7 benefits of having a pet with children at home
A pet at home can be an excellent learning for a child if we teach him to take care of it responsibly.
In general, all children dream of having a pet: they prefer the cat and the dog , but they settle for turtles, hamsters or even fish . Parents sometimes think about the discomfort of being responsible for another living thing in the house , but really, having pets when children are young has multiple benefits and advantages.
Index
1. LESS RESPIRATORY DISEASES
It has been shown that little ones who grow up with pets have much less chance of developing common allergies , rhinitis and asthma , since, being exposed from a young age to the microbes carried by dogs, modulates the immune response against the asthma pathogen RSV.
2. LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE
According to studies carried out at the University of Maryland, the presence of companion animals is accompanied by a significant decrease in blood pressure , both in adults and in children. Specifically, it affects significantly lower systolic (that generated when the heart contracts) and diastolic (when it relaxes) blood pressure.
3. TOOLS TO PROMOTE LEARNING
Having pets at home can be the perfect tool to motivate the child to practice reading, for example. Sometimes the little ones feel pressured by parents and are even inhibited from practicing reading aloud. With a pet, he can be encouraged to “read to the dog,” for example. In addition, physical contact will allow you to open up to tactile experiences, giving you confidence in yourself and in relationships with your environment.
4. FIRST RESPONSIBILITIES
Having a pet is not just having a playmate: it is important to teach children to take responsibility for the care of the dog and the cat, feeding and cleaning the animal . The child will learn not to disturb the pet while it eats or sleeps, to clean the food box or plate and to treat it gently. This helps your child begin to understand the needs of others .
If the idea is instilled in him that the dog “is his”, it will promote the integration of first responsibilities towards living beings and in daily chores. In addition, some routines are established that are great for the child: having to take the animal out three times at certain times creates an important stability in their daily routine.
5. MANAGING EMOTIONS
Children with pets generally demonstrate greater impulse control, as well as marked improvement in skills with other children. In addition, children’s self – esteem increases thanks to the unconditional love of a dog or a cat.
6. FAMILY COHESION
Having a pet helps to have a much stronger family bond. Delegating tasks to each person in the house or doing things together (taking the pet out, cleaning it …) encourages teamwork and provides many topics for conversation.
7. GOODBYE TO LONELINESS
Children often feel lonely, especially if they do not have siblings. Having a pet in these cases helps in times of sadness. On the other hand, petting an animal significantly reduces stress and anxiety . Interacting with another living being will also help you assimilate the rules of non-verbal communication and develop the capacity for intuition.
It is clear that living with pets can contribute very positive elements in relation to the psychological development and personality of the child. Therefore, living with a pet from an early age can be a good school for your child to integrate values such as sharing, caring and responsibility in a very natural way.
From PregDream we encourage you to have a dog or cat: your life will change radically and for the better. But yes, consider adopting before buying: there are many dogs that are waiting for a second chance and you can give it to them.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.