Children get more satisfaction from the relationship with their pets than they do with their siblings, according to a recently published study. Children also get along better with their animal companions than with siblings. The research adds to mounting evidence that pets have a profound impact on children's development, and can positively impact children's social skills and emotional well-being.
Pets are almost as common as siblings in western households, but relatively few studies have been done on the importance of child-pet relationships. Researchers surveyed 12-year-old children from 77 families with one or more pets of each type and more than one child at home. While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more disclosure, companionship, and conflict with their pets than boys did, perhaps indicating that girls can interact more with their pets in more nuanced ways.
