Top tips to keep your pet entertained during Valentine's Day

But as any pet owner will know, this is not always easy when pets are nearby.

A new study conducted by pet wellness experts, Itch, found a staggering 67% of Brits feel the need to change positions during their most intimate moments to avoid the pets staring at them.

Other results show that 10% of pet owners are having less sex since welcoming their four-legged companions into their home.

Whilst many pets aren’t phased by their parents’ romping, 15% of dogs will cry out for attention, 12% try to play with their owners thinking it’s a game, and 7% jump on their owner thinking they are play fighting. 

People involved in the study shared their most embarrassing memories of getting intimate while their pet is nearby. (Canva)

People involved in the study shared their most embarrassing memories of getting intimate while their pet is nearby, these include:

• Dogs mistaking their owner’s ‘toy’ as their own 
• Dogs trying to wedge themselves in between their owners to put a stop to their love-making 
• Cats sitting and staring down their owners  
• Cats trying to play with their owner’s feet 

And it seems out pets are disrupting a number of private moments for UK pet owners.

Some of the other private things Brits are most likely to do in their pet’s presence include cuddling (59%), kissing (56%) and going to the toilet (50%).

Leading dog trainer and behaviourist, Oli Juste said owners might be more bothered about their antics than their animals but have tips on how to keep your dog distracted.

He said: “As a dog behaviourist the conversation around sex in front of your dogs does occasionally pop up with friends (especially after a couple of cocktails) and sometimes with clients too.

“The survey suggests that over a third of pets walk away should they witness their humans having sex, and a quarter fall asleep (please don’t take it personally), showing they ultimately don’t care.”  

He added: “However, the survey reports that 14% have been known to bark at the partner and 7% even thought their owners were having a fight.

“For dogs that show more interest, there are ways you can keep them calm and relaxed whilst you’re having sex.

“Keeping them entertained with a toy or with familiar games and food dispensing toys in another room is a way to relax them. I’d also suggest avoiding allowing dogs to sleep on your bed as they may guard you and your bed.” 

Differences in animal behaviour are also apparent. Cats are most likely to either walk away (40%) or sit and watch (28%), whereas dogs are most likely to fall asleep (25%) or bark at their owner’s partner (18%). 

Behaviour differs between cats and dogs. (Canva)

Dr Lauren Finka, an animal welfare and behaviour specialist explain why cats behave differently.

She said: “Compared to dogs, cats are usually more into having their own personal space and probably don’t mind if we need to ignore them for a while.

“Well socialised cats will certainly enjoy being around humans, although they tend to be less keen to monopolise our attention in the same ways that dogs try to.

“However, some cats can be the exception to this rule and may be extremely focused on their owners, particularly when our attention is elsewhere! 

“There are a number of ways you can get your cats to focus on other things (other than you and your partner).

“Although confining them to a room is an option, you also need to manage their expectations and teach them that during certain ‘activities’ they won’t be given attention, then be consistent with this."

She added: "Making sure they have something fun and stimulating to do on their own, such as experimenting with new toys filled with catnip or a puzzle feeder, are important in taking their focus elsewhere.” 

Research consisted of 1323 UK adult pet and dog owners by Research Without Barriers.

Oli Juste and Dr Lauren Finka have shared some more guidance and tips on how to keep your pets entertained and distracted whilst you get busy in a blog post, which is available on Itch’s website.