Table 3 Univariable and multivariable associations between pet ownership at ages 3 and 11 years and behavioural difficulties and ages 3 and 11 years. Two different measures, using the same subscales, but different scoring methods, were used at age 3 (revised Rutter score) and at age 11 (strengths and difficulties Questionnaire)

Emotional difficulties

Has any Pet

3

8980

0.94 (0.86, 1.02)

0.127

0.95 (0.87, 1.04)

0.265

11

2642

1.17 (0.86, 1.58)

0.307

0.98 (0.71, 1.34)

0.886

Has Dog

3

8973

0.97 (0.88, 1.08)

0.627

0.97 (0.87, 1.08)

0.545

11

2645

1.16 (0.89, 1.51)

0.258

1.08 (0.82, 1.42)

0.586

Has Cat

3

8973

0.95 (0.87, 1.05)

0.326

0.96 (0.87, 1.05)

0.359

11

2646

1.09 (0.86, 1.41)

0.459

0.99 (0.76, 1.28)

0.925

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3

8973

0.89 (0.82, 0.98)

0.017*

0.92 (0.84, 1.02)

0.097

11

2645

1.03 (0.81, 1.31)

0.799

0.91 (0.71, 1.17)

0.479

Hyperactivity

Has any Pet

3

7789

1.05 (0.96, 1.15)

0.278

1.09 (0.99, 1.21)

0.057

11

2640

1.12 (0.78, 1.60)

0.535

1.28 (0.87, 1.86)

0.207

Has Dog

3

7783

1.03 (0.92, 1.15)

0.670

1.05 (0.92, 1.17)

0.464

11

2643

1.18 (0.86, 1.60)

0.309

1.22 (0.88, 1.69)

0.231

Has Cat

3

7783

1.09 (0.98, 1.20)

0.095

1.12 (1.01, 1.24)

0.037*

11

2644

1.19 (0.88, 1.60)

0.243

1.21 (0.89, 1.65)

0.221

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3

7783

0.96 (0.87, 1.06)

0.396

1.00 (0.91, 1.11)

0.954

11

2643

0.73 (0.55, 0.97)

0.029*

0.78 (0.58, 1.05)

0.103

Conduct Difficulties

Has any Pet

3

8980

1.14 (1.05, 1.24)

0.002*

1.14 (1.05, 1.25)

0.003*

11

2643

1.38 (1.02, 1.86)

0.040*

1.29 (0.94, 1.78)

0.111

Has Dog

3

8973

1.18 (1.06, 1.31)

0.002*

1.19 (1.07, 1.33)

0.002*

11

2646

1.47 (1.15, 1.88)

0.002*

1.44 (1.11, 1.86)

0.006*

Has Cat

3

8973

1.16 (1.06, 1.27)

0.002*

1.17 (1.06, 1.29)

0.001*

11

2647

1.17 (0.93, 1.49)

0.188

1.09 (0.85, 1.39)

0.509

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3

8973

1.04 (0.95, 1.14)

0.365

1.01 (0.92, 1.11)

0.851

11

2646

0.90 (0.72, 1.14)

0.381

0.85 (0.66, 1.08)

0.173

Peer Problems

11

Has any Pet

2644

0.93 (0.72, 1.20)

0.574

0.93 (0.71, 1.22)

0.593

Has Dog

2647

1.15 (0.91, 1.45)

0.233

1.16 (0.91, 1.49)

0.234

Has Cat

2648

1.19 (0.96, 1.49)

0.113

1.17 (0.93, 1.47)

0.192

Has other/miscellaneous pets

2647

0.73 (0.59, 0.91)

0.004*

0.72 (0.57, 0.89)

0.004*

Prosocial

Has any Pet

3

7944

0.93 (0.85, 1.01)

0.098

0.95 (0.86, 1.04)

0.261

11

2645

0.84 (0.57, 1.23)

0.371

0.91 (0.61, 1.37)

0.656

Has Dog

3

7937

0.89 (0.79, 0.99)

0.033*

0.89 (0.79, 1.01)

0.068

11

2648

1.20 (0.84, 1.72)

0.309

1.37 (0.94, 1.99)

0.103

Has Cat

3

7937

1.01 (0.91, 1.11)

0.885

1.02 (0.92, 1.13)

0.737

11

2649

0.96 (0.67, 1.36)

0.803

0.95 (0.66, 1.37)

0.795

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3

7937

0.87 (0.79, 0.96)

0.004*

0.88 (0.79, 0.97)

0.012*

11

2648

0.76 (0.55, 1.06)

0.109

0.79 (0.57, 1.13)

0.202

Total Behavioural Difficulties

Has any Pet

3

8963

1.04 (0.95, 1.13)

0.435

1.07 (0.97, 1.17)

0.167

11

2643

1.23 (0.84, 1.79)

0.282

1.15 (0.77, 1.72)

0.506

Has Dog

3

8956

1.04 (0.94, 1.16)

0.465

1.05 (0.93, 1.17)

0.450

11

2646

1.33 (0.97, 1.82)

0.079

1.29 (0.92, 1.80)

0.141

Has Cat

3

8956

1.06 (0.96, 1.16)

0.251

1.07 (0.97, 1.19)

0.181

11

2647

1.29 (0.96, 1.75)

0.090

1.21 (0.88, 1.66)

0.242

Has other/miscellaneous pets

3

8956

0.95 (0.87, 1.04)

0.294

0.98 (0.88, 1.08)

0.615

11

2646

0.79 (0.59, 1.06)

0.116

0.73 (0.53, 0.99)

0.044*