Changes in the health and behaviour of pet dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by the owners

Jezierski, Tadeusz; Camerlink, Irene; Peden, Rachel S. E.; Chou, Jen-Yun; Marchewka, Joanna

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105395

Cited by 24 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Studies measuring the association between pet ownership and mental health or well-being status during the pandemic have found conflicting results. Two studies reported that pet owners perceived that their mental tensions diminished due to the presence of their dog and the ability to walk them in addition to reporting a smaller decrease in mental health and a smaller increase in loneliness during lockdown [ 12 , 13 ]. In contrast, another study found pet ownership to be associated with poorer QoL but not with resilience and loneliness [ 14 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In other words, those most affected by the confinement were also the ones who felt more supported by their pets during that time. The impact of pet or dog ownership on mental health has also been assessed since the beginning of the pandemic in Australia and the UK and in a multi-country (Europe, Americas, Asia, and Australia) study [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. These studies found that companion animal owners perceived that their mental health improved due to their dog or the ability to walk them [ 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The impact of pet or dog ownership on mental health has also been assessed since the beginning of the pandemic in Australia and the UK and in a multi-country (Europe, Americas, Asia, and Australia) study [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. These studies found that companion animal owners perceived that their mental health improved due to their dog or the ability to walk them [ 12 , 13 ]. They also perceived that their mental health and loneliness had not worsened as much as that of non-pet owners [ 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent survey suggests that 38% and 41% of Canadian households have at least one cat and dog, respectively [ 15 ]. Many animal owners perceive that human–animal interactions have a positive impact on their physical and mental health [ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. However, the reported effect of pet ownership on the mental and physical health of elderly populations [ 18 ] or people living with mental health problems [ 16 ] has not always been positive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Denis-Robichaud

Aenishaenslin

Richard

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the association between pet ownership and quality of life (QoL), loneliness, anxiety, stress, overall health, and mental health of Canadians during the COVID-19 pandemic using a One Health perspective. An online bilingual survey was completed by 1500 Canadians in April–May 2021. Socio-demographics, health, QoL, stress and anxiety, loneliness, social support, pet ownership, and attitude towards pets data were collected. Crude and adjusted associations between pet ownership and mental health and well-being indicators were estimated. The 1500 participants were from all provinces and territories, half were women; half of the participants were pet owners by design. The crude association estimates showed that pet owners had poorer QoL, overall health, and mental health than non-pet owners, and were lonelier, more stressed, and more anxious than non-pet owners. Adjusted estimates showed that these associations disappeared with the inclusion of the confounders (socio-economic, demographic, health, and pet-related variables). Our results suggest that there was no association between pet ownership and the mental health and well-being indicators measured in the present study.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Denis-Robichaud

Aenishaenslin

Richard

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Some pandemic-related factors may have made pet acquisition and retention more challenging. During the early months of the pandemic, pet owners commonly expressed concerns about the availability and cost of veterinary care (11)(12)(13). A largescale survey of pet owners in the US conducted during spring and summer 2020 reported that pet owners expressed difficulties securing pet supplies and dealing with their pet's behavioral issues (14).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing Pet Acquisition and Retention During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021

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In March 2020, Americans began experiencing numerous lifestyle changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some reports have suggested that pet acquisition and ownership increased during this period, and some have suggested shelters and rescues will be overwhelmed once pandemic-related restrictions are lifted and lifestyles shift yet again. In May 2021, the ASPCA hired the global market research company Ipsos to conduct a general population survey that would provide a more comprehensive picture of pet ownership and acquisition during the pandemic. Although pet owners care for a number of species, the term pet owner in this study specifically refers to those who had dogs and/or cats. One goal of the survey was to determine whether data from a sample of adults residing in the United States would corroborate findings from national shelter databases indicating that animals were not being surrendered to shelters in large numbers. Furthermore, this survey gauged individuals' concerns related to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, and analyses examined factors associated with pet owners indicating they were considering rehoming an animal within the next 3 months. The data showed that pet ownership did not increase during the pandemic and that pets may have been rehomed in greater numbers than occurs during more stable times. Importantly, rehomed animals were placed with friends, family members, and neighbors more frequently than they were relinquished to animal shelters and rescues. Findings associated with those who rehomed an animal during the pandemic, or were considering rehoming, suggest that animal welfare organizations have opportunities to increase pet retention by providing resources regarding pet-friendly housing and affordable veterinary options and by helping pet owners strategize how to incorporate their animals into their post-pandemic lifestyles.

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Pet Keeping in the Time of COVID-19: The Canine and Feline Companions of Young Children

Jalongo

2021

Early Childhood Educ J

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Amid COVID-19, children’s interactions with pet animals in the household were at times strengthened, strained, or established anew. Extensive periods of confinement made the home environment not only the site for most family activities but also the hub for children’s school and many adults’ work. Research on the role of pets during the pandemic has consisted primarily of online surveys with the general finding that sweeping changes to daily living had major consequences for the dynamics between pets and people. This article addresses issues related to young children and pet keeping within the context of the recent world health crisis and the resultant lockdowns. First, it describes how the definition of a pet has changed. It then examines children’s attachments to dogs and cats, the two species most frequently chosen as pets for young children worldwide. Next, it highlights the potential risks and rewards of children cohabitating with cats and dogs at a time when many families were sequestered in homes. The article concludes with a discussion of the limitations and contributions of research on pet keeping during COVID-19 and suggests appropriate next steps that take into consideration the welfare of young children and their companion animals.

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Changes in the health and behaviour of pet dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by the owners

Cited by 24 publications

References 25 publications

Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Association between Pet Ownership and Mental Health and Well-Being of Canadians Assessed in a Cross-Sectional Study during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Characterizing Pet Acquisition and Retention During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pet Keeping in the Time of COVID-19: The Canine and Feline Companions of Young Children

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