Americans do love their pets. In 2020, US citizens spent nearly $100 billion on their pets. That includes money spent on food, medical care, supplies, and more. And, it’s not just spending money. People in the US also spend a lot of time taking care of their pets. Recent research showed that pet owners in the US spend 30 minutes per day taking care of their pets. So, why do people love their pets so much? There are many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that pets can provide companionship. They can also help relieve stress and anxiety. Pets can also be great for kids. They can teach children responsibility and help them to develop a sense of empathy. Here are 10 reasons for kids to have pet:
The related articles in the blog are listed here:
- 7 Best Suitable Pets for Kids
- How Much Time a Pet Can be Alone?
- Things to Consider before your Family First Pet
- Top 10 Best Dog Breeds for Toddlers
- What Is the top 5 Safe Family Dog?
Table of Contents
1. Pet Will Teach Kids Responsibility
Owning a pet is a big responsibility, even when you’re an adult. Looking after a dog or a car is a full-time job when you’re a kid. Having a pet is such a great way to teach kids about responsibility.
Your child will need to learn how to take care of their pet, including feeding them, walking them, and cleaning up after them. You can help by giving your child daily and weekly tasks and supervising them when they’re taking care of their pet. As your child gets older, they’ll be able to take on more and more responsibility for their pet.
2. Kids Will Get More Exercise Daily with Pet
Another great reason for kids to have a pet is to encourage them to get more exercise. Walking the dog is a great way to get some fresh air and to get the blood flowing. And, if your child has an active pet like a dog, they’ll need to play with them every day. That means running around in the backyard or going to the park for a game of fetch.
Exercise is important for kids of all ages. It helps improve their physical health, and it can also boost their mental health. So, if your child gets more exercise because they have a pet, that’s a win-win!
3. Pet Will Help Kids Make Friends
If your child is shy or struggles to make friends, having a pet could be the perfect solution. Pets are great ice-breakers, and they can help your child to feel more confident when they’re around other people.
For example, if your child takes their dog for a walk in the park, they’re likely to have a conversation with another dog owner. And, if they go to the pet store, they might meet someone who has the same pet like them.
Having a pet can also help your child to make friends at school. If they see another kid with a pet, they’ll have something in common to talk about.
4. Pets Make Children More Empathetic
Pets can also help children to develop empathy. For example, when children see their pet getting hurt or feeling sad, it can help them understand how another person might feel in the same situation.
When their dog is sick, your child will need to take care of them and give them the medicine. And when the family cat is sad, your child might try to cheer them up with a toy or some food. These are all great examples of how pets can help children develop empathy.
5. Having Pet Will Increase Family Bonding Time
Another reason for kids to have pet is increasing family bonding time. For example, if you have a dog, everyone in the family can go for walks together. And, if you have a cat, everyone can spend time playing with them or just watching them sleep.
Pets can be a great topic of conversation at the dinner table. You can ask your kids about their day and what they did with their pets. That is a great way to encourage communication and to get everyone in the family involved.
6. Pet Create Conscientious of Kids
A study from 2003 looked at more than 500 people from late primary age to post-high school to examine human-animal interactions. They discovered that people who have pets are actually a bigger benefit to their community than others.
Megan Mueller, the researcher that performed the study, discovered that people who have a great attachment to their pers are more likely to:
- Help their neighbors
- Assist their family members
- Take on leadership roles
Mueller also found that people who have pets are more likely to vote, recycle, and even participate in environmentally friendly activities.
7. Pet Can Help Your Child With Learning
Some research has shown that children who have pets can actually do better in school. One study, for instance, showed that kids who had a pet in their classroom had higher reading scores than those who didn’t.
Another study showed that kids who read to their pets had better comprehension skills than those who didn’t. It is believed that this is because the kids feel more comfortable reading aloud to their pets, and they’re not worried about making mistakes.
8. Pet Can Help Your Child Reduced Loneliness and Lower Blood Pressure
In cross-examination of nearly 70 studies on human-animal interactions, it was shown that people who had pets had lower blood pressure and were less likely to be lonely. In addition, the examination found that those who had pets were more likely to live longer and have fewer health problems.
9. Pet Will Teach a Child About the Circle of Life
One of the best reasons for kids to have pet is that it will teach your child about the circle of life. When a pet dies, it can be a very difficult time for a child. But, it is also a great opportunity to teach them about death and how to deal with loss.
That is an important lesson for children to learn, and it is something that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
10. Pet Can Reduce Children’s Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Finally, let’s talk about how pets will make you happy. Dogs, cats, and even gunnie pigs can also help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. In a study from 2012, it was shown that people who had dogs were less likely to suffer from depression than those who didn’t have pets.
Another study showed that people who had pets had lower cortisol levels, which is a stress hormone. So, if you’re looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety, getting a pet might be the best solution.
Closing Thoughts
So, there are the 10 great reasons for kids to have pets. From teaching responsibility to reducing stress, there are many benefits that come from kids having a pet. So, if you’re considering getting a pet for your child, keep these benefits in mind. It might just be the best decision you ever make.
About Me
Hi, there. I am Lin. Together with my husband and two kids, we live in the beautiful Netherlands in Europe. I am dedicated to self-development, creating quality time for the whole family, and fully supporting kids with their potentials with all I have learned from engineering, MBA, and 10+ years of working experience in the energy sector.
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