A recent study led by Judit Mokos from the MTA-ELTE Lendület 'Momentum' Companion Animal Research Group examined the psychological effects of pet acquisition and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. The longitudinal study involved 2,783 adults and revealed that acquiring a dog initially increased cheerfulness, but this was followed by declines in overall well-being, particularly in activity levels and WHO-5 scores. Participants who acquired cats also experienced reduced activity, whereas those with pets from other species showed increased activity. The study highlights varying psychological outcomes in pet ownership due to contextual factors.

Source: Scientific Reports