Feline Ownership and Well-Being During COVID-19 Mandated Lockdowns

Extant literature on how pet ownership impacted individuals’ well-being during the global COVID-19 pandemic is inconsistent and broad in scope, with some studies reporting a positive impact and others reporting a null or negative impact. This paper presents the results of a case study (n = 1) that sought to explore the lived experience of cat owners and how cat ownership affected their sense of well-being during periods of COVID-19 mandated self-isolation. The current study employed a semi-structured interview conducted with a single participant. The interview transcript was then analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, with some data approached through the lens of attachment theory. Findings revealed that the impact on the participant’s well-being was mostly positive and the result of assuming the role of attachment figure. Positive benefits of cat ownership and benefits for the participants’ cats were also explored. Results of this study can further our understanding of how cats can help individuals cope with prolonged periods of social isolation.