Study Chiang Mai, Thailand, December 22, 2025 – A large scoping review synthesizing more than four decades of research reveals that child–dog interactions offer meaningful benefits for children, but may simultaneously introduce hidden welfare risks for dogs.
The review by Giraudet, Liu, McElligott, and Cobb (2022) analyzed 393 documents published between 1980 and 2022, capturing the broad range of ways children and dogs interact—whether neutral, positive, or negative. The authors identified consistent evidence that early-life interactions with dogs can support increased physical activity, reduced stress, and enhanced empathy in children. These benefits align with longstanding research suggesting that animals contribute to childhood social and emotional development.
However, the review highlights equally important concerns. Children are also the highest-risk population for dog bites and zoonotic infections, outcomes that may result in injury, persistent fear of dogs, or even death in severe cases. Pet bereavement, often underestimated, can also represent a significant emotional event in a child’s life.
From the dog’s perspective, welfare considerations are substantial. Children frequently engage in caretaking behaviors such as walking or feeding, which can provide healthy exercise and socialization for dogs. Yet, dogs often show heightened stress levels in the presence of children, likely due to unpredictable movements, vocalizations, and physical interactions associated with normal child behavior. When physical activity is insufficient for either species, risks such as obesity increase.
The authors note that welfare outcomes for assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and free-roaming dogs interacting with children remain insufficiently studied. Despite widespread assumptions about the mutual benefits of these relationships, empirical evidence supporting dog wellbeing in such contexts is still limited.
Overall, the review concludes that the benefits of child–dog interactions outweigh the risks for children—but not necessarily for dogs. More longitudinal and cross-cultural studies are needed to refine understanding of how these interactions affect both species across developmental stages and sociocultural settings.
Source: Giraudet, C. S. E., Liu, K., McElligott, A., & Cobb, M. L. (2022). Are children and dogs best friends? A scoping review to explore the positive and negative effects of child-dog interactions. PeerJ. No DOI provided in summary.
