The COVID-19 epidemic and government intervention measures may have adverse effects on people's mental health. To explore the influence of pets on the intervention of people's psychological problems during the COVID-19 epidemic, an online survey was carried out between April 9 and April 29, 2020. A total of 756 participants replied to this questionnaire. Mental health variables were assessed, and the comparison of behavior changes among pet owners and pets on positive mental well-being during COVID-19 epidemic. Comparative analysis was performed; compared with individuals without pets (n = 575), pet owners (n = 181) had a higher prevalence of insomnia (p = 0.006). Living in Wuhan city was a risk factor for people with psychological stress (p < 0.05). Dog owners exhibited lower than average scores of insomnia and uncertainty of infection than cat owners (p = 0.004). People with more than one pet exhibited lower than average scores of depression than having one pet (p = 0.040). For analysis of psychological effects of pets on people, the role of pets in subjective feeling and positive psychological changes of pet owner was significantly different. Pet owners relieve that psychological pressure through behavioral changes towards their pets in early stage. Pets provided positive subjective well-being and psychological effects for their owners.

中文翻译：

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改善养宠物的主观幸福感可能在 COVID-19 流行期间产生积极的心理影响

COVID-19 疫情和政府干预措施可能对人们的心理健康产生不利影响。为探讨宠物在COVID-19疫情期间对人们心理问题干预的影响，于2020年4月9日至4月29日开展了一项在线调查。共有756名参与者回复了这份问卷。评估了心理健康变量，并比较了宠物主人和宠物在 COVID-19 流行期间对积极心理健康的行为变化。进行了比较分析；与没有养宠物的人 ( n  = 575) 相比，养宠物的人 ( n  = 181) 失眠的患病率更高 ( p  = 0.006)。居住在武汉市是心理压力人群的危险因素（p < 0.05）。与养猫的人相比，养狗的人在失眠和感染不确定性方面的得分低于平均水平 ( p  = 0.004)。拥有一只以上宠物的人比拥有一只宠物的人表现出的抑郁得分低于平均水平 ( p  = 0.040)。对于宠物对人的心理影响分析，宠物对宠物主人的主观感受和积极心理变化的作用存在显着差异。宠物主人通过早期对宠物的行为改变来缓解这种心理压力。宠物为其主人提供了积极的主观幸福感和心理影响。