environment considering things like indoor and outdoor access, plenty of toys, a digging pit or paddling pool for dogs, a catio for cats.
• A pet camera can allow you to check in on and even communicate with your pets throughout the working day, and some even allow you to dispense treats!
• Cats are better adapted to longer stretches of time alone, so consider a cat when choosing a pet if you are in this situation.

2. Smaller homes and yards

Urban living often means smaller backyards – or no private outdoor space at all.

Impact on pets:

• Dogs have fewer opportunities to stretch their legs or explore freely.
• Cats may miss the exploration their ancestors enjoyed.

How to adapt:

• Prioritise daily walks in varied environments and use indoor play and fun training sessions to burn energy.
• Create vertical spaces indoors for cats, and offer safe outdoor access such as catios or harness walks. I really like to train my cats to travel with me and walk on a harness – it also grows a much more emotionally resilient and social cat.
• Consider breeds that are better adapted for this type of living.

3. Less outdoor time overall

We’re spending more time indoors, and so are our pets.

Impact on pets:

• Dogs may have fewer chances for socialisation and mental stimulation.
• Cats may become bored or develop unwanted behaviours.

How to adapt:

• Schedule regular outings for dogs that include sniffing, exploring, and socialising – not just quick toilet breaks.
• For cats, rotate toys, use interactive feeders, and create different “lookouts” to keep their environment fresh. Consider a catio or harness training to allow for safe outdoor time.
• Find ways to enjoy more outdoor time together with your pet – pack up your dinner and have it as a picnic at the park, meet friends for walks instead of drinks, go to pet-friendly cafés. I take my cat on picnics with us as well as the dog!

4. Working from home

Many of us now work remotely, meaning pets often have us around all day.

Impact on pets:

• Dogs and cats may become overly dependent on constant company.
• Greater risk of separation anxiety when routines change.

How to adapt:

• Build in regular periods each day where your pet is outside or in a separate room or space without you (unable to see or hear you). Aim for a minimum of two hours per day.
• Consider occasionally working away from home for a couple of hours – at a local library, café or co-working space.
• Give them a chew, puzzle, or comfy spot so alone time feels safe and rewarding.
• You may need to build up to this if your pet has already developed some separation distress.
• This is more important for dogs, who are at greater risk of developing severe separation anxiety.

5. Greater awareness of safety and wildlife protection

In New Zealand, more owners are keeping cats indoors or restricting their outdoor access to protect native wildlife – and to keep cats safe from traffic and other dangers. Dogs are often kept on the lead more frequently for the same reason.

Impact on pets:

• Cats may become frustrated if they’re not given adequate indoor stimulation to make up for this.
• Dogs may spend more time on-lead, reducing opportunities to run free and enjoy the play, enrichment and exercise that results from it.

How to adapt:

• For cats, replicate hunting through play – feather wands, treat puzzles, and chase games. Consider harness training your cat for a safe way to offer outdoor stimulation without risking harm to your cat or local wildlife.
• For dogs, focus on sniff-based games and seek out safe off-lead exercise in dedicated dog-friendly areas. Work on recall to ensure you can do so safely! Meet up with other dog-friends for playdates in safe, contained areas. You can also teach your puppy to be respectful of other species through cross-fostering training (best done early!).

6. Busier, more structured lives

Between work, school runs, and activities, schedules can be crammed in this modern day.

Impact on pets:

• Interaction and walks can become rushed “tick-the-box” tasks (or not happen frequently enough).
• Less spontaneous play or downtime together.

How to adapt:

• Treat play and training as essential appointments – even 10 minutes of focused attention can be more beneficial than a distracted half-hour.
• Consider how you can incorporate your pet into your daily activities – can your dog come along to watch your child’s sports games? Is your workplace pet-friendly? Can you book a pet-friendly holiday when it’s time for a break? Can your dog come along for errands? Build time with them into your busy life. I take my cat with me too, and give him short walks on a harness to the local café! (Just take care to pay attention to your surroundings and any dogs in the area if taking a cat out walking).

7. Increased urban noise and stimulation

Many pets live surrounded by constant noise – traffic, construction, sirens, neighbours.

Impact on pets:

• Some adapt easily, but others develop sound sensitivities or stress. Dogs may become hyper-alert and bark down the neighbourhood at every sound they hear.

How to adapt:

• Provide quiet “safe spaces” at home, use calming music, and slowly desensitise pets to common sounds.
• Remember that prevention is always better than cure – introduce noises such as traffic, sirens and fireworks early in your pet’s life in a positive way to prevent these sensitivities
• Offer plenty of distraction by way of enrichment toys, puzzle feeders etc.

8. Technology taking our attention

We are spending ever more time on screens, leaving less time for face-to-face interaction with pets.

Impact on pets:

• Missed bonding opportunities.
• Pets may become frustrated or develop attention-seeking behaviours.

How to adapt:

• Schedule device-free pet time – play, grooming, or training without distractions.
• Let your pet snuggle up on your lap while you’re having your device time, the close physical contact is immensely beneficial to both of you!

9. Rising pet obesity

Sedentary lifestyles, combined with easy access to treats is leading to increased pet obesity.

Impact on pets:

• Higher risk of joint issues, diabetes, and reduced quality of life.

How to adapt:

• Use treats for training, balance with portion control, and make mealtimes active with puzzle feeders or scatter feeding.
• Incorporate more active games and exercise into your pet’s routine.
• Feed quality food and ensure the right portions, avoid feeding human scraps and regular fatty treats.

10. More multi-pet households

Families are now more likely to have multiple cats, multiple dogs, or a mix of both.

Impact on pets:

• Though the company can be hugely beneficial for your pet, without the right management it can result in tension from competition for resources and attention, dominance issues, or other stress-based problems.

How to adapt:

• Provide multiple feeding areas, litter trays, and resting spots (particularly for cats).
• Desex your pets (especially males) to decrease the risk of dominance issues and indoor marking.
• Some pets may require one-on-one training sessions with you to address any problematic behaviours.
• Ensure you have a good understanding of your pet’s body language so you can read the dynamics accurately and respond appropriately.

The bottom line

Modern life brings plenty of changes for our pets – some challenging, but many positive too. With a bit of creativity and understanding, we can adapt our homes, routines, and interactions to meet their needs, ensuring our cats and dogs thrive in today’s world.