A survey study of families with puppies in the U.K. has identified multiple mental health challenges alongside benefits of ownership for adults and kids alike, suggesting that a mental health boost should not be the main motivator behind getting a puppy. Rowena Packer of the Royal Veterinary College, U.K., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One on September 17, 2025.
Families may consider adding a puppy to the household with the hope that it will improve mental health, especially for kids. Such hopes were behind many puppy acquisitions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, prior research has returned ambiguous results about the potential benefits of pet ownership, and most studies have focused on adult owners, neglecting children's experiences. To help address this gap, Packer and colleagues surveyed adults and children in U.K. households with a puppy, collecting data from a total of 382 adults and 216 children aged 8 to 17.
Analysis of the survey responses suggested that dog ownership brought joy to many parents and children alike. Many parents felt their dog provided mental health benefits to their children, and children reported feeling comfort and happiness from their dogs.
However, more than one-third of adults who served as the primary puppy caregiver in their household felt that having a puppy was more challenging than expected. Compared to experienced puppy owners, first-time owners were more likely to find child-puppy interactions to be challenging. Negotiating which family members were responsible for which aspects of dog care also posed challenges.
Some children reported frustration with their dogs' attention-seeking behavior. Additionally, almost all children in the study were permitted to interact with their dog in ways that could increase the risk of being bitten.
Ninety-five percent of the primary puppy caregivers in the study were female, with many moms feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for their puppy, suggesting that moms may bear a greater share of the mental load associated with puppy ownership.
On the basis of the findings, the researchers highlight several considerations for families thinking of getting a puppy, such as discussing dog-care responsibilities with children and attending dog-training classes that include safety training for children.
Dr. Rowena Packer adds: "Our study shows that young children often interact with dogs in ways that can increase the risk of bites, such as hugging or cuddling them. Children are especially likely to approach their dogs for comfort when they feel upset, bored or lonely, which can lead to very close contact that some dogs find stressful. In these moments, dogs may react defensively, sometimes by snapping or biting to try and escape the situation. We encourage parents and caregivers to learn about safe dog–child interactions, set clear boundaries with their children, and closely monitor their interactions with dogs to protect both children and pets."
Dr. Zoe Belshaw adds: "Bringing a new puppy into the family is often seen as a source of joy, companionship, and fun, but behind the excitement lies a great deal of unseen work. Our new research suggests that responsibility doesn't always fall where people might expect. In families with school-aged children, we found that whilst children and fathers may help with certain puppy care tasks, the majority of the ongoing responsibility tends to be taken on by mothers. Mothers involved in our research described feeling overwhelmed trying to juggle the competing needs of their dog and their family, particularly during the puppyhood stages. This workload represents a significant and previously overlooked form of hidden women's labor."
In your coverage, please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS One: http://plos.io/4g5CZaq
Citation: Belshaw Z, Brand CL, O'Neill DG, Packer RMA (2025) More than just one man and his dog: The many impacts of puppy acquisition on the mental health of families including children in the UK. PLoS One 20(9): e0331179. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331179
Author countries: U.K.
Funding: Society of Companion Animal Studies (no grant number provided).
