6 great reasons to get a family pet.
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Are your children begging you to get a pet? Your first instinct may be to turn down this idea, citing that pets are too much work or too expensive. However, you may be surprised to learn how beneficial owning a pet can be for a family on many levels. Here are six reasons why getting a family pet is a great idea.
Pets provide comfort
A dog truly is man’s best friend. But any pet can provide comfort and companionship to its human owners. Regardless of the personality of the child, they will likely find security in the companionship of an animal. This type of support cannot be replicated by any other type of toy or electronic device.
Pets have also been shown to be terrific providers for children who may suffer from anxiety. Kids routinely turn to their pets when they feel lonely or upset about something. An animal can bring out the best in a child, making them an invaluable part of many families.
Pets support a healthy lifestyle
Want your family to get moving more often? Getting a pet will go a long way in reaching this goal. Getting a dog is a great motivator to get out and get walking. Kids will also delight in simply romping around in the backyard with an animal. It is hard to procrastinate on the daily family walk if you have a dog waiting to be taken outside. A pet will also encourage everyone in the family to get outdoors more often, soaking up the fresh air and valuable vitamin D.
Pets teach responsibility
Savvy parents understand the great value of pets when it comes to teaching their children responsibility. Pets come with a number of responsibilities, including taking them out for exercise, feeding them, and more.
The secret to success in using pets to teach children about responsibility is to assign them chores that are age-appropriate. For example, if you purchase a modern cat litter box, your child will be able to learn how to change the contents and take ownership of this task. Your child will learn how to care for something other than themselves, giving them confidence that they can handle a variety of tasks.
Pets are fun
The bottom line is that pets are incredibly fun. A special animal can bring a family together like nothing else. Regardless of the type of animal that you own, having a pet can bring hours of enjoyment to any home. Kids will delight in watching their pets play, cuddling up with them at night, and doing silly things together.
As a parent, you will appreciate the opportunity to watch your child having fun with this treasured part of the family. An animal is often the focus of activities that families do together. From taking the dog to the park to sharing in the grooming responsibilities, many family activities revolve around the animals that also call the house home.
Pet reduce allergies
Numerous research studies over the years have demonstrated that children who were raised in homes with pets boast a stronger immune system than those who were not. This stronger immune system makes them less likely to develop asthma and childhood allergies.
In addition, some research also points to pet-owners having a stronger ability to fight off infections such as colds and flu. This results in less time off from work and school because of illness. In other words, having a pet is actually good for your overall health.
Pets teach about the circle of life
Although it is understandable to want to protect your child from sadness and grief, pets are a good way to help children to understand the circle of life. Dealing with the death of a pet is undoubtedly a sad situation for families. However, studies have shown that having to walk through this process as a child can help people to cope with other traumatic experiences later in life.
These six reasons provide plenty of insight into how getting a pet can be beneficial for your entire family. If you need any other reason to get a pet other than to make your child happy, this list is a good place to start.