The Advantages of Growing Up with Pets

Most Australian households include at least one pet. Pets are family members and most of us have grown up with them. But many are undecided about raising their children with pets. Some parents might consider caring for a pet with a baby in the house is too much of an effort, too expensive, or too risky. However, experts across different fields consider pets as valuable additions to children’s growing years.

Generally, kids with pets are happier and healthier. Here’s why:

1. Kids with pets are more active – With pets around, exercise becomes playtime. Kids will spend hours of playing, chasing, and tumbling with their pets. No need to beg your kids to go outside or pry them from the couch and their gadgets.
2. Kids with pets are more emphatic – Kids will relate to their pets as their equals. They will care for them and will try to keep them happy and comfortable. Teaching kids about feelings and behaviours become easier with pets.
3. Pets help kids learn to be patient – Patience and understanding are hard lessons to instil on young kids. As animals are unique, has free will, quirks, and character, kids learn to wait, understand, and be more accepting. They also learn and experience unconditional love early on.
4. Kids with pets are more confident – Pets help kids build confidence. The interaction between a child and his/her pet and the pets’ unconditional acceptance and love help overcome the child’s shyness and inhibitions.
5. Pets help kids learn the concept of responsibility – With pets, children learn an important life truth early on – responsibility. They learn that foregoing of responsibility comes with a consequence; fail to feed the dog, it gets hungry, forget to open the door to the litter room, the cat will make a mess.
6. Pets are neutral equalisers amongst siblings – Pets help siblings bond, provide shared responsibilities, activities, and love, and common ground. A pet is a common and neutral playmate with whom kids will learn to share and enjoy with the rest of the family.

Choosing the Ideal Pets for Children

Choosing the right pet for your kids needs a lot of careful considerations.

• Health issues – Before getting a pet, make sure to clear your family of any allergies and other health issues that could pose a problem when acquiring pets. Consult with your doctor for checks and clearance on getting a pet. If you have a child with mobility limitations, you may want to skip the large and rambunctious dogs and opt for cats, fish, or birds.
• Character and temperament of the child – Pick a pet that will match the personality of your child. A lazy cat might frustrate an outdoorsy kid but will delight a reader. Just as a lively dog will thrill a playful child. How much of the pet care can your child handle? You may want to start with easy to care pets like fishes, turtles, or birds.
• Your home – Some pets require a lot of room to run and roam. They need space to exercise, explore, and claim as their territory. Fishes, birds, cats, and smaller dogs are great for smaller homes and apartments. Pet-proof your home to ensure the safety of your pets.
• Degree of direct supervision – Is there an adult present at home at all times? Are you going to help your kids with the care of the pet? Caring for pets should not be a chore, for you or your child. Only get a pet whose care you can manage. Avoid large predators like aggressive dogs, reptiles, and or rodents as they may pose risks to small children.

Getting a family pet is a lifetime commitment. Getting another creature to love and care for might add strain to your home and budget. But the returns of owning a pet are astounding. You are giving your child a wonderful growing up years, marvellous childhood memories, and his or her first best friend. And then, you also get to save and provide care and love to an animal. In return, you and your family will have the complete devotion, loyalty, and companionship of an incredible creature. It’s a win-win deal!