Is Getting a Pet a Good Idea For Kids?

When you’ve got kids and an already busy family life, the idea of throwing something else into the mix can feel a little overwhelming. But there is plenty of research to support that having a pet in the home can be beneficial for all members of the family, but in particular for the children. The idea of getting a pet can be exciting for children and they can really get a little caught up with the idea of it all. But parents need to decide if the experience is going to be a positive one with the pet or not, but equally making sure that the pet is well cared for too.

Have your kids ever asked you for a pet before? They will be thinking of all of the fun sides of a pet; all of the toys and playing around with a puppy, for example. But as any former pet owner will know, there is a lot of patience and time that is needed with pets, as well as money and energy (those dog’s aren’t going to walk themselves or cages get cleaned out themselves). Having said that, there are many benefits to welcoming a pet into your home. Here are just a few of those benefits that you may not have thought about before.

image

• There is plenty of evidence based research that shows that when children grow up in a home with a pet, have much less risk of developing things like asthma or allergies. That can help our children in many ways, as they are exposed to certain allergens (like pet hair) and their body will learn to cope with it. While it won’t be the sole reason for going out to look at puppies for sale, it can make a difference to your decision.

• Dogs are fun and playful and the playful nature of them can work wonders on our children. Dogs can act as a therapy dog for children with autism, for instance, as well as helping children with anxiety. As an added health benefit, playing with dogs can reduce levels of stress and blood pressure. So it can be a great thing for all members of the family.

• If you have pets, especially ones that like to be outdoors themselves, then it is going to encourage you all as a family to be outdoors more. You will need to walk a dog, chase the rabbit in the run, or play with a kitten, just as examples. So it can be a good way for children to get out and play a little more, get fresh air, and enjoy all that nature has to offer. And in such a tech-world that we live in, that can only be a good thing.

• Because of a lot of the reasons listed above (such as reduced stress, anxiety, and being more physically active), it will come as no surprise that pet owners are much more likely to require fewer visits to the doctor. It isn’t a hard and fast rule, but there are examples to show that this is the case. So it can be a big selling point for families looking to get a dog or another pet.

• You as the parent may take on the lion’s share of the care of the pet, depending on the age of your children. But it makes sense for your children to have some role and responsibility to look after your pet. This encourages them to learn what responsibility is, as well as develop a nurturing and caring side for their pet. Knowing that their pet won’t get fed unless they feed them, can have a big impact on your kids as they learn all that a pet needs.

• When there is a pet in the home, regardless of who else is there (like parents or siblings), a child can form a bond with the pet and feel less lonely. Having a pet in the home can be a comforting thing, for sure. Children with pets have also shown that that have an improved impulse control, as well as an improved self-esteem, and social skills.

So it seems like getting a pet for your kids really is a no-brainer in a lot of ways. The pet you choose, if you choose to do so, can be one that you wall want to get; it will be different for each family. But they have a lot of love to give, and they can help your children in many ways as well.