Abstract
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.
Highlights
The World Health Organization declared the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)a global pandemic in March 2020
The objectives of this study were to assess the association between pet ownership and the quality of life (QoL), overall health, loneliness, anxiety, stress, and mental health of Canadians during the confinement measures put in place in response to the second wave of COVID-19 in Canada
5% of respondents reported that at least one person had tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 6 months in their household
Summary
The World Health Organization declared the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)a global pandemic in March 2020. The list and stringency of public health measures varied by province and region and included discouraging international travel, closure of nonessential businesses, self-isolation of those with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 until testing negative. The measures required citizens to self-distance, wear a face mask, and avoid indoor crowded space. Measures such as forbidding private indoor gatherings, implementing curfews, and encouraging all to work from and stay at home were put in place [1]. These measures have resulted, for some people, in increased social
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