In the United Kingdom, the acquisition of a new puppy by families is often viewed through a rose-tinted lens, frequently associated with joy, companionship, and the promise of improved mental well-being for both adults and children. Yet, a groundbreaking open-access study published in PLOS One on September 17, 2025, challenges this simplistic view by revealing a more nuanced reality. Conducted by Dr. Rowena Packer and colleagues at the Royal Veterinary College, this survey-based research highlights that while puppy ownership can indeed bring happiness, it simultaneously introduces a range of mental health challenges that families must carefully navigate.
The study draws upon survey data collected from 382 adults and 216 children aged between 8 and 17 years residing in UK households with a puppy. This extensive sample allows for a detailed comparison of mental health impacts across different ages and family roles—an area previously neglected since many investigations have principally focused on adult pet owners, leaving children’s experiences underexplored. The dual inclusion of both adults and children provides a comprehensive understanding of how puppy ownership affects familial mental dynamics.
Central to the findings is the affirmation that new puppies commonly generate feelings of joy and comfort among family members. Parents often report observing mental health benefits in their children, while the children themselves describe experiences of happiness and emotional solace through their interactions with their dogs. These positive emotional outcomes underscore the significant role companionship plays in enhancing mood and providing social support within the domestic environment.
However, an important contrast emerges, particularly among primary puppy caregivers, more than one-third of whom found the experience tougher than expected. The strain was especially pronounced for first-time dog owners, who encountered greater difficulties managing child-puppy interactions compared to experienced owners. This difference may reflect gaps in knowledge or preparedness regarding the behavioral needs and training demands essential during a puppy’s formative months, which can place undue stress on caregivers.
The study also sheds light on intra-family negotiation challenges concerning responsibilities related to puppy care. Clearly defined roles about who manages feeding, walking, training, and cleaning tasks often do not exist, resulting in unequal work distribution and potential sources of friction. This ambiguity intensifies stress, especially for female family members who predominantly assume primary caregiving duties—95% of these primary caregivers in the study were identified as mothers.
The disproportionate mental load borne by mothers highlights a largely invisible form of labor. Mothers reported feeling overwhelmed as they juggled puppy care alongside existing family obligations, including childcare and household management. This hidden workload, described as a “significant and previously overlooked form of hidden women’s labor,” raises critical questions about gender roles within domestic responsibilities and its impact on maternal mental health during the challenging puppyhood phase.
Children’s interaction with puppies presented additional complexities. While responsible pet interactions are essential for the well-being of both parties, many children in the study engaged in behaviors known to escalate bite risk, such as hugging and cuddling. The research elucidates that children often seek physical comfort from dogs during moments of emotional distress like boredom or loneliness, inadvertently placing dogs in stressful situations that may provoke defensive reactions, including biting or snapping.
Dr. Packer advises parents and caregivers to actively educate themselves and their children on how to foster safe dog-child relationships. Setting clear boundaries, understanding canine behavior, and supervising interactions are vital strategies in mitigating bite risks and ensuring a healthy coexistence. Such preventive measures have important implications not only for the physical safety of children but also for maintaining the psychological welfare of the family pet.
The mental health impact of puppy ownership, as depicted by this research, unravels the often-unseen emotional toll layered beneath the excitement and affection associated with a new dog. The findings invite families to approach puppy acquisition with a realistic understanding of the responsibilities involved, balancing the anticipated mental health benefits with the practical challenges and emotional labor required to maintain harmonious household dynamics.
In the broader context of public health and family well-being, this study contributes valuable insights into how pet ownership intersects with psychological factors within domestic settings. The nuanced perspective it offers challenges prior assumptions related to the unilaterally positive effects of companion animals, especially when children are involved, and underlines the necessity for targeted interventions such as educational programs on dog training and child safety.
Furthermore, the research accentuates the need for community and veterinary support systems that address the complexities faced by new puppy owners. Providing resources and training opportunities for families—emphasizing inclusive participation—could alleviate burdens on primary caregivers and foster more equitable sharing of dog care tasks among family members.
By bringing attention to the mental health nuances of puppy acquisition, this study not only informs prospective dog owners but also calls for a cultural reevaluation of how pet care responsibilities are assigned and managed within households. It underscores that joy and emotional comfort do not come without challenges, and informed preparation is crucial to maximize the benefits while minimizing the mental health strains associated with puppy ownership.
This multifaceted examination of puppy acquisition reveals that it is far more than a simple act of bringing a pet home. Instead, it constitutes a complex psychosocial process impacting every family member differently, shaped by existing family dynamics, gender roles, and knowledge about animal behavior. Navigating this process successfully demands awareness, communication, and preparedness—a message of both caution and hope for the many families contemplating the profound life change that comes with a new puppy.
Subject of Research: Not applicable
Article Title: 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
News Publication Date: 17-Sep-2025
Web References: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0331179
References: 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.
Image Credits: sabina fratila, Unsplash, CC0
Keywords: puppy ownership, mental health, family dynamics, child safety, gender roles, pet care responsibilities, dog behavior, puppy training, UK families
