Dog Owners Bounced Back Faster After Pandemic Lockdowns

If you needed another reason to love dogs, here's a scientific one: they might help you bounce back from life's curveballs faster than you'd expect.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba tracked 414 Japanese office workers (including 124 dog owners) through the entire COVID-19 pandemic to see how their exercise habits changed. What they found surprised them.

Dog owners experienced a noticeable dip in physical activity when lockdowns hit. But here's the bright part: they bounced right back to their pre-pandemic fitness levels once restrictions lifted. Non-dog owners, meanwhile, showed no significant changes at any point.

The difference came down to something called exercise self-efficacy, which is basically your confidence that you can and will work out. Before the pandemic, owning a dog boosted that confidence, which led to more physical activity overall.

During lockdowns, something interesting happened. Dog ownership stopped directly influencing exercise confidence, but dog owners maintained their walking routines anyway. Their furry friends kept them moving even when gyms closed and motivation tanked.

The researchers found that dog-walking time stayed remarkably stable across all three periods they studied. Those daily walks with their pets created a foundation of physical activity that survived even the toughest restrictions.

The Bright Side

This research offers hope for public health programs, especially during crises. It shows that having a non-negotiable reason to move (like a dog who needs walking) can protect people from the physical inactivity that often follows social disruptions.

The findings matter beyond pandemics too. They suggest that building routines around something you're committed to (whether that's a pet, a walking buddy, or a personal goal) creates resilience when life gets difficult.

For the millions who adopted pets during lockdowns, this study validates what they already felt: their new companions weren't just emotional support, they were literal lifelines to staying active and healthy.

The research appears in the journal Discover Public Health, giving scientists new clues about how to help people maintain healthy habits during environmental or social challenges.

Sometimes the best medicine really does have four legs and a wagging tail.