For a child living with domestic abuse, a pet may be more than a beloved animal. It may be a source of comfort, safety, and the feeling of being heard—while also becoming part of the danger. Children living with domestic violence and abuse draw on different strategies to manage the complicated dynamics of family life.

This study explored children’s experiences of their relationships with pets and other animals, and how children understood those relationships. But there was a missing voice: research on children, domestic abuse, and companion animals included very little direct input from children and young people.

Some studies asked children about animal cruelty or their relationship with a pet, but children’s experience of domestic abuse and their mental health were reported through parents. Direct research with children about their relationships with pets and experiences of animal abuse in domestic abuse was extremely limited, and this study aimed to address that gap.

The children’s accounts were examined by reading and rereading the interviews, while listening to the recordings. Several members of the research team examined some interviews separately, then discussed how they were interpreting and labelling what they found.

Different interpretations were discussed until agreement was reached, and the themes were then reviewed and developed as the analysis progressed. The findings described animals as part of the family and as important beings in children’s lives.

Children described caring for animals and being cared for in return, and they interacted with animals to feel more heard and supported. But the same relationships could also be caught up in abuse and control, and leaving domestic abuse could bring disruption, uncertainty, and loss in children’s relationships with their animals.

For some children, a pet’s steady presence makes home feel safer: stroking its fur, watching it, or simply having it nearby can ease stress and even keep nightmares away. But animals could also be part of the danger: pets may be used to control people and may be directly abused by perpetrators of domestic abuse.

The interviews did not specifically ask about direct experiences of violence against animals, so they did not provide specific examples of animal maltreatment. Even so, the children showed that they were aware of threats and violence toward animals.

The children had strong bonds with their companion animals, whom they saw as important sources of emotional support, comfort, and safety. These findings support the possibility that companion animals may help children build resilience when children are facing the effects of domestic abuse.

They also show how children affected by domestic abuse may benefit from their relationships with companion animals before and after fleeing. The interviews were drawn from a larger study about children coping with domestic abuse, rather than being focused specifically on companion animals.

That meant the theme came from the children themselves, but it also meant that some opportunities were missed to explore more deeply what animals meant in their lives and their experience of domestic abuse. A study focused specifically on this subject could explore children’s perspectives and experiences more fully.

Children described strong bonds with their companion animals before and after leaving abuse. Support for families escaping domestic abuse needs to protect those animals too, because they can be part of a child’s emotional safety.