From companionship to reduced stress, the experience of pet ownership for a child is a gift that keeps on giving.
Studies consistently show that, when done with adult guidance, caring for a family pet enriches the lives of everyone in the household.
Here are several ways a pet can enhance children’s lives emotionally, socially, cognitively, and more.
- Responsibility
The daily care and maintenance of a pet, like a dog, is a surefire way to spark increased responsibility in children.
Tasks like feeding and watering, walking, training, and socializing a pet instill a sense of leadership and pride in the caretaker.
Establishing a routine for their pet may lead to improved responsibility and self-confidence when it comes to executing self-care duties as well.
- Comfort and reduced stress
There’s a reason that animals are frequently utilized as service or therapy tools. In addition to being highly intuitive and intelligent, canines, for example, provide a sense of calm and comfort to those around them.
Research shows that the simple act of petting a dog or taking them for a walk boosts serotonin levels.
Walking or running with your dog is also great exercise! In turn, exercise reduces stress by lowering levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and blood pressure.
Children dealing with a range of emotional or cognitive issues can find comfort in talking to an animal about their feelings, or from simply being in their soothing presence.
- Constant companionship
Pets love you no matter what. Their unconditional love, loyalty, and affection teach their caretakers to provide love in the same way.
Having a pet combats loneliness or feelings of isolation by providing consistent companionship and friendship.
Building a bond with a pet boosts self-esteem and strengthens empathy and compassion in their owners.
For children who are less likely to initiate social interaction, taking pets to the local dog park, on pet “playdates,” or to group training sessions can be an easy way to stretch their own social skills, too.
- Intellectual Development
Researching a pet’s species, including the history, behavioral traits, and other facts about their furry or feathered friend fosters opportunities to learn about the larger animal world as a whole.
Pet ownership also boosts kids’ brains by improving their working memory and building a connection to nature. When children read to their pets, it can also strengthen their literacy, confidence, and oral reading skills.
- Improved Health
Better heart health isn’t the only well-being benefit of pet ownership.
Living with a pet can build up a child’s immune system, as well as lowering the risk of certain food allergies, resulting in overall improved physical health.
If you’re on the fence about adding a pet to the mix, consider these many advantages, which, according to Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, can make for a valuable family addition.
“While you might see a pet as a lot of extra work, a child sees a pet as a potential best friend and family member.”
“While you might see a pet as a lot of extra work, a child sees a pet as a potential best friend and family member.”