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To pet, or not to pet? - The decision to welcome a pet into your home is a big one, no matter the size of your family or the species of the animal. 

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Work, work, work -

Taking care of an animal is a big responsibility, and many parents with young children feel that they do not have the time or energy to do so.

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Taking the plunge -

There are many parents, however, who embrace the challenge: according to one 2018 study in the US, 63% of households with a baby under one year old had a pet.

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The upside -

If you ask those parents, they will likely tell you that their pet plays an important role in teaching lessons of caregiving, responsibility, and empathy to their kids.

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Huge benefits -

Some parents even go so far as to say that having a pet can influence their child’s social skills, physical health, and even cognitive development.

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Probing deeper -

So, is it true? Can having a pet in the household really boost your child’s brain? Let’s take a look at some of the research to find out.

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Hard evidence -

In one study of 4,000 children, conducted at the University of Western Australia, pet ownership was associated with fewer peer problems and more prosocial behavior.

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Hard evidence, continued -

In another study, children aged two to five with a family dog were found to be more active, spend less time on screens, and sleep more on average than those without a dog.

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Coming together -

A study published in 2021 married those two studies, finding that children who regularly engage in dog-related physical activity have better developmental outcomes.

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Conclusions -

According to Hayley Christian, associate professor at the University of Western Australia, there is a clear conclusion to be drawn.

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Verbatim -

"We can actually say that children having pets and interacting with them over time in early childhood does seem to cause these added benefits in terms of their social-emotional development.”

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Caveat -

That does not mean to say that every family should go out and get a dog today, or that every child with a dog necessarily has it better than those without.

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Under pressure -

The financial burden of keeping a pet, particularly one with behavioral problems or complex medical needs, can really put a strain on already busy parents.

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Teens -

Furthermore, there is evidence to suggest that having a pet makes no difference when it comes to the emotional well-being of teenagers (as opposed to younger kids).

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Teens in the pandemic -

According to a recent study, owning a dog during the Covid-19 pandemic made no difference to the mental health of teenagers in the US.

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Theorizing -

To quote the study’s author, Megan Mueller, "My hypothesis is that Covid was a huge stressor and there probably isn't one thing that's enough to overcome it.”

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Relationship quality -

The extent to which having a pet positively impacts a child also depends on the quality of the relationship between the two.

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More than cohabitation -

It is not just because a child and an animal live under the same roof that they will necessarily have a strong bond and positive relationship.

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Quality time -

Children need to spend time with their pets, in order for their relationship with the animal to influence their development.

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Example -

For example, children are unlikely to form a strong bond with a hamster in their sibling’s room. However, with a dog that they walk every day, the situation is different.

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The influence of age -

A child’s age may also influence the strength of the relationship with their pet. Research suggests that children aged between six and 10 develop stronger bonds with animals most like humans.

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Young children -

That is to say, they are likely to have closer relationships with cats and dogs than with more biologically far-removed species, such as birds and fish.

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Older children -

Older children aged between 11 and 14, however, report being just as emotionally attached to more remote species of animals, such as mice, as they are to cats and dogs.

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It's a family thing -

The extent of a pet’s impact on a child’s development may also depend on the family dynamic. For example, the Australian study found that children without siblings benefit more.

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Surrogate sibling -

This may well be because, in some ways, a pet can act as a sort of surrogate sibling for the child. Parents may give more independence to children accompanied by a pet.

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Strengthening bonds -

It may even be the case that pets can facilitate stronger interactions within households: research shows that pets can help strengthen the relationship between foster parents and kids.

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General understanding of animals -

It also seems to be the case that having a pet that they know and love helps children to gain a deeper understanding of animals in general.

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General understanding of animals -

To quote John Bradshaw, a researcher at the University of Bristol, "They [children] tend to learn from their pet, somehow, how to be more understanding, empathetic and responsive to animals in general.”

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Getting back to nature -

Finally, experts believe that having an animal running around the house can provide kids with that all-important connection to nature.

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All in all -

In conclusion, then, it seems that there are definitive advantages to having pets in the house, although it is of course a responsibility that is not to be taken lightly.

Sources: (BBC)

See also: The beautiful bond between pets and their owners

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