Most kids love animals, and at some point, they start begging their parents to get them a dog, a cat, or another kind of animal they are interested in. Many parents brush off these requests, but they are actually doing their children a disservice by not carefully thinking over the benefits that pet ownership has on kids. There are five reasons why all children should have pets:
It teaches them responsibility
Taking care of a pet is a big responsibility, and it teaches your child important skills. By actively participating in pet care, kids learn how to listen to their pets and prioritize the needs of others. Depending on how old your child is, they can be responsible for animal training, feeding, exercising, and so on.
They learn about discipline
Owning a pet is a lot of work, and it isn’t always fun. By being active participants in the care of an animal, kids learn about discipline. From the frustrations of dog training to cleaning up messes from cats, birds, and so on, kids learn about commitment and the importance of handling every area of pet care.
Why All Children Should Have Pets
It gets them to exercise
Dogs need to be exercised and played with. Kids are more likely to get outside and get active when they have a dog because exercise is more fun when you have an enthusiastic companion. This activity helps develop strong muscles. Together, families are also more likely to spend time outside if they have a dog.
Pet ownership relieves stress
It has been shown that having pets reduces stress. Dogs in particular are very calming, and cats can also reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and even severe depression. Animals represent stability and offer unconditional love even when other friends and family are not around.
Kids with pets have fewer allergies
It has been scientifically shown that kids who grow up with animals are less likely to have allergies, asthma, or other breathing issues. This is especially true when a child is first developing as the exposure to the pet dander from cats or dogs strengthens their immune system.
