Before, during and after the pandemic: Effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on the welfare, behavior and body condition of domestic cats (Felis catus)

Abstract

Domestic cats (Felis catus) living indoors need a series of resources that allow them to express their natural behaviors in a similar way to how they would in the wild environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused changes in the routine of many people and their pets, which can affect the environment and well-being of domestic cats and generate changes in their behavior and Body Condition Score (BCS). Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of the lockdown and social interaction between cats and their owners on the environment, behavior, BCS and welfare of domestic cats and compare these variables in three periods related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil (pre-pandemic - confinement - post-confinement). To this end, a questionnaire was developed for cat caregivers and information was collected from 1064 cats, following the pandemic, of which 873 met the selection criteria and were included in the analyses. Three scores were used to assess the cats' environment, behavior and body condition (the Environment Score, Behavior Score and Body Condition Score [BCS]), the first two of which were developed during this study. As expected, the cats' environment varied between the three periods, indicating an improvement in the Environmental Score over time. We also found variations in the Behavioral Score, which was higher in the period before the pandemic when compared to the following two periods, indicating an increase in the frequency of some behavioral problems, such as restlessness. We observed a reduction in overweighted cats (BCS 4 or 5) associated to free access to the outdoors and more physical activities. During confinement, cats spent more time with their owners, which was the main change in routine observed in our study. However, cats that spent more time alone had lower Environmental Score. We also observed an increase in the cats’ BCS (number of overweight cats) during and after confinement, as well as an increase in attention-seeking behavior. In summary, we found variations in the environment, routine and some behaviors exhibited by cats, as well as in their BCS, when comparing the three periods. Our study adds new insights into how changes in routine and the increased presence of caregivers can affect the environment, behavior and body condition of cats, and shows how a population of cats responded to these changes arising from the three periods related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.