The Well-Being of Companion Animal Caregivers and Their Companion Animals during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Pandemics are predicted to increase in frequency, so it is important that lessons are learned from COVID-19. As half of the world’s population has a companion animal in the home, it is also important to understand the pandemic experiences of both animal caregivers and their animals. Since 2020, a vast amount of literature has been published on the psychological well-being of people with companion animals during the COVID-19 pandemic. This review examined the effect of caring for companion animals on humans’ psychological well-being during this global crisis, as well as the benefits and challenges of having a companion animal during the pandemic and perceived effects on animals’ well-being. We reviewed one hundred and twenty-two studies and found positive, negative, and neutral psychological effects of having a companion animal during the pandemic. Animals were described as providing routine, a sense of purpose, distraction from COVID-19 worries, companionship, and emotional support. However, caregivers also reported worries about access to animal food and veterinary services, fears about COVID-19 transmission, concerns about being unable to financially support their animals, and worries about what would happen to their animals if their caregivers were hospitalized. Animals themselves experienced both positive and negative effects of being in lockdown. ABSTRACT: It is important to understand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal caregivers and their companion animals in order to inform responses to future crises. Prior research is inconsistent, with the benefits of animal companionship believed to be overstated. In this scoping review, we searched four electronic databases and hand-searched reference lists of included studies. Over 4000 citations were found, and 122 were included in the review. Reflecting on the pre-COVID literature, quantitative evidence of the association between psychological well-being and animal companionship during the pandemic was mixed, with numerous positive, negative, and null findings reported. Studies highlighted the benefits of animal companionship during the pandemic, with animals reported to provide their caregivers with a routine, a sense of greater purpose, a positive distraction from COVID-19, companionship, and emotional support. However, participants also reported concerns about meeting animals’ needs, fears of animals catching or spreading the virus, and financial worries. Concerns about what would happen to animals if caregivers were hospitalized led some to delay COVID-19 testing or treatment. Animals also experienced benefits (such as increased companionship and calmer mood) and negative impacts (such as increased clinginess and separation anxiety). Companion animals should be a key consideration in emergency preparedness plans.