It’s no secret that children feel a lot of big emotions. Most children will rather quickly learn how to express those emotions in a socially acceptable way. My child was not one of those children.
My child—like so many neurodivergent children—was prone to huge emotional outbursts. Below the surface of these outbursts was a deep-seated anxiety too intense for them to understand or explain. At the surface, though… whining, crying, screaming, kicking, hitting, you name it.
As a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, sure, I had an expansive toolbox to pull from. But nothing worked quite as well as Riley.
Riley is a big, cuddly, friendly, energetic yellow Labrador retriever and one of the most effective emotional support tools in our household. Companion animals can have a powerful impact on child development and mental health. Their influence on a neurodivergent brain can be transformative.
The Benefits of Companion Pets for Child Development
Any pet owner—neurodivergent or not—will tell you how important their pet is to their mental and emotional health. But don’t take it from them! There are dozens of scientific studies supporting the emotional health benefits of pet ownership, and—more specifically—childhood pet ownership.
The National Institute of Health reports a wide range of emotional health benefits associated with childhood pet ownership: decreased likelihood of developing anxiety, higher levels of self-esteem, greater protection against loneliness, and improved behavioral and cognitive outcomes.
Other proven benefits of pet ownership on child development include:
Reduced stress and anxiety: the repetitive and pleasant act of petting a dog or cat—or even just being in their presence—is proven to decreased blood pressure, leading to reduced anxiety. By addressing the very basic human need for physical touch, petting a dog or cat can also reduce violent tendencies, build trust, boost our immune system, and even reduce stress.
Many dogs (ours included) can sense anxiety or sadness, and will help calm children down when they are feeling big emotions.
Routine and structure: All pets—furry and four-legged, scaly and slithery—require daily care, which goes a long way in teaching children responsibility, and providing them with a much-needed sense of structure and organization. Structure and organization helps create a sense of stability, and allows children to feel like they have a greater sense of control over their lives. It can also better equip them to handle uncertainty or unpredictability in the future.
Positive social skill development: Not only does the relationship between a child and their pet instill a sense of compassion and care for all living creatures, but it can also help children connect with others. Pets—especially dogs—naturally invite conversation, whether a friendly stranger wants to meet your pet while you’re out for a walk, or your children want to meet theirs!
My child has come so far in terms of social skills since we adopted our dog. At first, they were actually really afraid of the dog. Now, they not only love our dog, but they love all dogs. I have to remind them not to just run up and hug strange dogs on the street without asking their owners for permission first. What a remarkable difference from the beginning when they were afraid to approach any dog and their owner!
Prevents and reduces depression: Pet ownership can prevent children from feeling loneliness, which is a precursor to depression and social isolation. When children realize how much their pet depends on them, they feel like they have a purpose—and it’s a lot easier to get out of bed in the morning knowing that a loving pet is there waiting for you to care for it.
Finding the Right Companion Pet for Your Child
When my family started looking for a pet, we went down to the Humane Society—they had the cutest rabbits I’ve ever seen. I was in love…but I also knew there was no way we could get a rabbit. It wouldn’t survive the week!
We needed an active pet that could run and play, and that would enjoy hanging out with our rough-and-tumble kids. We also needed a pet that could be cuddly and snuggly, that we could count on for emotional regulation, and that would be sensitive to anxiety and other big emotions.
For us, a dog was the perfect fit.
We had to invest a good amount of time into finding the perfect dog for our family. My advice is to identify a few breeds that align with your family’s capacity to provide care: how much do they need to be walked, how often do they need grooming, do you need a hypoallergenic breed, etc. Then, visit your local shelters, attend meet-and-greet events, and keep your eyes open for service dogs who need a career change! Often times, a service dog begins training, but their career doesn’t work out—those dogs are often great candidates to become companion pets!
Of course, a dog isn’t the right fit for every family. Here some other top pets for children with neurodivergent brains or developmental delays:
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- Cats. Cats are a popular choice, since they can be quite playful, and enjoy being pet. They bond well with their owners. Keep in mind that each cat will have its own unique personality—some are more tolerant of children than others. Cat food also often contains peanuts, which can pose a health hazard for children with allergies.
- Fish. Fish require very little maintenance, which makes them a great starter pet. Watching fish swim around can be very calming—there’s a reason why many pediatricians keep fish tanks in their waiting rooms! The downside? Fish have a short lifespan, which may be distressing to your child.
- Gecko. Geckos are a popular pet reptile. They are calm, stay small, enjoy being held, and don’t bite!
- Guinea Pigs. These social animals are especially great pets for children with autism—they help children stay calm, and feel less anxious. They love being held…but buyer beware, they require a lot of maintenance, as their cages need to be cleaned daily, and they can get depressed without companionship, so you may need to adopt two of these furry critters.
- Rabbits. Rabbits are cute and furry, and enjoy being pet. Like with guinea pigs, you may need to adopt two rabbits to prevent them from becoming depressed. Rabbits will also chew on anything they can get their teeth on, so keep a close eye on them when they’re out of their cage.
- Parakeets. Parakeets are beautiful birds—they are smart, and can even be trained to do some pretty cool tricks! This is not the best pet for children with sensory sensitives, however. As you can probably imagine, they are not the quietest pet!
- Turtles. Turtles are quiet, inexpensive, and non-allergenic. They leave much to be desired in the snuggle department, though, and cleaning their tanks can be a smelly affair not well-suited for children with hyperosmia.
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Welcoming a companion pet into your household can be a game changer for your neurodivergent child. They may become more responsible and social, feel safer in the world, be better able to regulate their emotions, and even experience increased self-esteem. I can’t imagine our household without Riley!
Pets aren’t the best solution for every family, so if you are struggling with ways to support your neurodivergent child’s development, don’t hesitate to contact Orchid Pediatrics. Reach us using the brief form below, or call (503) 208-4007 to speak with a member of our team.
*** Disclaimer
This blog is for entertainment, informational, and general educational purposes only and should not be considered to be healthcare advice or medical diagnosis, treatment or prescribing. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical care. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
