Cambridge study reveals the true value of pets
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A new study from the University of Cambridge has found that children value the companionship of their pet even more than their siblings.
They say the research supports evidence that pets may have a major influence on child development.
Matt Cassels, the study's lead researcher, said: "Anyone who has loved a childhood pet knows that we turn to them for companionship and disclosure, just like relationships between people."
"We wanted to know how strong these relationships are with pets relative to other close family ties. Ultimately this may enable us to understand how animals contribute to healthy child development."
The research, conducted in collaboration with the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, part of Mars Petcare and the Economic and Social Research Council, is part of a larger project, led by Prof Claire Hughes at the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research.
Researchers surveyed 12-year-olds from 77 families with pets and were told by the children that many felt strong relationships with their pets compared to a brother or sister.
Dogs were revealed to be a child's best friend, with lower levels of conflict and greater satisfactions reported by canine owners.
Mr Cassels added: "Even though pets may not fully understand or respond verbally, the level of disclosure to pets was no less than to siblings.
"The fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit as it means they are completely non-judgmental.
"While previous research has often found that boys report stronger relationships with their pets than girls do, we actually found the opposite.
“While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more disclosure, companionship, and conflict with their pet than did boys, perhaps indicating that girls may interact with their pets in more nuanced ways."
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