Don’t Kid Yourself – Pets Are Good For Children

As soon as your kids are old enough, they will ask one question: ‘can we get a pet?’ Of course, no self-respecting parent will agree to own a cat or a dog until they think it through. After all, pets aren’t just for Christmas as the saying goes. Still, even when they have time, lots of moms and dads decide against it because it isn’t healthy for the children. The truth is that owning a pet is very beneficial for kids of all ages, and these are the reasons why.

Lowers Risk Of Allergies

Although it isn’t proven, lots of studies show that allergies are lower for those with pets. The reason for this, according to the research, is that these people aren’t as sensitive to allergens. Because pets increase the number of allergens in the home, the body builds up a natural defense. Over the years, it gets stronger and stronger and evolves to cover a broad range of sensitivities. Logically, the sooner you introduce a child to a pet, the quicker they will develop resistance. This may be the key to avoiding nasty seasonal disorders such as hay fever.

Teaches Love

There is only so much a parent can do without turning for help. That’s why school teachers take over during the day, to teach them about academia and life outside of education. Apart from teaching staff, pets are also useful tools to help kids learn life lessons. The pooch may not sit them down and write on a whiteboard, yet they teach in another way. Quite simply, having a pet reinforces the family values that parents hold dear. It also encourages them to accept others into the fold even if they aren’t family members. For children of divorce, this may be an excellent way to fill a void.

Keeps Them Active

Okay, so all pets aren’t particularly active. Cats, for example, won’t chase a ball around and bring it back repeatedly. Dogs, however, will because they are active animals that love to get out of the house and go on walks. And, as long as you give them healthy dog treats this can happen two to three times a day. If you are wondering why this is good for kids, it’s because children love to tag along. As a result, they get out of the house on multiple occasions and exercise in the process. Sadly, this isn’t true of all kids.

Promotes Responsibility

You may look after the pooch, but the kids will pitch in. In fact, it’s imperative that you make them care for the dog. The chore can be as simple as taking it for a walk or putting out the food. However, no matter how simply it encourages children to be responsible. They may not realize it, but these acts force them to organize their lives and put the needs of the dog first.

In the future, this trait will come in handy when they enter the real world and gain their independence.