Until now, research into emotional relationships and the impact of animals on the human psyche has mainly concerned adults. However, the moment has come to better understand this type of relationship in children. Researchers from the Department of Psychiastria at the University of Cambridge decided to take a closer look at the phenomenon by examining 77 children aged 12 who have at least one pet and a sibling.

To examine the quality of the relationships, they used the NRI test, a survey examining 30 different positive and negative aspects of each relationship, concerning possible conflicts, emotional support for each other, keeping each other company. They found that children have significantly better relationships with their own pets than with their siblings, and these relationships are a source of significantly greater satisfaction. Even if the animals cannot fully understand or verbally respond to various issues, the level of closeness between children and animals compared to that between children and their siblings remained similar. Moreover, the fact that the animals cannot pass on confidential information or respond makes them free from any judgement.

Another aspect of the study showed that it was the girls who had a stronger tendency to form close relationships with their pets than the boys. While the level of satisfaction with this type of relationship remained the same for both sexes, girls had both more affection and conflict in these relationships, showing that their approach to their beloved pets is characterised by much more nuance.

In the overall comparison, it was also found that, of all types of pets, children who owned dogs showed the most satisfaction with their relationships with each other.

This study, of course, represents some kind of prelude to further exploration and an attempt to understand reciprocal relationships.