The positive effect that pets leave on children make them the best companions in the world.
A study published by the University of Cambridge revealed that home pets greatly influence children’s development and have a very positive effect on children’s social skills and emotional well-being.
Everyone who has loved a pet during childhood knows that they provide companionship and trust, just like human relationships? admits Matt Cassels, head of the study.
The research highlighted interest in how strong relationships with pets are compared to other close family ties. 12-year-old children from 77 families with at least one pet of any species were surveyed. The little ones claimed to have strong relationships with their pets compared to those with their siblings.
The results were that children who have a dog show relationships with lower levels of conflict and greater satisfaction than owners of any other animal.
Despite the fact that pets do not reach a complete level of comprehension or cannot respond verbally, the degree of confidence that is achieved with them is not less than or comparable to that developed with siblings. In fact, the fact that pets cannot understand or respond verbally has its positive side , since children do not feel judged by them.
Girls, in particular, reported feeling more confidence, company, and less conflict with their pets than boys, so the interaction with their pets is deeper.