Pets And Children (2025)

FAQs

Is having a pet good for children? ›

Along with supporting emotional regulation, a pet can help encourage emotional development through nurturing empathy and compassion. Having a pet in the house can teach kids from a young age how to read body language and other nonverbal cues and develop senses for reading others' emotions and learning how to respond.

Growing up with pets instills a sense of responsibility and empathy in children. In feeding, grooming, and going to vet checkups, children learn how to care for another living being. This sense of duty extends to understanding the importance of annual pet exams and seeking medical attention when needed.

Pets are some of the best listeners. They never judge and they always provide your child with companionship. With pets, children always have someone to talk to and play with, which allows them to practice and improve their social skills.

Having a pet comes with so many social-emotional benefits for children. Positive relationships with family pets, like cats or dogs, can boost a child's self-esteem and confidence. Taking part in routines like walking the dog or feeding their fish can give them a sense of responsibility.

Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can do more than keep you company. Pets may also decrease stress, improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.

The age of your children is one factor to consider when getting a pet. Generally, since many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it may be safest to wait until your child is older than age 4. But think about your children and their individual maturity levels, because each child develops differently.

Having been pet owners for years, we're well accustomed to being held accountable when it comes to getting up early or penciling in time for a daily walk. This certainly helped us further cement our schedule-oriented mentality and prepared us for creating a schedule for our baby.

Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence. Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others. A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.

A Dog's Purpose is a heart-warming, funny and very emotional drama aimed towards older children and young teenagers.

One argument is that cats, dogs, and other pets suffer too much at our hands. Theoretically, we may be able to provide good homes for our pets, and many of us do. However, in the real world, animals suffer abandonment, cruelty, and neglect.

What percent of kids want a pet? ›

But one recent survey (commissioned by SpinMaster) found that 74 percent of children ask for a pet an average of 11 times per month, from age 6 on! That means by the time those children reach age 18, they will have asked their parents for a pet an average of 1,584 times.

Dogs are also better for children. They're usually more playful than cats, so children would like to be around them, as most kids also have lots of energy. Like cats, dogs' personalities vary from dog-to-dog.

Studies show that children who live in a home with a pet during their first year of life are more likely to be healthier, compared to kids without a pet. Being exposed to furry friends at an early age can help stimulate the immune system, helping fight off infections at a faster rate.

In addition to boosting children's immune systems, the bond between human and animal offers your children other health benefits, too. Mental health. Animal companionship can ease anxiety and reduce stress. Physical activity.

So, yes, dogs do view children differently than adults, and that means you need to keep an eye on their interactions. Interestingly, if you as an adult, are also demonstrating unpredictable over energetic and overly emotional behavior, you too can also find that your dog does not “listen” very well to you!

A pet's presence in an only child's life extends beyond mere companionship. It acts as a catalyst for growth, offering valuable insights into relationships, nurturing a caring attitude, and instilling a sense of responsibility.

They're healthier

Besides the obvious benefits of being more active and getting outside more often when playing with a dog, several studies have suggested that children who have dogs have a decreased chance of developing allergies.

Being around animals can help children reduce the risk of allergies and asthma as they get older! Being around cats and our fur from an early age helps your little ones become immune to allergies and other illnesses.