Article created by: Viktorija Gabulaitė

In 2017, Cambridge researchers looked at the interactions of 12-year-olds and their pets in 77 British households. The children were asked about the quality of relationships with their family members, including pets. That quality was calculated across four different dimensions: satisfaction with the relationship, feelings of companionship, communication, and conflict.

Of those parameters, the kids reported not only less conflict with pets than their siblings, but also more satisfaction. That's a polite, academic way of saying they felt a stronger bond with their pet than with their brother or sister. Moreover, researchers noted that in the hierarchy of pets, kids were most bonded with dogs.

So consider this original Bored Panda list as the following argument: if you believe that your kids don't need a dog, you must be a cat. While we're at it, check out a compilation of photos we put together in the past to support this claim too.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Two Street Children, With Barely Enough Money To Afford Slippers, Bandage An Injured Puppy

Two kids carefully wrapping a dog with bandages, showing love and care for their pet dog.

Imamofpeace Report

Final score:
2points
POST
RELATED:
    #2

    My Daughter Has A Huge Heart For Dogs And Begged For Months To Get Another Rescue. She Even Used All Her Money To Pitch In For The Fees. Here She Is With Our Third Rescue Pupper, Daisy

    Girl hugging a brindle dog closely inside a car, showing the bond between kids and dogs for pet companionship.

    ExLaxMarksTheSpot Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #3

    A Sleeping Baby, Dog, And Cat. I Think I Win The Internet High Score

    Baby sleeping peacefully cuddled between a large dog and a black cat, showing kids need a dog for companionship.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #4

    And I Never Thought That 17 Years Later, My Best Friend Would Live To Meet My First Child

    Toddler in striped shirt standing by door next to black dog wearing an orange collar, both looking outside eagerly.

    Physical_Boss3285 Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #5

    Just A Boy And His New Dog

    Toddler and dog sitting together in a box on wooden floor, demonstrating kids need a dog for companionship.

    Kevin_0019 Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #6

    My Best Friend Has Four Paws. CJ (5 Years Old) And Chance (3 Months Old)

    Child photographing puppy outdoors, showcasing kids and dog bonding in nature with vibrant greenery background.

    JS Jeab Saisuda Photography Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #7

    6 Years Of Friendship

    Baby wrapped in blanket lying next to a dog and a smiling girl hugging a large dog outdoors with green grass

    DanielHillSKW Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #8

    Had To Put My Dog Down A Few Months Ago. My Son Will Never Know How Much Griffin Loved Him

    Baby lying on carpet next to a large dog resting its head on the baby's belly, showcasing kids and dog bond.

    jon1045 Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #9

    Now This Is Just Perfect

    Young child cuddling and sleeping with puppies inside a laundry basket, showing the bond kids and dogs share.

    sanamre Report

    Final score:
    2points
    POST
    #10

    8 Months Ago, Our Son Got A Support Dog. Our Son Was Mostly Wheelchair Dependent. We Hoped His Dog Would Help Him Grow Stronger. I Think We Can Conclude That Together They Succeeded

    Child in a wheelchair and boy walking with a black dog outdoors, showing kids enjoying time with a dog in nature.

    YourNameWisely Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #11

    I Volunteer For A Dog Rescue, We Love Seeing Updates Of The Dogs In Their New Homes. This One Made Me Smile

    Child and dog dressed in matching dinosaur costumes playing together on a hardwood floor indoors.

    Meems138 Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #12

    We Told Lincoln To Watch Some Youtube Videos On How To Train His Puppy

    Young boy sitting on couch showing tablet to a puppy on wooden floor, capturing kids and dog moments indoors.

    So here he is, showing them to the dog.

    Daniel Ball Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #13

    So, Cassidy (My Daughter) Was Snuggling Elsa (Our Rescue Pup) Under Her Hoodie. I Walked Into The Room And Asked "Where's Elsa?" Well, Elsa Tried To Get To Me

    Child lying on couch with small dog peeking out from sleeve of hoodie, showcasing kids and dogs bonding.

    Paramedic351468 Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #14

    It’s My Dogs 4th Birthday, My Daughter Spent All Her Pocket Money Buying Her A Steak

    Child hugging a dog sitting at a table with a plate of steak, showing why kids need a dog after seeing these pics

    MortyVulpus Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #15

    Step 1: Try To Take Cute Pic Of Dog And Baby. Step 2: Dog Sneezes During Pic. Step 3: Accidentally Capture My Dogs Inner Demon, And My Son Thinks It's Funny

    White dog with blue eyes lying on carpet near smiling baby in a play gym, showing kids need a dog.

    FluffyBicepz Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #16

    My Son And His Puppy - They Can’t Get Enough Of Each Other

    Young child gently touching a small dog puppy indoors with warm sunlight casting shadows on the carpet.

    LameSaucey Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #17

    This Pretty Girl Came To Visit My Daughter

    Smiling golden retriever beside a child in a hospital bed, highlighting the joy dogs bring to kids during recovery.

    nanowelder86 Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #18

    They Bonded Before We Even Left The Parking Space

    Child wearing red shirt cradling a sleeping puppy wrapped in a blue blanket while sitting in a car seat with a seatbelt.

    ObligatoryCreativity Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #19

    I Just Finished This “Fort” For My Son So He Could Look At Trucks Out The Window. Now He Can Hang Out With His Best Friend

    Child and dog standing side by side looking out a window, illustrating the bond kids have with dogs.

    dcoughl02 Report

    Final score:
    1point
    POST
    #20

    My Son Has Autism And One Of His Unique Trait, Is His Need For Physical Contact At All Times. Barb Came Into Our Lives And Elected Herself To The Position Of Weighted Blanket & Bodyguard

    Child lying on couch with dog cuddling closely, showcasing why kids need a dog for comfort and companionship.

    SmrtGrl86 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #21

    Their Dog Hasn’t Eaten Well Since They Brought Their Baby Home - Dog Kept Taking Food Into The Living Room And Leaving It There

    Baby sleeping in a baby swing covered with a blanket next to a dog eating from a bowl on carpeted floor.

    Someone suggested the dog might be worried the baby isn’t visibly eating, so is “feeding” the baby. They tried giving the baby a bowl of food at the same time. It worked!

    xianaa Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #22

    My Moms Rescue Dog Rico Is Best Friends With My Baby. I Interrupted Them Watching Peppa Pig

    Baby sitting closely beside a large dog on a couch, showing the bond kids can have with dogs.

    izzygray603 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #23

    I Knew My Senior Dog Loved Babies, But Seeing Him Love My Daughter Makes My Heart Burst

    Sleeping baby in a white knit hat cuddled by a small dog on a beige quilted bed, showcasing kids and dogs bonding.

    sarahdxyz Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #24

    Peeking Buddies

    Child hugging a dog standing on hind legs by the window, showcasing the bond between kids and dogs.

    kippei_husky Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #25

    This Bulldog Squish Into Any Space As Along As He’s Close To His Human

    Bulldog sitting closely with a child on small chairs watching TV, showing the bond between kids and dogs.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    jamesyearsley avatar
    James Yearsley
    James Yearsley
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We’re gonna need a bigger chair…

    0
    0points
    reply
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #26

    My Dog Thinks My Daughter Is His Baby. They Love Each Other So Much. This Is How They Fell Asleep Yesterday During Nap Time

    Child cuddling with a large dog on a couch, showing the loving bond between kids and dogs at home.

    jakeisthewolf Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #27

    In Their Mind They Are Secret Service

    Two dogs sitting on grass near a toddler playing outside, showing the bond between kids and dogs.

    POONHANDLER208 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #28

    Took My Dog And Daughter Out For The First Time Together, In A Winter Wonderland

    Young girl hugging a large dog outdoors in a snowy winter setting, showing kids and dog bonding moments.

    obxsurfer06 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #29

    My Baby With My Dog’s Babies

    Toddler cuddling with sleeping puppies in a wooden pen, showcasing the joy of kids and dogs together.

    reddit.com Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #30

    Our Dog Has Hardly Left My Wife’s Side Since Baby Arrived. He’s A Proud Older Brother

    Young woman holding baby with small dog resting nearby on blue blanket, showcasing kids with a dog at home.

    TheBaconmaker Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #31

    My Daughter Was Nervous Around Dogs, And Then She Met This Guy. He Let Her Love All Over Him For 20 Minutes And Afterwards, Her Fear Was Gone. Thank You, Sweet Boy, For Making Her Into The Dog Lover She Is

    Little girl affectionately hugging a large dog, showing the bond between kids and dogs in a playful indoor setting.

    DeeToTheWee Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #32

    My Dog Is 18, Has Trouble Standing. Since Clare Was Born, He Stands For Hours Watching. Good Boy

    Fluffy dog gently watching over a baby sleeping in a cozy indoor setting near a sunlit window.

    joscoto Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #33

    Our Son Had A Heart Transplant. My Wife Made Him A Tin Man Costume. Cowardly Lion Played By Murphy Jenkins

    Child dressed as a tin man with a dog in a lion costume, highlighting kids need a dog in playful outdoor setting.

    iafffu Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #34

    The 12-Week-Old Guarding The 1-Week-Old. Something Tells Me This Is The Start Of A Beautiful Friendship

    A brown puppy lying next to a newborn baby on a patterned blanket, showcasing kids and dog bonding.

    moogadorf Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #35

    This Kid Walking His Dog In Full Astronaut Gear

    Child in an astronaut costume walking a dog on a suburban sidewalk, showing the joy kids get from having a dog.

    kchitownp Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #36

    Our Daughter Was Visited By Maddie, A Therapy Dog, Before Her (Successful) Surgery At Phoenix Children’s Hospital ... This Dog Helped All Of Us More Than She Will Ever Know ... She’s Not A Good Girl, She’s A Great Girl

    Child smiling and petting a dog on a hospital bed, highlighting the bond between kids and dogs.

    LordCinko Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #37

    My Son And Daughter

    Young child standing next to a large dog outdoors, showcasing the bond that makes kids need a dog for companionship.

    xxMrJoshBxx Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #38

    Our Good Girl, Stella. Picked Her Up A Year Ago At The Pound. The Best Farm Dog Ever

    Young child in a black jacket standing outdoors with a large dog, showcasing the bond between kids and dogs.

    laNenabcnco Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #39

    I Waited Over Ten Years For A Dog, Finally Have A Backyard. We Tried For Two Years To Get Pregnant, Finally Had A Daughter. Last Month My Heart Became Complete

    Sleeping baby and dog resting peacefully on a gray couch, showcasing the bond between kids and dogs.

    froyo0102 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #40

    She’s Loyal, Protective, And Goofy. Meet My Daughter’s Best Friend

    Young child wearing fairy wings and holding a stuffed animal, sleeping cuddled up with a large dog on a leather couch.

    blackpinkwhite Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #41

    We Were So Nervous To Bring Our Newborn Son Home To Meet Our Beagle. Best Friends Right Away. Meet Oliver And His Doggo Sophie

    Smiling baby lying next to a dog on a patterned pillow, showcasing the bond between kids and dogs.

    rawrimkat1017 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #42

    Gentle Giant

    A large white dog lying on a bed next to a peacefully resting newborn baby in cozy pajamas.

    icon81 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #43

    My Oldest Has Been Battling A Cold. 95 Lbs Of Lap Puppy To The Rescue. Such A Good Boy

    Child hugging a large dog on a couch, showing the bond between kids and dogs in a cozy home setting.

    Akschmalz Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #44

    My Son Broke His Arm And Ever Since He Came Home My Girlfriend's Dog Won't Leave His Side

    Child and dog sleeping together under a colorful blanket, showing why kids need a dog for companionship and comfort.

    bastian74 Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #45

    Beginning Of A Great Friendship

    Curly black and white dog resting its head beside a baby lying on a soft white blanket indoors.

    VirusGuy Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #46

    My Nephew Meeting The Puppy

    Baby being held by adult while a German Shepherd puppy licks the baby's face, showing kids and dog bonding.

    quiettcricket Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST
    #47

    My Wife And Her Pupper 30 Years Ago, And Our Daughter And Her Pupper

    Baby in a pink dress resting with a large dog, showcasing the bond between kids and dogs in cozy home settings.


    land0man Report

    Final score:
    0points
    POST

    Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

    Follow Bored Panda on Google News!