So your kids have been asking for a pet as a gift. As their parent, you’re uncertain whether they’re up for a commitment as big as taking care of a kitten or a puppy. The problem is, their sweet faces are too adorable to resist! How about shifting your focus on the benefits you’ll enjoy once your family starts raising children with pets around?
Your child asking for a pet is more than just wishing for a hot new toy. They see animals, big or small, as a potential best friend, a companion they can cuddle when you’re too busy doing chores. It also helps them have a positive emotional development as they grow up. Discover more of the reasons why it’s beneficial for children to grow up with pets below:
Pets Teach Kids Responsibility and Empathy
When taking care of an animal in the house, it is normal for them to become dependent on the human they trust the most. Usually that person would be your child. After spending time with each other, your child can’t help but predict the needs of their pets. They would even worry if they notice their rabbit, dog, or cat looks sad.
All these activities will slowly teach your kids the value and beauty of responsibility and empathy. For example, your child has been worrying about your golden retriever scratching nonstop for several days already. They will then start looking for options with you, such as browsing through websites like the Aristopet website for a remedy.
Pets Help Improve Language Skills Among Children
You might not believe it, but child development and relationships with animals are interconnected. So, if you want to enrich your kid’s language skills, having a pet for them to talk to all the time comfortably can help. Animals are so much more than a simple animated toy; they can even be emotional support for your child to rely on when growing up.
Pets Decrease the Risk of Asthma and Allergies
Some studies prove exposure to animals has decreased the chances of allergic rhinitis among 7 to 9-year olds and asthma among 12 to 13-year olds. Most children who have had pets growing up also had negative skin tests for outdoor (grass and ragweed) and indoor (dust and pet-mite) allergens.
All these reasons may help you to take the plunge into pet ownership. Whatever you decide, be a responsible pet owner and make sure the pet you choose fits your lifestyle.
Pets Encourage Your Child to Be More Active
Hiking with your adventurous cat or taking your dog for a walk helps encourage your kids to go outside and be more active. In this situation the world has now, children are forced to spend most of their time in online classes, making their physical activities more limited.
But when you allow your child to take care of a pet, they can enjoy all health-related benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle. Just by playing fetch with their dogs, children can get at least 5 hours of physical activity. That’s a big number, considering this remote set-up.
Pets Make Relationship Among Family Members Grow Stronger
Animals around your house help relationships among family members grow much stronger. As you spend more time with your pets, they tend to become the focus of all your activities, allowing you to have common things to talk about together.
For example, you can drive as a family to have your cat checked in a veterinary clinic. Or, your kids can share responsibilities with feeding, grooming, or playing with the dog. This leads to siblings going along, making them happier and comfortable. Pets can even distract your children from fighting or shouting at each other.
Pets Can Reduce Loneliness and Boredom
Most kids are often easily bored, which leads them to feel lonelier at the house. Pets are a great companion for kids of all ages. They can play together, snuggle up on the couch, or sleep beside each other. Besides, children often talk to their pets differently as they do with grown-ups.
With imagination as creative as children have, they imagine their cats or dogs talking back to them, making them less lonely, especially now that they don’t get to see other kids their age. At least, having an animal around the house allows them to have a reliable friend to hang out with.
Pets Increase Your Family’s Sense of Security
Pets, especially dogs, can help increase your family’s sense of security as they can easily scare off burglars or trespassers just as much as alarm systems. Animals like birds and cats are also sensitive to strange sounds, so they can alert you whenever there’s trouble around the area.
Takeaway
Apart from the treasured moments and memories, animals can give your kids, they can also help in improving their emotional development and physical health. If you’re still hesitant about getting a pet for your child, this can be your sign to adopt or go to the nearest pet store to grab your kid’s dream puppy or kitten.
This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas presented do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.
