How Pet Ownership Can Positively Influence Your Children

Written by Karli Steenkamp 

From cold creepy crawlies to warm and fuzzy little (or huge) pets can make children super excited and parents running for the hills when kids want to deviate from the normal cat or dog. We all remember our first pet and the one we had an extra special bond with.

A pet is a huge responsibility and can’t be thrown in a cupboard with toys when kids are tired of playing with it. However there are so many positive influences a pet has on a child. It is a worthwhile commitment you as a family need to make, doesn’t matter what type of pet you have. The impact it have on children, makes it all worth it. 

“Animals are such agreeable friends. They ask no questions, they pass no criticism.”  

Dogs are a man’s best friend as the saying says and dogs can be amazing with children, but any animal can be a companion for a child. A friend that he or she can love; something that your child needs to take care of. A pet can cause for endless fun when children play with them. If you want a companion for your child a dog is always a good choice and will be a friend for life. Fish, snakes or spiders need less attention and won’t necessarily keep a child company. 

Companion animals, such as dogs can actually have a calming influence on kids. Dogs and cats show affection to their humans that care for them and that can build a child’s self-worth, self-esteem and social skills. They also learn empathy and compassion for others. Animals show appreciation to the owners that are looking after them and they become very loyal members of the family. 

According to The Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne people with animals have less risk of cardiovascular problems than pet-free people.   

Unfortunately having pets have their ups and downs. Pets don’t have a long life-span and losing a pet can be hard for a child, however it is a way of teaching your child about life and death. It is not an easy thing to get through however it teaches them coping skills to deal with loss.   

Whichever pet a child has, it teaches them responsibility. It is an enormous task to care for them as you can’t have a day off. Pets need food daily, let your child help you feed the pets. It shows them how to care for animals and when they can do it themselves it teaches them independence. They need to experience the good and the bad about having pets. Caring for them involves giving certain pets a bath. Cleaning up after the pets by washing tanks or cages or picking up the poop is just as important. To know that they are responsible for another life will give them great significance.  

Pets can help kids be active because they will need exercise. If your child takes the dog for a walk both gets exercise at the same time. It can be something you as a family do together.  

It is important to research what type of pet you want, what your family circumstances are. For instance if you live in a house or flat you will need a pet that will function well in those settings. Some pets need more attention than others. These are things you will have to consider. Some dogs and cats are great with young kids and others not so great. Make sure you research the type of cat or dog and how they are around children.  

Pets are just as dependant on us as we are on them, although for different reasons. The love a child will have for a pet is priceless and teaches them lessons that will set them up for life. Guide them through how to look after their pets till they are independent and can look after the pets themselves. Pets will have a positive impact on everyone in the household’s life and that makes a pet part of the family.  

Reference: 

Healthy Pets with Dr. Karen Becker 

Psychology today – Hal Herzog (Ph.D.) 

One green planet 

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne