A recent study conducted by Niwako Ogata, Hsin-Yi Weng, and a colleague from Purdue University in the US sheds light on the dynamic relationship between pet ownership, stress, and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, reveal that US dog and cat owners grew closer to their pets during the pandemic. However, the intricate connections between pet ownership, stress, and loneliness are complicated, and pet ownership did not conclusively alleviate stress and loneliness levels overall during the pandemic. Statistical analysis of survey responses showed that dog owners experienced greater reductions in stress and loneliness during the reopening and recovery periods compared to cat owners and those without pets. Nonetheless, the researchers did not find statistically sound evidence that pet ownership eased participants’ stress and loneliness levels during the pandemic, and cat owners generally experienced more stress and loneliness than non-pet owners. Nonetheless, separating out different types of loneliness showed that, compared to non-pet owners, pet owners reported less loneliness specifically related to romantic relationships. The researchers will continue to collect similar data through 2023 to capture any further changes in pet-owner relationships, stress, and loneliness.
