5 Benefits for children if they have pets at home

For some people, the mere thought of having a pet makes you first break out in a cold sweat. Besides having to take care of all the daily needs of every human occupant of the house, we also have to feed and clean the animal enclosures.

But it turns out that the presence of a pet in your family has a myriad of benefits for children's growth and development. If you are still reluctant to take the plunge, the facts below may convince you.

What are the benefits of having a pet at home?

1. Helping children learn

A number of child educators have known for a long time that owning a pet dog can greatly assist the development of learning from children with special needs. Now they discovered that all children could benefit from the presence of a furry, four-legged friend. In one study, children were asked to read aloud in front of peers, adults, and dogs. Researchers monitored their stress levels, and found that children were most relaxed around animals, not humans.

2. Maintain children's health

According to a study by Dennis Ownby, MD, a pediatrician and head of the allergy and immunology department at the Medical College of Georgia, owning a pet actually reduces a child's risk of developing certain allergies. His research tracked 474 babies from birth to around age 7. She found that children who were always around two or more dogs or cats as babies were less likely to develop common allergies due to early exposure to certain bacteria.

Children who have pets at home are also less likely to show positive skin test results for indoor allergens such as pet dander and dust mites - as well as for outdoor allergens such as flower pollen and plant sap.

No one is sure why this happened, but Dr. Ownby theorizes that when a child plays with a dog or cat, the animal usually licks it, as a sign of love. According to him, licking will transfer bacteria that live in the animal's mouth, and exposure to that bacteria can change the way a child's immune system responds to other allergens.

And several studies have shown that pet owners are less likely to get sick. A 2012 study reported that children who live with a pet dog generally appear healthy during their first year of life, with a lower frequency of respiratory problems (eg, asthma) and ear infections than children who do not have pets.

Another benefit of keeping animals at home? Bathing, playing, or petting a furry creature can lower stress levels - and this applies not only to mom and dad, but to children as well.

3. Teach children a sense of responsibility, affection, and care

Even the youngest toddlers can learn a little bit about responsibility by having pets in the house. Of course you will do most of the grooming chores for Sweetie, but your child will absorb a lot of knowledge from the behaviors you model indirectly, such as the importance of being kind and gentle. He can even reach out his little hand to help you with easier tasks, such as pouring food onto a plate.

By being directly involved in taking care of their pets, children will realize that pets, just like humans - need food, shelter, exercise, and love. This then teaches him valuable lessons about empathy and compassion.

What's more, "Keeping pets is especially important for boys because caring for animals is not seen as 'feminine' things like cooking, playing house games, or playing with dolls," says Gail F. Melson, PhD., professor of child development studies at Purdue University, quoted from Parents. When it came to pet grooming, the involvement of both sexes was reported to be equally large.

That's because empathy and compassion aren't qualities that pop up into adulthood when we need them. And you didn't learn to be caring just because you were treated that way as a child. We need a means to hone this trait from a young age.

4. Provides a sense of comfort and encourages children's self-confidence

There is research that shows that children who have pets in the house have higher self-esteem. Maybe because they have a four-legged (or two-legged) creature to love and who love them back the way they are, as well as a non-judgmental confidant and a friend to play with when no one else is around.

Then, when your child starts school, the pet provides the child with an interesting topic to talk about and share common interests with other children.

5. Strengthen family ties

Pet grooming is often the main star of family activities. Everyone took the dogs for evening walks, or washed and fed them shoulder to shoulder. Sometimes, a family can all play with beloved Meow. Spending time together like this helps families grow stronger and closer, as well as giving them time to relax for a while in the midst of time-pressed daily life.

If you are convinced enough of the above five reasons and are considering getting a pet, remember that it is always better to adopt than to buy.

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