Given the sheer number of YouTube videos featuring animals and kids together, it’s no secret that the two are a perfect pair. If you’re on the fence about getting a pet, we have a great piece today for you with all the reasons why you should have animals around your kid. Huge thanks to Diana from Tinpaw for sharing this! Read on to see what she says about the bond between animals and children.
Why You Should Have Animals Around Your Kid
Having animals around your kid can provide an excellent opportunity for learning and entertainment. Most children are naturally drawn to animals; thus interacting with animals can be a really fun activity where learning will come as a side effect. Your kids will become more actively engaged, and learning becomes easier since they are interested and are having fun. In this article, we are going to give you 10 reasons why it is important to have animals around your kid;
1. Kids Learn Responsibility
One of the main reasons why it is important to have animals around your kid is that they can help teach your kid responsibility. Having your child feed the animals, refill the pet water foundation, assist in the training efforts, or walk the dog will show him/her that taking care of the animal is a huge responsibility and something that should not be taken lightly. This gives your kid a glimpse of obligation and accountability.
2. Boosts Self-Esteem
Research studies show that children who have grown around animals have higher self-esteem. This is probably because they have an animal to love, who loves them back, and a good friend to play with and talk to when no one is around. When your kid starts going to school, the pet can even help boost his/her academic skills. Research studies have revealed that reading out loud to a loyal and nonjudgmental companion, (like a cat or a dog) can turn the reluctant readers into self-confident readers.
3. Strengthen Family Bonds
One of the main benefits of having animals around your kid is they can help families grow closer and stronger. A family pet is usually the focus of activities which brings the family together. Family members can come together to feed the pet, clean the pet feeder, share in grooming, among such other activities. Engaging in activities like these together helps bring families closer, and strengthens the family bonds.
4. Increase Empathy and Compassion
Children who are raised around pets/animals are much more likely to develop positive traits like empathy and compassion because they learn to care and love something which needs positive attention. Also, animals are compassionate and empathetic, and through their very own love and caring, they can help teach your kid(s) these lessons in their own way.
5. Comfort During Hard Times
Because of the strong and extraordinary bond which usually develops between an animal or pet and a child, animals can at times serve as great comforters during hard times. Since the relationship is nonjudgmental from the animal’s/pet’s perspective, a hurting kid may be more willing to trust their pet than a person. Moreover, the pet is there to offer cuddles and keep your kid(s) company when they feel alone. Cuddling and stroking a pet has also been shown to help relieve stress.
6. Provides a More Active Lifestyle
Caring for animals encourages an active lifestyle for your kid. As a matter of fact, a recent research study revealed that kids who live around animals, generally exercise 11 minutes a day more than their peers who don’t own pet(s). Moreover, pets help the children get away from the sedentary indoor activities by encouraging them to move around, especially in this digital age where most kids are glued to the TV or/and smartphones screens.
7. Bring Joy
This is probably one of the top benefits of having animals around your kid. Interaction and playing with animals has actually been proven to help raise the levels of dopamine and serotonin, which are chemical building blocks of happy or positive feelings.
8. Lessens the Risk of Allergies
Having animals around your kids from an early age helps reduce the risk of developing allergies. As a matter of fact, research studies have revealed that the bacteria that’s carried by pets might actually help exercise a kid’s immune system, and helps reduce the risk of developing allergies later in life.
9. Animals Change Lives
Animals may not have a long lifespan as we do, but they bring a very positive influence in a kid’s life. This experience is essential for young kids as they’ll grow up loving, respecting and caring for animals, and will be much better humans for it.
10. Good For Kids With Autism
Animals can be of great help for kids with autism or those with learning disabilities. Autistic kids usually rely on the nonverbal cues in order to communicate, same as pets/animals do. Learning to 1st connect with a dog or cat will help an autistic kid in their interaction with other people.
Growing up around animals is one of the best gifts a parent can give their kid. Having animals around your kids will not only help enrich their lives but is also good for social and emotional development. As you can see above, animals offer numerous benefits which range from teaching responsibility to developing compassion and empathy. They also provide a positive model for better future human relationships.
About the Author: My name is Diana Hutchinson. I am the founder of Tinpaw I have more than 10-years’ experience in nurturing and caring cats. I love them. Since long ago they became important members of my family.
Our family has always had cats and dogs, I can’t imagine life without them. They are just part of the family.
These are great tips, wish the allergy point of view applied to everyone, for us we gave away our puppy because one my baby’s allergies at a young age. Animals are the best for so many reasons..these just make me smile.
I agree! Growing up, we had several dogs in our family. And now with my boys, they have a dog as well. It has definitely been a huge help on teaching them how to be responsible for something else. And, it also helps with kids on the Autism spectrum.
I agree with all of the above reasons! We have two cats and helping take care of them teaches my boys to be responsible because the cats rely on them for food and water!
My kids love animals! I find they are super gentle with them and caring.
We have always had dogs and I agree, pets and kids go great together as long as they are BOTH trained properly!
These are all great reasons to have pets. Unfortunately I am allergic to dogs and cats so my son has never had any pets.
We’ve been debating another pet of some type. Such a commitment, I want to make sure they’re up for it.
I can’t imagine life without a pet at my side. I think a companion for kids is a great idea!
I think animals are perfect for kids! Teaches them responsibility and gives them a great friend!
Besides which, dogs and cats look SO cute around kids!
Yes, animals are great companion!