The Impact of Pet Ownership on Healthcare-Seeking Behavior in Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

Figures & data

Table 1. Participant age (mean, SD), gender, race/ethnicity, housing status.

Characteristic
Age (mean, SD)	37 years (14.10)
Gender (n = 44)	Male 41% (n = 18)
	Female 41% (n = 18)
	Non-binary/Self-describe 16% (n = 7)
	Refused 2% (n = 1)
Housing status	On street 25% (n = 11)
	City-sanctioned encampment 20% (n = 9)
	Shelter 11% (n = 5)
	Recently housed 11% (n = 5)
	RV 7% (n = 3)
	Government-funded housing 5% (n = 2)
	Transitional housing 5% (n = 2)
	Couch surfing 2% (n = 1)
	Other 5% (n = 2)
	2-or-more 9% (n = 4)
Animal ownership	Dog only 70% (n = 31)
	Cat only 25% (n = 13)
	Mix dog and cat: 5% (n = 2)
Ethnicity/race	White Non-Hispanic 64% (n = 28)
	American Indian or Alaska Native 9% (n = 4)
	Black Non-Hispanic 5% (n = 2)
	Refused 2% (n = 2)
	2 + race/ethnicities^a 18% (n = 8)

^a Includes White Non-Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, White, Black-Hispanic, Asian.

Table 2. Human health conditions.

Health system	Percent of participants (n)
Eye problems	24% (10/42)
Cardiovascular problems
Heart disease, high blood pressure	28% (11/39)
Respiratory problems
Coughing, breathing problems	50% (20/40)
Gastrointestinal problems
Upset stomach, diarrhea	29% (12/41)
Genital, urinary, reproductive health issues	17% (7/41)
Musculoskeletal problems
Muscle weakness, arthritis	51% (21/41)
Skin problems
Rashes, irritation, itching, ulcers, infection, abscesses	20% (8/41)
Neurological problems
Headaches, seizures	44% (18/41)
Psychiatric problems
Depression, anxiety, PTSD	71% (29/41)
Allergies or immune problems	50% (19/38)

Figure 1. Percent self-reported health scores for humans and pets.

Figure 2. Percent of humans and pets and time since last doctor or veterinarian visit. Responses to time since last doctor visit (n = 42) and responses to time since last veterinary visit (n = 29).