Taking care of pets can be a lot of fun for any family who is ready to shoulder the responsibilities that come with them. It is often regarded as a rewarding experience especially for the younger members of the family. In fact, there is no better duo than kids and pets playing together and enjoying each other’s company.
Almost every child at some point in their life asks their parents for a puppy. Sometimes parents aren’t too keen on this idea because they don’t want to think about the extra chores and financial costs that come with owning a pet. However, this is actually an excellent opportunity to teach children valuable lessons they can take with them later on in life.
While you are still going back and forth with your decisions about getting your child a pet, here are six reasons why pets and kids are the perfect combination and how they can help each other live a healthier and happier life.
Teaches children responsibility
Looking after a pet isn’t like other household chores. Instead, it requires more special attention and care. So, if your kids grow up with an animal, they will have an opportunity to learn how to be responsible for another living creature.
In addition to walking, bathing, brushing, feeding and playing with your pet, you must also do regular wellness checkups to maintain their health. Sometimes such veterinary visits can be costly, so you can get a pet insurance plan to cover all your pet’s needs. You can search for the right insurance provider from professional and independent market places such as Pawlicy Advisor where you can choose the insurance plan that works best for your furry friend.
This way your kids will also have a chance to learn how to nurture a pet and practice being caregivers.
Improves overall health
Living with a pet provides certain health benefits. For example, if you have a dog, you must take them out for bathroom breaks at least two times a day. This can be an excellent physical activity for children because they can use the time outdoors to play and bond with their furry friend.
Also, when children grow up with pets, they are less likely to develop allergies. This means that they will have a stronger immune system that will keep them healthy as they get older. For example, it is often believed that pets cause severe allergies in children. However, contrary to this common belief, owning a pet can actually help manage allergy symptoms. Lastly, owning a pet can also reduce high blood pressure and improve heart health.
Learn kindness and compassion
Another benefit of having a pet is that it teaches children empathy. They learn how to treat animals with care and respect their need for space while being compassionate. In fact, kids whose parents teach, especially at a young age, to approach animals with kindness, will most likely end up being respectful towards people later on in life.
So, when your dog gets sick, you can ask your kids to take care of them and provide their furry friend with love and affection. This way they will be able to practice being selfless and caring for another living creature. In return, pets will help foster personal growth by teaching kids how to respect life and be thoughtful when it is necessary.
Better social skills
When kids are younger, they are usually shy and have trouble making friends. So, one way of improving their social skills is by getting a pet. This will give them gentle encouragement and also improve their self-esteem.
In some way, owning a pet forces people to get out of the house and potentially interact with others. For example, when you and your kids are taking your daily strolls with your furry companion, you are most likely going to meet another dog along the way. This can instantly spark up a new conversation with its owner which may turn into a new friendship.
Such encounters are especially in handy for children who suffer from social anxiety, so this can be a reminder that people can actually be friendly.
Reduces stress and anxiety
Animals are also regarded as a great source of comfort. They provide their owners with emotional support and reduce their stress levels and anxiety symptoms whenever it is necessary.
In reality, pets improve children’s mental health by increasing the production of endorphins as soon as they come into contact with each other. So, if your kid has had a falling out with a friend at school or is feeling sick, a pet can instantly improve their mood. This can further have a significantly positive impact on your kid’s mental health over time.
Also, feelings of isolation can easily cause increased stress levels. So, by giving your kids a pet, you will instantly reduce loneliness or any lack of social support from people.
Builds family bonds
With the busy lives parents live, it is often difficult for them to find the time to be more with their family. So, one way of solving this issue and bringing everyone closer is by getting a pet.
This way you will all be involved in doing things together and sharing the responsibilities of looking after a pet. Taking walks, bathing, grooming and playing together are some activities that often require both teamwork and cooperation.
The truth is spending more quality time like this can slow down the hectic pace of life and allow family members to do something that is enjoyable for everyone. Just imagine those family vacations with your furry companion doing silly things and the rest of you laughing about it and bonding over it.
While unconditional love may be rare in real life, it seems surprisingly common among pets. In general, animals play a major role in people’s everyday lives especially in children who often struggle with social anxiety and lack of having the sense of being responsible. So, if you want to teach your children how to be caring and respectful to both animals and people, you should definitely get them a pet. Not only will they learn important life lessons, but owning a pet can instantly bring more joy into the household and bring everyone closer.