Whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit or reptile, pets can have real, positive effects on your child’s emotional and physical development. If your family has the resources to care for a pet and no one in the house is allergic, you may want to consider finding a pet for your child.
Benefits of having a pet
If your child wants a pet, it can benefit their development in several ways. Children often experience heightened feelings and learn new skills, including:
- Mood. Animals can improve children’s moods because they feel empowered to care for other living things.
- Social abilities. By walking the dog or holding a kitten, your child may feel more comfortable interacting with other children or neighbors.
- Responsibility. Children learn problem solving and planning when they are responsible for pets.
- Exercise. Dogs need walks and can help your child stay active.
- Health. Babies who have early contact with cats or dogs are 30% less likely to suffer from colds, ear infections and coughs than children who are not exposed to animals. And a study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who had a dog in their first year of life were 13 percent less likely to develop asthma than children from dog-free households.
Best age to adopt a pet
There are many opinions on when your child is ready to have a pet. But the right time for a pet is when your child shows signs of empathy and understands how to treat animals. For children under 5 years old, always supervise their interactions with pets.
If the main goal of getting a pet is to teach your child more responsibility, ask yourself these questions:
- Does your child want a pet?
- Is your child calm and patient with animals?
- Does your child have time to spend with the animal?
- Do you have time to watch your child and the animal?
- How responsible is your child?
In general, a child who is 5 or 6 years old He can be expected to help with some simple tasks, like keeping the dog on a leash, handing out treats after walks, or filling the water bowl.
Choosing a pet
Are some animals better than others for children? The answer is no, provided the animal or breed is suitable for children. Some children beg for a dog, others long for a rabbit or hamster, and still others find fish to be the perfect calming companion.
As the holidays approach, parents may be tempted to give pets as gifts. This can be fun, as long as you are sure your child wants this type of pet. If this has never been discussed, you may not know if your child has any concerns or fears about owning a pet.
You also need to make sure the whole family wants the pet. If not, you should talk about it beforehand and understand why. Is there a fear or does someone not want to participate in the animal’s care? There may be points to negotiate, but we must first hear from everyone.
Finally, think carefully about whether the pet you are purchasing will fit into your family’s lifestyle and be aware that children may lose interest in the pet. Its maintenance then becomes your sole responsibility. After all, your pet is now part of your family and deserves love and care for the rest of its life.
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