Dogs Offer Unique Benefits That Resemble Child-Like Relationships - Title: Are Dogs Superior to Children?
Increasingly, dogs in Germany and other Western and East Asian countries are treated as cherished family members, with some owners even considering them as their children. This trend, according to Hungarian researchers in the journal "European Psychologist," is attributable to several psychological factors that mirror broader societal shifts and personal preferences.
Researchers argue that, due to reduced contact with children in their daily lives, pets, particularly dogs, have increasingly assumed the role of companions. In many cases, the dog becomes the chosen pet because they fill a nurturing void, granting owners a relationship similar to that with an infant.
Dogs can establish a strong emotional bond with their owners, leading to brain regions associated with parental love being activated when owners view pictures of their dogs and children, highlighting a deep psychological attachment.
The cognitive abilities of dogs, their ability to learn and respond to human communication, enable them to exhibit social behaviors akin to pre-verbal children. This, in turn, reinforces their role as surrogate family members.
Moreover, the relatively short lifespan of dogs compared to humans makes dog ownership less burdensome than child rearing, appealing to those seeking a shorter-term nurturing experience.
The relationship with dogs is also culturally influenced. In some societies, like the United States, dog owners often refer to their pets as their "children," while in others, the relationship tends to be more distant.
Interestingly, while many owners see their dogs as replacements for children, the researchers note that this is often a conscious decision with a clear awareness of the significant differences in the relationship with their canine companions compared to children.
In Germany, dogs reside in one out of five households (21 percent), a proportion that has remained relatively stable in recent years. Approximately seven billion euros were spent on pet food and accessories in Germany alone in 2024.
However, it's important to note that the decision to keep a dog instead of a child is not a general substitute. Respondents in studies often made this choice precisely because dogs are not like children. Furthermore, surveys show that most people would prioritize human life over a hundred dog lives, further emphasizing the distinction between humans and animals.
Every year in the United States, around three million dogs end up in animal shelters, more than three percent of the total number of dogs kept there, highlighting the likelihood of ending the relationship with a dog being higher than with a child.
The trend of treating dogs as "children" is an intricate interplay of emotional needs, societal pressures, and personal choices about family and nurturing roles.
Dog ownership in some households increasingly mirrors the role of employment, as owners provide for their pets' needs and seek a nurturing relationship with them. In light of this, community policies might benefit from incorporating pet-friendly regulations and resources, similar to how employment policies cater to working parents.
Moreover, as the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden industries have capitalized on the trend of treating dogs as family members with an abundance of pet-specific products, the pet industry can serve as a case study for understanding the market desires driven by lifestyle preferences. For instance, the increase in spending on pet food and accessories in Germany can be seen as a reflection of the priority placed on pet care in daily life.
