How pets factor into healthcare decisions for COVID-19: A One Health perspective

Abstract

There is evidence that prioritizing pets' welfare can impact the health and well-being of their owners, especially when pet owners have a strong bond with their pet. This carries public health implications, particularly in a global public health emergency such as COVID-19. The study objective was to understand pet owners' consideration of their pets' welfare when making personal healthcare decisions specific to COVID-19. A large sample ( n = 1356) of adult pet owners in the U.S. completed an online survey in April and May of 2020, coinciding with the onset of social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Respondents were asked if they would delay or avoid testing or treatment for COVID-19 due to concern for their pets' welfare, and a follow-up question asked them to elaborate. Multinomial logistic regression models showed that attachment to pets and socioeconomic resources were important factors in pet owners' hypothetical decisions regarding testing and treatment for COVID-19. Qualitative analysis of responses to the follow-up question revealed explanations across three themes: (1) the need to find pet accommodation prior to seeking healthcare; (2) pet-related concerns; and, (3) human-related concerns. Pet owners often cited concern for their pets' welfare as a factor contributing to their decision making; participants' lack of a concrete plan for pet care was most commonly cited as the reason for their delay in seeking healthcare. Results from this study indicate that pet owners experience unique obstacles to accessing healthcare related to COVID-19, which has implications for future public health emergencies. Increased disease spread and prevalence of poor health outcomes could result if pet owners delay or avoid testing or treatment. Communities can benefit from a One Health/One Welfare approach to collaboration between human and animal health and service providers to reduce COVID-19 spread and secure the well-being of people and their pets.

One welfare impacts of COVID-19 – A summary of key highlights within the one welfare framework

“…Keeping pets might help to provide companionship and combat loneliness ( Oliva & Johnston, 2020 ) but it can also become an additional responsibility, making it harder to balance the combined family and kept animals responsibilities, be this a family pet, livestock or any other kept animal. As an example of this, a US survey found that 10% of pet owners might delay or avoid testing themselves for COVID-19, over 10% would delay their own treatment mostly as a result of the need to secure accommodation for pets ( Applebaum et al, 2020a ).…”

Companion Animal Relationships and Adolescent Loneliness during COVID-19

“…Another potential explanation for the mixed findings regarding any buffering effect of pet ownership is the potential for increased stressors such as financial strain related to pet ownership during the pandemic. Several studies of HAI during COVID-19 have suggested that pets may contribute to challenges during the pandemic, including being a potential barrier to accessing healthcare due to challenges with pet care during treatment [ 31 ] and demonstrating increased behavioral problems potentially due to increased stress and changes in owners’ routines during the pandemic [ 1 ]. However, the degree to which financial pressure is relevant to adolescents may vary by family context and age of the adolescent.…”

The Impact of Pets on Everyday Life for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…It is important to note, however, that recent research suggests strong attachment bonds with pets may be indicative of greater psychological vulnerability and lower resilience, particularly during adverse scenarios like the COVID-19 pandemic (26), and when social support from people may be lacking (27). Further, strong bonds with pets and low levels of social support have also been shown to predict delays in seeking healthcare (28,29).…”