Help, my child doesn't like animals

6-year-old Luka is delighted: «Can Thea sit in the back with me?» They are going on a Sunday outing into the countryside, and the family dog should come along, of course. His older brother Leon turns up his nose. «But if she sits in the back, I'm not travelling with her!» The two boys grow up in the same household, have the same friends, go to the same school and yet are completely different when it comes to animals.

Many children are like Leon. Parents with multiple offspring in particular can tell you a thing or two about it. While one child wants to adopt every puppy and kitten immediately and is happy to be greeted by animals, the other child grumbles about a single animal hair.

Animal love: a mixture of heritage and experience

For a long time, people pondered whether animal love was innate or acquired. Twin research was finally able to shed some light on this. According to a Vietnamese long-term twin study, children are genetically born with a love of animals - it is hereditary. However, whether children remain animal-loving later in life does not depend on whether they grow up in the same environment - for example, the same family - but on whether they have negative experiences with animals.

So if, despite having the same genetic make-up, an identical twin is cuddling with the family retriever while his brother is being chased across the driveway by the neighbour's dog while riding his tricycle, this can be the foundation for a love of animals to develop in different ways. For Barbara Rufer, every child is initially like a blank page, «open to the world and curious».

The qualified specialist and lecturer in animal-assisted therapy and education from the canton of Bern puts this down to the human affinity with nature: «Somehow we are always drawn to nature. Living things in particular fascinate children - even if it's just a snail.»

The close relationship between humans and animals became known as the biophilia hypothesis thanks to the US sociobiologist Edward O. Wilson. According to Wilson, humans developed an affinity for the many forms of life, habitats and ecosystems over the course of evolution.

Only snakes are the exception, explains Rufer: «This fear is a primeval fear reflex that some people still have in them.» Otherwise, fear of animals is not innate, but arises from various influences.

Parents who are afraid of animals can hardly hide this from their children.

The foundations for an aversion to certain animals are laid in the first few years of life, explains Rufer. In her therapy sessions, the specialist works alone with the children, as parents have too great an influence on their offspring's behaviour. «Basically, it's good to see whether the parents are also afraid.» After all, anxiety is mainly inherited and copied.

Parents who are afraid of animals themselves can hardly hide this and cannot keep their child open. Babies as young as three months old would study their parents and «learn from the model». «The same applies to the social environment, of course,» says Rufer. Once children are of school age, the judgement about animals is usually made.

Parents are all the sadder when children don't have a soft spot for animals. This is because experts agree on the benefits of animals in early childhood: from personal development, social skills and emotional development to learning and health, pets are simply good for everything.

Interacting with animals is good for children

Children's social skills in particular are strongly encouraged by animals, says David Naef from the Swiss Animal Protection STS and its Krax youth club: «Animals are very important for children. For one thing, we know that children who grow up with animals develop completely different social behaviour.»

Secondly, children would learn certain ethical aspects. «If the animal is doing well or badly, children can identify with it,» says Naef. Pets also teach children to take responsibility for another living being.

The health aspects cannot be denied either: Petting animals not only lowers the heart rate and blood pressure through the release of the so-called cuddling hormone oxytocin, but also reduces anxiety and stress.

Typical stressful situations, such as giving a presentation or speaking up in class, can be made easier with pets. In the presence of animals, overweight children find it easier to lose weight, and even the risk of allergies can be reduced by keeping dogs and cats.

Should I persuade my pet-lover?

In view of so many advantages: What should parents do if their offspring don't like pets? Rufer warns that no child should be forced to have contact with animals. «It must always be voluntary.» In this context, the child's self-determination is particularly important to the expert: «I would only change something if the child feels the need to do so.» Without intrinsic motivation, there would be no basis.

If the desire to tackle the topic is there, then it is very important «that you take your time, don't put any pressure on yourself and approach it calmly.» At Rufer, the children therefore set the pace. Furthermore, every child has different preferences. «It doesn't always have to be the same animal,» says Rufer.

Sometimes existing allergies or other reasons force the family to decide against a pet. Naef is also of the opinion that keeping a pet does not have to be compulsory.

There are enough alternatives to introduce children to the benefits of animals. Helping on a farm or at an animal sanctuary would also instil a sense of responsibility, while observing wild animals in nature would awaken the spirit of exploration.

Leon also finds it much more interesting to watch turtles, frogs and spiders than to spend time with the family dog. So there's no need to worry.