Dogs trump cats but either are good in a pandemic lockdown

It seems dogs are not intrinsically better than cats in a lockdown, but they may be a catalyst for their owners’ healthier lifestyles.

The dog versus cat argument takes on a new dimension in a Covid-19 lockdown.

The principal benefit of having a dog during a pandemic lockdown might simply be that the need to exercise it ensures the owner also gets regular exercise — and social interaction.

“Dog owners had two themes that were unique to them,” James Cook University psychology lecturer Jessica Oliva said of her recent online survey, which canvassed 384 people including pet owners and non-pet owners.

“Their dogs encouraged them to take them for a walk and offered them an opportunity to socialise with other people. Both walking and socialising are positive in terms of mental health.”

Findings in the paper Puppy love in the time of Corona, co-written with Monash University’s Kim Johnston and published in the International Journal of Social Psychiatry, showed no statistical link between interacting with pets and greater mindfulness and less loneliness.

However, in the qualitative part of the study, pet owners revealed benefits. “Simply owning a dog did appear to buffer the effects of loneliness in some way,” Dr Oliva said. “An important aspect of this was the existence of a physical connection — being able to touch and feel another living creature in the house.”

Both sets of owners said it was important to have a pet as an excuse to talk out loud “which has been shown to improve concentration and performance on cognitive tasks”.

“Qualitative reports from dog owners demonstrated enhanced awareness and mindfulness as a core theme resulting from interacting with their dogs. But contrary to expectations, cat owners were found to be less mindful than non-owners.”