A pet at home will make your children more responsible people, since it has been shown that children who care for an animal learn to take responsibility, love and respect animals, which is very beneficial for their development as people.
In January 2022, a legislative regulation came into force whereby animals ceased to be legally things to be considered living beings endowed with sentience. A necessary and very important advance.
Families in which there are pets know that they become one more and that the bonds that are created with them are very special.
If it is about animals with a longer domestic tradition such as a dog, cat or even a rabbit or rodent, the attachment that is created between children and their animal helps them to develop better self-esteem.
The benefits of having pets for children are the following:
1.A pet reduces stress: since it relaxes being in its company.
According to a study published in the journal Social Development, dogs may provide socio-emotional benefits to children through buffering stress.
In this study, a total of 101 minors between the ages of seven and 12 were subjected to various social pressure tests, some together with their pet and others alone.
The results showed that when they were alone, the pressure levels increased, while with the presence of their pet, the stress levels dropped considerably.
2. Helps keep fit: especially in the case of dogs, since it keeps the family and children active, you have to go for walks with them, play, run, etc.
3.Having a pet helps strengthen the immune system of children: Children who in their first years of life live with a cat or a dog are less likely to develop asthma and allergies related to animals.
According to studies by the UK Pet Health Council , the immune system of children (particularly between 5 and 8 years old) of families with a pet, is more stable than those children of families that do not live together with pets.
Other studies maintain that early exposure to dogs or cats (before the age of 2) decreases the probability of developing asthma symptoms and wheezing at school age.
4.People with pets are more sociable: which improves the relationship with other people.
The same thing happens in the case of children: children who live with pets, especially dogs, have better social and emotional well-being compared to those who do not, according to a study published in the scientific journal Pediatric Research. .
5.They better understand the stages of life: through their pet, children become more aware of such important moments as birth or death.
6. They develop love and respect for animals: Children who have pets create special bonds with animals and learn to love and respect them, providing them with very beautiful and important human values.
7. More responsible: The child must take care of the animal's needs, depending on their age, of course.
If you feed him, help in the bathroom or participate in the walk, he will become more responsible and become aware of the needs of an animal and the responsibilities that having it entails.
8. They help prevent heart disease: According to the Pet Health Council (UK Pet Health Council), companion animals improve the health of their owners and caregivers by helping to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
This is because people with pets tend to exercise more and lead healthier lives.
9. Benefits for children with learning difficulties: Children with learning difficulties can also benefit from interaction with pets.
One study found that the presence of a dog helped channel children's attention and responsiveness toward the therapist.
10. They help improve trust and non-verbal communication: According to an article from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the bond created between children and animals helps them to better develop trust, non-verbal communication, compassion and empathy.
