A third of UK pet owners think their dog or cat acts differently during Mercury Retrograde

A third of UK pet owners think their dog or cat acts differently during Mercury Retrograde
It’s more than a mad half hour (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If your dog is acting strangely today, it may not be because they’re trying to signal for treats or walkies.

In fact, it could all be to do with astrology, with 32% of pet owners believing that Mercury Retrograde causes their pets to act strangely. A survey from pet wellbeing specialist ITCHpet.com asked owners about some of the strange things their animals got up to, and it seems they’re having more than a mad half hour at times.

Acting like a human, trying to do a forward roll, sleeping in an empty bathtub and even sucking on a baby’s dummy were among some of the unusual behaviours cited, and although 48% of owners found these things funny, 20% had even taken their pet to the vet as a result.

Mercury Retrograde is a time in the astrological calendar where the planet appears to move backwards.

It’s attributed to disorganisation and frustration when it comes to communication, and astrologers advise people to avoid making big decisions or signing contracts during this time where possible.

If pet owners have noticed the Retrograde wreacking havoc in their own lives, it’s understandable that they’d see their pets acting oddly and assume the same.

Psychic astrologer Jessica Adams spoke about the phenomenon, saying: ‘Pets can do all sorts of unusual things and a lot of the time we, as humans, can find it thoroughly entertaining. It’s what makes our pets so loveable.

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‘However, their quirky goings-on might be down to more than just a ‘funny five minutes’ – as it could be due to something called Mercury in retrograde.

‘Mercury is the planet that actually rules pets. When it appears to go backwards and forwards, moving in peculiar ways, so does life in general – according to your horoscope. This is what’s known as Mercury Retrograde. And animals also get affected.’

‘In 2020 we have Mercury Retrograde, and Mercury Petrograde, three times; February and March. June and July. October and November.

‘So, if you think your pet’s behaving strangely, the answer is in the stars – with astrology at play.’

The recent Retrograde began on February 18, and ends on March 9, so keen an eye on your furry friends and the stars during this time.

Interestingly, two-thirds of respondents also said their cats and dogs have a ‘sixth sense’ when it comes to mood changes in the atmosphere (66%), suggesting we definitely believe our pets have supernatural capabilities.

Yet, worryingly, one in 10 believe fleas are a cause of animal antics which are out of the norm (11%), and a third were unaware fleas and worms can affect their pet’s behaviour (32%).

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Charlotte Harper, co-founder of ITCHpet, said: ‘We love our pets regardless of their weird and wonderful behaviour and celebrate everything about them – from the good, the bad and the ugly.

‘But whether unusual antics are in the stars or not, it’s incredibly important to regularly check your pet for fleas and worms, as behavioural differences can also be down to their health and something they aren’t able to tell you about.

‘Which is why we recommend treating your pet for fleas every month and being sure to worm them quarterly.’

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