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During the COVID-19 pandemic when many were stuck at home, people adopted more pets than average, but then struggled to find adequate veterinary care. Kayla Pasteur of Purdue University, U.S., and colleagues reported these findings and other pandemic pet trends, which were published in a study in the open-access journal .

In the U.S., about 58 million U.S. households keep one or more dogs and 40 million keep at least one cat. These animals often provide a source of enjoyment, stress relief and social support in the home, so it's no surprise that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in pet purchases and adoptions.

In the new study, researchers investigated trends in pet ownership during the pandemic to understand which groups were acquiring pets and how the pandemic impacted their ability to access veterinary care. The team analyzed answers to an online survey of 751 U.S. residents – of which 79% were pet owners – conducted in late 2021.

They found that people who had children and were working from home were more likely to get a pet during the pandemic. However, these owners faced greater challenges in accessing veterinary care and 20% of all pet owners reported difficulty accessing even basic veterinary services, such as vaccinations or annual exams. Owners who had pets with behavioral issues had an especially difficult time getting care.

While the findings highlight the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the researchers emphasize that these trends can be expanded to other situations and may provide key insights into the behaviors and decision-making processes of pet owners. They conclude that this information may help in developing education and support for owners.

This support could improve the welfare of the animals people keep, particularly during times of crisis, and reduce the number of relinquished pets.

The authors add, "The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical gaps in veterinary care access. Many pet owners who brought animals into their homes during the pandemic were unprepared for the behavioral challenges that followed, and our study shows that limited access to care only amplified stressors for these pet families."