Association between pet ownership and physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 “circuit breaker” in Singapore

•Pet owners engaged in more mild-intensity physical activity than non-pet owners.•Pet owners scored better on emotional well-being, energy and social functioning than non-pet owners.•Among pet owners, pet attachment correlates with greater physical activity levels and better mental health scores.•Pet ownership and attachment play important roles in enhancing physical and mental health during a lockdown period.