Everyone knows that kids simply adore pets. However, owning a pet isn’t only going to help your kid have more fun. Getting your kid a pet can have all kinds of positive influence on them and that’s why you’d want to give this idea some thought. And if you’re not convinced yet, here’s our list of five reasons to get your kid a pet.
Pets help kids learn
We often believe that one of the best ways to encourage our kids to learn is to sign them up for all kinds of classes. Still, studies have shown that kids feel the most comfortable when learning next to their furry friend. This is the case because a presence of a non-judgmental pal with paws creates the perfect ambiance for learning. Just think of it this way – when someone says “pick up that book and start reading”, that doesn’t really sound like a lucrative offer to a kid. But when they’re curling up with a cat or dog, learning sounds like a much better option to them.
Pets keep kids healthy
Another important reason why you should think about getting your kid a furry friend is that pets keep kids healthy. Studies have shown that kids who grow up with a pet are less likely to develop pet allergies at later stages of their life. Not only this, but with kids spending a lot of time in front of the screen, it’s nice to have someone who’ll motivate them to stay active. For example, if you get your kid a dog, you can make it their choir to take the dog for a walk during their free time.
Pets provide comfort
If you want your kid to become better at making friends, getting them a pet might be a smart move. According to studies, little pet owners tend to be more comfortable talking to other kids than those who don’t own any pets. This is due to the fact that they already have a friend they can always turn to. In fact, 40% of the kids involved in a study said that they always turn to their pet first, no matter if they’re feeling happy, angry or sad. Therefore, getting your kid a pet is a great way to make them less anxious and withdrawn.
Pets encourage nurturing
It’s very important for your kid to learn how to take care of others. And being nurtured doesn’t mean we know how to nurture. This is another reason why you’ll want to get a pet for your kid. Having a pet means they’ll have to feed them and groom them, which is a great nurturing exercise for them. Of course, if your kid is overscheduled, they don’t have to take care of the pet on their own. More and more people decide to use dog walking services, which means you should be able to hire someone who’ll walk your kid’s dog for them when they can’t make it.
Pets build family bonds
One of the biggest advantages that having a pet brings is often unexpected. Getting your kid a pet can have a positive effect on your entire family. In a recent study, most of the subjects said they consider their pet a family member. In fact, a pet often becomes the focus of many family activities. Each member of the family feeds them, grooms them and play with them, which is a great chance for kids to bond with other family members. And in this era of overscheduled kids, putting some extra effort into getting them involved in family activities is extremely important.
Have these five reasons in mind and chances are you’ll be more than ready to get your kid a pet. Of course, owning a pet and teaching your kid how to take care of them will take a lot of time and effort but with unconditional love a pet gives, it’ll definitely be worth it.