Debating if having a pet is right for your child?
Here are just a handful of the endless benefits of owning a pet for children:
Here are just a handful of the endless benefits of owning a pet for children:
- Empathy & Compassion: Children who own pets quickly learn to recognize pain in others and feel concern for their suffering.
- Better mood: The simple companionship, or the act of petting, has been shown to provide a sense of calm. The neurochemical benefits of animal companionship are equivalent to human companionship… aka they make you feel as happy as you would hanging out with your best human friend!
- Friendship: Having a pet could help your child be a better friend, as it provides a chance for them to practice their friend-skill. Some studies show that children who own pets are less shy and more social than those without a furry (or scaled or feathered) pal.
- Responsibility: Pet ownership is one of the first big responsibilities a child can have. Taking care of another being can increase responsibility across the board and even provide a sense of pride.
- Learning: Pets can help spark curiosity and imagination in children. Interaction with animals has also shown to help children with learning, attention, or developmental disorders remain attentive and have improved interactions with others.