Factors associated with behavioral changes in pet dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Abstract

The dogs' quality of life is highly influenced by the characteristics of their physical and social environment and by the behavior and lifestyle of their owners. In this context, the social distancing demanded by the COVID-19 pandemic had the potential to affect the behavior and the welfare of pet dogs—due to the increased coexistence of dogs with human families during this period. This study investigated socio-demographic and behavioral factors possibly related to behavioral changes in pet dogs in Brazil, during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online questionnaire was made available, containing questions about socio-demographic and behavioral aspects of the respondent and their dog, the routine of the residence, and possible changes in the routines of owner and dog, imposed by the pandemic. A total of 649 questionnaires were answered in full, the responses of which were analyzed through binary logistic regression, with a possible undesirable change in dog behavior as the response variable. The results indicated a 58.06% average prevalence of behavioral problems. The factors detected as influential in the prevalence of behavioral problems in dogs were, in addition to available space and intrinsic characteristics of the dogs (size and age), the owner’s perception of the negative effects of the pandemic on his/her health and emotional state, on their dog’s quality of life, and on the dog-owner relationship. Our findings draw attention to the importance of the quality of the relationship between dog and owner for the welfare of dogs and contribute to the understanding of dog behavioral problems.