So your kids want pets? They are begging for a kitten or a rabbit, but you are not so sure, as it is a big commitment. Pets large and small love, teach and offer a special kind of companionship. And adding a furry or feathered friend to your house can be a great thing. Before you make the decision about bringing pets into the family, discover some reasons why having a pet is good for your kids’ health and overall development.
Including your kid in pet-related chores is a great way to impart the lesson of responsibility. Taking care of a pet is different than being responsible for washing dishes. By assigning age-appropriate tasks like feeding the cat or walking the dog, kids learn to take care of others and understand accountability.
Empathy, respect, compassion, and kindness are important emotional skills that are developed over time. When adults teach kids to approach pets with kindness and love, this easily translates into treating others the same way.
Besides being more active and getting outside more often when walking with a dog, some studies showed that children with pets have lower blood pressure, less risk of heart disease, lower cholesterol, and a decreased chance of developing allergies. Plus, several studies have shown that children who have a pet during the first year of life are less likely to develop asthma.
Research has shown that kids with pets have higher self-esteem. A family pet can comfort, give support, and listen to a child’s troubles when no one else is around. What is more, some studies show that a pet can even boost your kid’s academic skills!
Having a pet can bring parents and kids closer by taking care together of their four-legged family members. Even something as simple as telling a funny story about your rabbit can help strengthen the family bond.
