If you had a pet while growing up, you probably have some great memories. Pets are our first friends. They comfort us, protect us, explore with us, and play with us. It’s no wonder they’re so important to us during those early years!
Recent studies show that kids who grow up with pets are healthier than those who don’t. Dogs seem to be the best improvers on physical health, although cats also improve it. Some evidence shows that babies from families with pets are healthier overall throughout their first year of life. They also have lower incidences of allergies and asthma.
It’s a complex topic, but some researchers think that exposure to the microbes from pets helps an infant’s immune systems mature. That means fewer illnesses both short- and long-term!
However, pets are great for children’s mental and emotional health, too. In fact, some researchers think pets are instrumental in healthy childhood development. The presence of animals reduces stress, helps kids learn to communicate, and teaches socialization.
Sure, not every home is ready for a pet. But these statistics — and these 56 photos — make a pretty compelling argument.
1. They love getting into trouble together
These two friends might be tiny, but that’s not going to stop them from getting into anything and everything they want. Size doesn’t matter when you have teamwork and determination!
Some babies love baths and some hate them. The same goes for cats. But since this kitty does a pretty good job of bathing himself, he probably won’t get into the tub unless he falls in.
This snuggle works out perfectly for everyone involved! With one head on top of the other, both dog and child enjoy a pillow and a little bit of warmth. That’s how to make a naptime a win-win situation for everyone.
5. They don’t cry over spilled milk, they drink it
When all your friends are cats, spilling milk isn’t a reason to cry. Instead, it creates the perfect opportunity to feast! No wonder this little girl is the cats’ best friend. When she’s around, there’s free milk.
These two friends aren’t just striking the same pose, but they’re also dressed head to toe in orange and white! Who wouldn’t want to dress up just like their best buddy?
There are snuggles and then there are SNUGGLES if you know what I mean. These two are so cozy that I’m jealous of not having a puppy right beside me, too.
Pets love kids, but kids don’t always understand boundaries — which leads to plenty of situations like this. Hopefully, the dog will survive his face-grabbing and learn to take it all in stride.
This Maine Coon cat is the same size as this baby, but that similarity isn’t important to him. What’s most important to this cat is taking his role seriously as this little girl’s protector — so he always holds her hand!
Cats and dogs might be the most popular pets, but that doesn’t eliminate them from also being your best bud. This bunny gets plenty of love, making it clear he has a special place in her heart.
There’s nothing like capturing the small, sweet moment like this. The pure love this little girl has for her dog is clearly evident in the way she looks at him so lovingly.
Kids and animals come up with all sorts of shenanigans when they put their heads together. This little guy doesn’t just have one dog on his team but four!
14. When you share something in common with a friend
This little boy has heterochromia, meaning his eyes are two different colors. It’s pretty rare, but luckily for him, he’s found a feline friend with the same condition! The two of them even have blue eyes on the same side.
Kids love being mischievous so having an animal join in is the perfect way to have fun. Most of the time, they’re all too happy to do so. Let’s face it — animals are pretty weird, too!
This little boy might be small, but he’s got a larger-than-life protector watching his back. His German Shepherd is right there to protect him from any trouble that comes his way.
Animals don’t enjoy everything that children do to them. Kids don’t always have a good sense of boundaries, which means that cats and dogs get picked up, poked, prodded, and crowded. This cat’s face says it all.
Dogs take their roles as caretakers very seriously, and this dog is a perfect example! He saw his girl needed a drink, so he was happy to turn the fountain on for her.
It took a long time for dogs to earn the title of man’s best friend. Considering it’s a relationship that’s lasted millennia, it’s not surprising there are pictures of kids and their dogs hanging out in every era!
It takes time for pets to acclimate to new babies. This infant girl hasn’t been home long, but the cat is already warming up to her. Today, she decided they’re going to hold paws.
22. If this doesn’t touch you, you have a heart of stone
The love this little girl has for her dog is overflowing. You can see it in her face as she snuggles up to him in the middle of the playground. It was worth stopping everything for a moment!
This picture captured two hilarious reactions to the first snowfall of the year. The little girl looks like she’s ready to build snowmen and have some snowball fights. On the other hand, this dog looks likes its thinking about those cold bathroom breaks.
Who said that big animals can’t have a relationship with kids? This horse is a lot bigger than this little girl, but she knows to be extra gentle so they can play together safely.
This baby might be tiny, but he or she has nothing to worry about. Not only is this dog happy to serve as a comfy bed but also stave off anyone who might bother them.
This is probably the first time this baby has seen snow, and there’s no telling what the cat thinks of it. Some cats love the snow and some of them really, REALLY don’t.
Apparently, this kitten decided it was going to be the baby’s hat. These two are probably about the same age, which makes them perfect playmates for one another!
This sweet boy stopped in the middle of playing to give his best friend a kiss and a snuggle. If you have kids, you know how hard it is for them to take a break from doing what they enjoy, proving this must be love!
From their earliest days, babies love cats, dogs, and other animals. They automatically light up when they see them and fortunately, that doesn’t change as they get older. While kids might feel they’re too old to snuggle Mom and Dad, they never outgrow snuggling up to their pets.
Cats are known for their ability to stop, drop, and nap at any time. Babies, on the other hand, usually fight naptime so they can keep playing. This picture begs the question: who napped first, the baby or the cat?
Have you ever been so tired that you’ve dropped right where you were and went to sleep? To be fair, this little one had a pretty comfy “bed” to lay on.
There’s quite the size difference between this boy and his big German Shepherd! The dog might be the one on the leash, but you have to ask which one is leading and which is following.
This little boy is in his pajamas and ready for bed, but he looks pretty comfortable right where he is! I would be too if I had a soft, warm, furry dog to sleep on.
There are a lot of reasons that cats rub their heads and faces on things. Usually, it’s about marking things with their scent as a way of claiming their territory. But when they do it to people, like this sweet baby, it’s a loving way to say “Hello, you’re mine!”
38. I see your kid + dog and raise you a kid + donkey
We look at adorable photos of kids with cats and dogs all day, and I won’t ever complain! But kids get along with all kinds of pets. Just check out this little boy who’s playing with his friend, a donkey!
If you had a pet as a kid, you probably have a lot of memories of the games you played together! You can play fetch, race, play with toys, or even take a trip to the park to go on the swings!
Some animals take a while to warm up to the new baby, but this cat clearly welcomed this new little human as part of the family. Maybe with that hair, he thinks he’s another kitten!
Pictures of kids with puppies and kittens will never stop being adorable, but just check out this photo of a little girl with a flock of ducklings. Have you ever seen anything so cute in all your life?
