Most parents will, at one time or another, be asked by their children if they can have a pet of some sort. Kids and pets go together like ham and eggs on a Sunday morning. Most people agree that kids should have pets. Not only does having a pet teach a child the responsibility of caring for another living creature, but it creates a bond between the child and the animal.
Pets ask for very little but give unconditional love to their owners. Most children are interested in animals the minute they see these creatures. According to many psychiatrists, children who grow up with pets tend to be more caring towards other individuals.
In addition to creating empathy, pets can also raise a child’s self-esteem. A pet will always be there for a child, even when it seems as if nothing else is going right. There is a comfort that most people, children, and adults, find in being unconditionally loved.
Studies of heart attack victims indicate that those who have pets are four times more likely to recover from their heart attack than those without pets. Pets calm us. They stabilize us in a highly unstable world. No matter what is going on in your life, your pet will still want to be walked at a certain time and you will do it because it is part of your routine.
Routines are the mainstay of a healthy mind. Routines are just as important to children as they are to adults. One thing that children like to feel more than anything else is safe. One way to get security in your life and your child’s life is through routine. Pets force us to maintain a routine, making the entire family more balanced.
Just about everyone agrees that pets are good for kids. Even if it is a simple goldfish swimming around in a bowl, pets can teach children so many of life’s lessons that they are well worth the investment. The type of pet that you get your kids depends upon their age as well as your lifestyle.
When people think about getting a pet for their kids, they naturally think about getting a dog. A dog is the only pet that really depends on a social environment to survive. All dogs come from wolves somewhere down the line and wolves are the only wild animal that will cohabit with man. Dogs are natural companions for mankind. Other pets are merely creatures that live in the house that you get to enjoy.
Dogs can be quite a lot of work, especially if you get the dog as a puppy. There are certain dog breeds that you will want to avoid when you have small children, for both the safety of the children and the animals. Cats can make good pets, but they are not very tolerant of small children who may pull their tails or squeeze them. Hamsters, gerbils and other rodents are sometimes a wise choice for busy families who want to have a pet but don’t really have a lot of time to invest in the animal.
Other pets include fish and reptiles. Some people enjoy having birds as well. Rabbits are always a favorite pet among young children and can be held and played with like a cat, without having to worry about scratching.
Chances are that your child will enjoy any type of pet that you give them and learn to gradually take care of the animal. While some people prefer to start off small when it comes to introducing their children to pets, others jump right in with a dog. Either way, there is always a period of disruption before everything gets harmonized.
This book will teach you about kids and pets including what type of pets to get your kids, how to care for certain pets, which type of pets to avoid and how to get your children to take care of their pets.
Pets and children are a good combination and add joy to any household. Both are innocent and dependent and require a lot of patience. By getting your children a pet, you are not only teaching them responsibility, building their self-esteem and confidence and giving them the opportunity to care for another living creature, you are also giving yourself the gift of receiving unconditional love from a pet.
