(Self-)caring with companion animals: a qualitative exploration of how companion animals shape everyday practices of rest and relaxation

PURPOSE: This paper aims to extend and enrich the concept of self-care, through demonstrating how self-care can manifest as both a relational and multispecies endeavour. METHOD: We qualitatively examined how people understand their relationships with companion animal(s) as shaping their practices of rest and relaxation. This paper is based on a reflexive thematic analysis of 31in-depth interviews with cat and dog owners across several countries. RESULTS: Our analysis illustrates how practices of caring for companion animals and the obligations that drive them can also work to promote self-care. We draw out the ways in which obligations to care for companion animals can provide a sense of permission for and prioritisation of moments and activities that are experienced as mutually 'care-full'. The paper reveals the role of companion animals in daily navigation and negotiation of temporal and normative barriers around rest and relaxation. CONCLUSIONS: This paper emphasises the important role that non-human animals can play in everyday practices and experiences of rest and relaxation.