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Questions such as “Will getting a pet benefit our child’s mental health?” are increasingly common. In countries like Spain, where more than half of households own pets, this concern carries growing relevance.
Attachment refers to the emotional bond between a child and a caregiver who provides safety and comfort. Importantly, children can also form meaningful bonds with animals. Research shows that pets can strengthen emotional regulation, encourage responsibility and empathy, promote prosocial behaviour, and enhance understanding of nonverbal communication. Moreover, pets can serve as comfort figures when primary caregivers are absent.
Insights from the INMA Project
To explore how pets influence mental health, researchers analysed data from the INMA (Infancia y Medio Ambiente) Project, a long-term Spanish cohort study that followed children from pregnancy to age six or seven. The study included nearly 1,900 households across Asturias, Gipuzkoa, Sabadell, and Valencia. Over half had owned pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and small animals such as hamsters or fish.
Initially, children who had never owned pets showed slightly more positive mental health scores. However, after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, and social class, researchers found no significant differences between children who had pets and those who did not. Notably, having a cat at ages four to five was associated with more mental health concerns, whereas consistent exposure to small animals like hamsters, rabbits, turtles, or fish appeared protective.
Understanding the Differences
As reported by medicalxpress, cats tend to interact more independently, which may limit bonding. Additionally, toxoplasmosis—more common in cats—has been linked to behavioural and psychiatric disorders. In contrast, small pets require steady, manageable care, helping children develop empathy and self-control.
Continuous Bonds Matter
Overall, the study suggests that consistent, stable relationships with pets may offer more benefits than intermittent exposure. While pets can support emotional growth, their impact depends on the child’s age, the type of animal, and the quality of the bond.