Pet Week 4: Pets and Human Attachment

Lorenz and his geese.

            If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time, hopefully, you have learned a little about the attachment relationship between mother and child.  Bowlby’sand Ainsworth’s now famous studies on maternal attachment have their roots in studies that had previously been completed through animal observations.  In animals, as with humans, the newborn’s instinctual ability to keep close proximity to its mother is a very necessary tool for survival.  While this is typically referred to as attachment in humans, in animals it is known as imprinting.    

            Konard Lorenz’s work with birds, especially ducks and goslings, shaped much of what we know about imprinting today.  He discovered that imprinting must take place during a critical period.  An animal will not be able to attach before this critical period, and, if after this critical period an attachment has not been formed, it will never be able to form an attachment to another being.  Later researchers determined that the critical period ends when the animals starts to exhibit signs of fear. 

            This idea of a critical period of attachment has also been found in human infants.  Bowlby’s work discovered that between birth and three months, babies will interact with anyone.  Between three and six months, they begin to favor individuals with whom they are familiar.  By 6 months, human infants show a clear preference for their primary caregiver, most often the mother, and will likely exhibit separation anxiety and a fear of strangers at 8 or 9 months.  Beyond this, research shows that babies who have started to emotionally attach with their mothers at 3 months are more likely to be securely attached at 12 months and demonstrate less behavior problems at 24 months.  Given these findings, it appears that the critical period of human infant attachment is within the first three months of life.  However, research certainly doesn’t show that this period is as critical as it is in some animals.  That is, babies who do not attach within the first three months of life certainly are not doomed to never attach to a human!

            During Lorenz’s research, he raised orphan goslings.  As he attended to them during their critical period, they actually imprinted on him!  They would follow him in a single line, paying no attention to other geese. 

So, back to the topic of pet week, can our pet dogs and cats attach to humans?  According to at least one study, dogs and their owners experience physical changes as a result of contact with each other.  The study measured levels of oxytocin, cortisol, and insulin in both the dogs and their owners before they were exposed to each other and after exposure after 3, 15, and 30 minute intervals.  These are hormones that measure levels of stress and increase feelings of love and belonging; oxytocin, specifically, is related to maternal attachment in humans as there are increases in oxytocin after childbirth and while breastfeeding.  The researchers discovered after the interaction between human and pet, stress levels and heart rate were reduced.   These are similar to the physical reactions that occur during interactions between a human mother and her infant.  So, it appears that humans may be able to serve as a secure base for their pets! 

Sources:

Crain, W. (2001). Theories of development: Concepts and applications. Prentice Hall: Boston.

Handlin, L.,  Hydbring-Sandberg, E. Nilsson, A., Ejdebäck, M.,  Jansson, A. Uvnäs-Moberg, K. (2011). Short-term interaction between dogs and their owners: Effects on oxytocin, cortisol, insulin and heart rate—An exploratory study. Anthrozoos: A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animal, 24(3), 301-315.

Pet Week 3: The Benefits of Pets on Kids

     As I stated in my introduction post, my husband and I were a little concerned about bringing a baby home to our two cats.  They had never had any contact with children, so we really did not know how they would react. I certainly wanted to raise Q-ball with pets.  As such, we always take the necessary safety precautions: never leaving her alone with the cats, ensuring cats cannot come near her while she is sleeping, and vaccinating the cats. 

  Science has shown there are lots of benefits for kids who have pets.  Read on!

1. A Detroit Childhood Allergy study showed that children who were exposed to pets in their first year of life typically had half the sensitivity to dogs and cats as children without exposure to pets.  (One difference was girls with dogs- they actually showed an increase to later sensitivity.  The researchers could not explain this difference...)
2. A study published by the American Medical Association found that exposure to pets early in life can actually decrease the risk of allergies to dust mites, grass, ragweed, and Alternaria (a fungus found in air.)
3. A University of Virginia in Charlottesville study found that teenagers with family dogs were more likely to be in shape and less likely to be overweight than their pet-less counterparts.  
4. Pets provide companionship for children.  As children age, they become increasingly attached to their pets- providing more care and increasingly playing with the pet.  
5. In the case of working mothers, children are even more attached to their pets. Children with working mothers, stated pets served as a "special friend."  This relationship between child and pet may provide another consistent attachment figure for the child whose mother works outside the home, leading to increased separation from the primary attachment figure.
6. In younger children (kindergarten age), greater levels of empathy and fewer behavioral issues were found in children with pets.

Sources: 

Grano, A. (2011, July 20). The benefits of pet ownership from babies to teens. [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://www.nativeremedies.com/blog/benefits-of-pet-ownership-from-babies-to-teens/

Melville, K. (2002. August 20). Dogs, cats reduce risk of allergies in kids. Retrieved from http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20020728214213data_trunc_sys.shtml

Melson, G., Peet, S., Sparks, C. (1991).  Children's attachment to their pets: Links to socio-development. Children's Environments Quarterly, (8)2, 55-65. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/8_2/AttachmentToPets_Vol8%282%29.pdf

Wordless Wednesday: Pets!

Well, the title should more accurately state "Barnum and Q-ball"- as was stated yesterday, Bailey is more interested in being a trophy cat.

Pet Week! Introduction

Barnum and Bailey

   It goes without saying that this blog spends a lot of time focusing on my wonderful baby, Q-ball.  But, this week I want to spend some time honoring my husband's and my first babies- our kitties, Barnum and Bailey!  And, don't worry, Grandparents, Q-ball will still be adequately represented. 
    Pets have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Many of my happy family memories include our first pets- Precious (our very cat-like Persian) and Mister Mister (our happy Toto dog.)  During the summers, I was also able to spend time with my extended family's cats and dogs.  However, having pets is not without risks.  My brother, sister, and I each had an ER trip as a result of a pet incident (two for me, actually...)

   So, husband and I were worried about bringing a baby into a household with two spoiled cats. But, we, fortunately, have not had any problems.  It has been fun to watch the relationships between the kitties and Q-ball change over the past 8 months. Barnum, our dog-like cat, was not interested in Q-ball until recently.  On the other hand, Bailey, our cat-like cat, used Q-ball to get extra attention for herself.  She would use Q-ball as her pillow during early breastfeeding sessions, so that I could more easily show Bailey affection.  

   Q-ball started to notice Barnum and Bailey's existence when she was around 3.5 months.  At about tail pull number 20, Bailey stopped joined us for feedings and has pretty much avoided Q-ball since. When Q-ball started crawling, she started fruitlessly chasing the kitties. And, to my disappointment, trying to jump off of furniture like they do, a habit that has yet to stop.  

   But, Q-ball and Barnum have started to become good friends.  For about the past month, Barnum has started rubbing against Q-ball and letting her pet him.  This week, Barnum has been especially patient and loving of his newest sister. Q-ball has taken to punching him in the stomach, aggressively pulling his tail and whiskers, and wrestling with him.  But, he seems to enjoy it, or at least put up with it because he knows he'll get extra affection from me, and Q-ball will share her toys with him.

   So, this week is dedicated to the following:

Utz, Stella, and Bella

• Barnum's patience with Q-ball 
• Mr. Utz, my family's dog who recently passed away  
• Dr. L-E, a newly appointed veterinarian and wonderful family friend

Come back to read about to to safely have kids and pets, the benefits of pets, attachment theory and animals, and lots of pictures!

Do you have pet memories from your childhood?  How do your pets interact with your children?  I'd love to hear your stories!