Three Things to Know
To assess the impact of cat and dog ownership on early childhood development, researchers analyzed data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a nationwide survey that collects comprehensive information on maternal factors and child development.
The study found that children growing up with dogs exhibited significantly better overall developmental outcomes at 12 months of age. Dog ownership was also associated with significantly lower odds of developmental delays, including communication, motor skills, and social-emotional development.
While infants with cats showed slightly improved performance in the personal-social domain, the magnitude of these benefits was less pronounced compared to those observed in children with dogs.
For Dog Welfare Practitioners:
The conversation about whether dogs and young children should cohabit often centers solely on the risk of dog bites and increased likelihood of owner relinquishment. However, this study presents a compelling alternative perspective, highlighting the potential developmental benefits that dogs can offer children.
Many parents acquire dogs with the primary intention of providing companionship for their children, a trend that significantly increased during the pandemic. For dog welfare professionals, it’s crucial to maintain a balanced and realistic viewpoint when interacting with families. This includes both those considering surrendering their dogs due to the arrival of a child and those seeking to acquire a dog as a companion for their children.
The risk of dog bites is undeniable and demands serious attention. Yet, our focus should shift towards delivering impactful education towards families and children, specifically on how to safely and effectively manage interactions between their children and their dogs. Dog welfare advocates play a vital role in disseminating this crucial knowledge and fostering responsible pet ownership within families.
The Full Picture
Childhood experiences profoundly shape an individual’s health, emotional well-being, learning, and behavior across their lifespan. While a significant body of research has centered on human relationships and their impact on child development, growing evidence suggests that interactions with animals, particularly pet ownership, may offer substantial health benefits. Pets can serve as sources of emotional support, effectively reduce stress levels, and encourage an active lifestyle. Companion animals, especially cats and dogs, are believed to play a positive role in child development, fostering crucial social-emotional skills such as attachment, compassion, empathy, and prosocial behavior.
The present study, titled “Cat and Dog Ownership in Early Life and Infant Development: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Japan Environment and Children’s Study,” sought to investigate the relationship between early pet ownership and child development within the framework of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). Specifically, this research examined how the presence of a cat or dog in the household at six months of age influenced a child’s developmental outcomes at the age of 12 months.
Study Methods
The Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) is a large, ongoing nationwide study tracking the development of children born in Japan. It involved 15 regional centers and recruited pregnant women between 2011 and 2014. This analysis focused on data from 78,868 participants with information on pet ownership at six months and developmental data from the Ages & Stages Questionnaires™ (ASQ-3) at 12 months.
The JECS collected data on maternal factors like smoking, drinking, education, income, and mental health, along with details about the pregnancy and infant (sex, breastfeeding). Pet ownership information was gathered when the child was six months old.
In addition, child development was assessed using the ASQ-3 at 12 months. The ASQ-3 is a screening tool used by parents to evaluate their child’s development in five key areas: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem-solving abilities, and social-emotional skills. For each area, parents rate their child on six items. The scores help identify children who may be at risk for developmental delays based on established cutoff values.
Study Results
The study compared characteristics of families with cats, dogs, or no pets at six months. Among the 78,868 participants, 8.1% owned cats and 15.1% owned dogs. Compared to families without pets, those with pets exhibited certain trends: higher rates of maternal smoking in the second trimester, lower parental education levels, lower household income, and shorter breastfeeding duration. Notably, maternal mental health issues were more prevalent among families with cats, but not dogs.
Dog Ownership and Infant Development
Analyzing ASQ-3 scores at 12 months, the study found that infants with cats showed slightly better performance in the personal-social domain. However, dog ownership was significantly associated with better scores across all five domains: communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social skills.
Regarding developmental delays, the study found no significant association between cat ownership and delays in any domain. In contrast, dog ownership was linked to significantly lower odds of delays in all five domains. This suggests a potential protective effect of dog ownership on infant development. Further analysis of households with cats only, dogs only, or both pets revealed similar trends.
The unique benefits of dog ownership likely stem from their inherent characteristics, such as their responsiveness to human emotions, their ability to foster attachment and social skills, and their potential to encourage physical activity. These factors may contribute to improved communication, motor skills, and cognitive development in children.
Conclusion
This study is the first large-scale study to examine early pet ownership’s impact on child development using prospective birth cohort data. However, limitations include reliance on parental reports for developmental assessments and the absence of measures for child-pet attachment. Furthermore, the study did not account for potential influences of the home environment on the outcomes. Despite these limitations, the study provides valuable insights into the potential developmental benefits of dog ownership in early childhood.
Miscellaneous
Data From Study:
Owned Dogs > What Dogs Bring > Infants & Children
Year of Publication:
2020
External Link:
Minatoya M, Araki A, Miyashita C, Itoh S, Kobayashi S, Yamazaki K, Ait Bamai Y, Saijyo Y, Ito Y, Kishi R, et al. Cat and Dog Ownership in Early Life and Infant Development: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study of Japan Environment and Children’s Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(1):205. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010205