After having children, many adults always think “for the good of children” and do not let their children keep pets, worrying that pets are not good for children.
But in fact, pets are not a disaster for children and will not bring any negative impact on children. Many celebrity babies can speak for this.
The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Pets may also decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their behaviors.
Pets have a lot of energy, so they can be a great way for kids to get physical activity! From crawling together to going for a walk or a swim, pets like dogs need to move around every day, and children can be a part of that.
Let’s figure out what are the benefits of keeping pets for children together.
Keeping a pet is good for children’s health. Yes, contrary to the stubborn ideas of many parents, keeping pets will not endanger children’s health, but will be beneficial to their health.
As long as pets are vaccinated with relevant seedlings according to regulations, pay attention to cleaning to keep pets clean, and children wash their hands after contact with pets, it will not affect health, and it may even be beneficial to health.
A study conducted by Swedish and American scientists found that children who stay with cats and dogs for a long time are less likely to suffer from allergies than children who do not keep pets. Among children who are allergic to cats, 80% have never kept cats at home.
Moreover, pets need exercise and games, especially dogs. When children accompany dogs to play outdoors, breathing fresh air and exercise will enhance their physical fitness.
When children ask to keep pets, most parents refuse. The main reason is that they are worried that keeping pets is unhygienic, destroys the family environment and affects children’s learning. In fact, as long as parents guide them correctly, keeping pets will not only not cause trouble, but will bring many benefits to children.
1. Cultivate a sense of responsibility
The reason why children like small animals is that small animals are weaker individuals than them, which naturally stimulates their desire to protect. For them, pets are not only partners, but also relatives.
Keeping pets takes time, whether it is eating, cleaning, walking, or training. If children are allowed to take care of pets, they can know that they should be responsible for pets and accompany them to grow up healthily until they die. If the children are still very young, parents must of course assist and slowly teach them how to take care of pets.
2. Increase self-confidence
If children can take care of pets meticulously, they will feel a sense of accomplishment and will be confident in doing other things. Of course, this is also inseparable from the encouragement and support of parents.
3. Increase outdoor exercise time
Especially for families with dogs, they need to take their dogs out to play and walk frequently. Children can also get exercise in the process, which is much better than being addicted to video games and TV. Moreover, when walking the dog outside, children can also meet many children with common interests and hobbies, which invisibly improves their social skills.
4. Relieve stress
Everyone has times when they feel depressed, and children are no exception. At this moment, the company of pets is very important. It can serve as a good confidant. Children feel calm by getting along with pets, thus relieving stress.
5. Learn to bear the consequences
After raising pets, children will know how to bear the consequences better. They must understand how to take care of dogs more scientifically, what can be eaten. What should never be eaten. If the owner does not take good care of the pet and is not careful, the pet may suffer from various diseases. When children understand that everything has consequences, they will think clearly before taking action and take everything seriously!
6. Bring happiness to children
Animals bring peace to children, and children are more relaxed when they are with animals. When they are sad, angry or depressed, they will also confide in their pet friends. Pets love their owners unconditionally, and they will listen patiently, so that children can get comfort from it.
7. Reduce allergies and asthma
Studies show that children who grow up with pets are less likely to suffer from allergies and asthma. Children who have been exposed to pet dander or other allergens before the age of 1 can help them build a stronger immune system. A study in the American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Allergy found that boys who had pets at home when they were young had a half lower rate of severe allergies when they grew up than other children.
8. Learn to give
It takes giving to keep a pet. When children feel tired and bored, they cannot put the pet away. They need to feed and bathe the pets every day, and take them out for activities and play. Children can learn the spirit of giving and perseverance.
Children also learn how to “nurture” when caring for a pet, which is the act of taking care of others. Through nurturing and helping to take care of their pet, they learn to form a trusting relationship, which is an important part of social-emotional development.
9. Learn to follow the rules
Scientific research has shown that keeping pets can help children learn to follow the rules. In the process of keeping pets, children will understand that there is a method to do things. If you have a pet dog, your child should learn how to train the dog and teach it to understand the owner’s commands.
Children also learn how to “nurture” when caring for a pet, which is the act of taking care of others. Through nurturing and helping to take care of their pet, they learn to form a trusting relationship, which is an important part of social-emotional development.
So, parents, if your family conditions allow, you can try to let your child have a pet, which is very helpful for their growth.
If you have any questions about raising a pet, please feel free to communicate.
