Four in five people raised or will raise their children with a pet

When asked, nearly four in five people raised or will raise their children with a pet.

Parents who grew up with a pet are ‘significantly more likely’ to say they want their child to grow up with a pet too (86%), than those who did not grow up with a pet (57%).

Dr Huw Stacey, vet and director of clinical services at Vets4Pets, the group that carried out the research, said: “It’s always great to see people wanting to add a pet into their family, as they can have such a positive impact on children.

“It’s very understandable that those who have grown up with a pet and experienced all the benefits that they bring – companionship, exercise, fun and unconditional love – would want their own child to have the same experiences.

“Pets can be such an integral part of a family and add a lot of personality and love into home life, which can be ideal for young children.”

Over half (53%) of parents also said they got a puppy or kitten around the time their first child was born, with parents in London (88%) and the North East (72%) most likely to do so. A quarter said it is because they wanted their child to grow up with a pet.

The survey also revealed that dogs and cats were by far the most popular pets for families to get at 38 per cent and 35 per cent respectively, and most parents got their pet from an animal shelter (37%).

One in five people said they got their pet to practice care giving and responsibility before parenthood, while only a small percentage of parents (6%) decided to rehome their pet when they had a child.

“Pets of all shapes and sizes are a huge responsibility, even those which may be considered by many as easy pets for children, such as rabbits and guinea pigs,” Dr Stacey said.

“It’s important to do all the necessary preparation and research into all elements of pet ownership before getting any pet, as they should never be bought on a whim.

“That not only means looking into the space, time and money you have available, but what your plans are for family life in the future.

“If you are thinking of having a child soon and know you won’t be able to look after a pet as well, then getting a pet might not be the right thing to do.”

The study also revealed that 41 per cent of men said they got a puppy or kitten when their first child was born, as they knew they would have the time to care for it, compared to 23 per cent of women.

“The right pet can be a great addition to any family as they can bring so much life and love, so if young families are considering getting a pet, they can always speak to their local vet for advice on which pet is right for them,” Dr Stacey added.