From New York Post · · 1m 30s
The pet that may backfire for kids
A Spanish study of 2,000 families found one common pet linked to more emotional and behaviour problems by age eight.
In brief
A Spanish study of 2,000 families found one common pet linked to more emotional and behaviour problems by age eight. Cats at preschool age tracked with worse mental health at 7-8, but the study shows a link, not a cause, and other research says the opposite. Originally reported by New York Post.
Pets are good for kids
Growing up with animals has been tied to stronger immune systems, fewer ear infections and fevers, less eczema and fewer food allergies.
One exception showed up
A new study found that having a cat in the house at age 4-5 was linked to more mental health problems by age 7-8. Owning one at age 1 showed no such link.
How they measured it
Researchers followed almost 2,000 mother-child pairs in Spain. Mothers reported on fear, worry and nervousness, plus disobedience, hyperactivity and trouble with friends.
Both kinds of trouble rose
Cat ownership tracked with internalizing problems, the emotional and peer kind linked to anxiety and depression, and externalizing ones like conduct issues and inattention.
Rabbits and fish won
Kids with less common pets, rabbits, hamsters, fish, turtles and salamanders, had fewer emotional problems at 7-8. Dogs and birds moved the needle neither way.
Correlation, not blame
Cats may be less affectionate, and families with struggling kids often pick them for the low upkeep. The problems could have come first, and a 2021 study found cats helped autistic children.
“less affectionate, exhibit avoidant attachment”
The bottom line
Cats at preschool age tracked with worse mental health at 7-8, but the study shows a link, not a cause, and other research says the opposite.
