Guest Blogger Series: Seven Reasons Why Families Should Have a Pet – MommyStroller

Welcome to another guest blog in this series. Whilst I am on my way home from sunny Portugal, I am leaving you in the capable hands of Olena who is today discussing the benefits of having a family pet. 

Olena is 28-year old Ukrainian living with her family in San Diego, California. She is a stay-at-home mom of two: 3 years old girl Sofia and 13 month boy Daniel, and also a sphynx cat Dory. She loves her morning coffee and little everyday miracles. She is also a contributing writer for MommyStroller.com, a site dedicated to helping parents overcome the overwhelming feeling they experience when picking out baby gear.

Seven Reasons Why Families Should Have a Pet

Do you have kids begging for a pet? Maybe you had a pet growing up and are considering getting one for your child. There are a lot of benefits to adding a furry friend to your home. Here are seven reasons why your family needs a pet.

Teaching Responsibility

Owning a pet comes with a lot of caretaker jobs. The pet must be fed, bathed, and groomed. Many pets need exercise and time outdoors. If you have a young child, you can perform these tasks with them. They can assist you until they are old enough to perform them on their own. For older children, this is often a first lesson in responsibility. In order to keep the pet alive and in good health, they must do a good job.

A sense of pride often accompanies learning responsibility. This is your chance to instill confidence in your children. When they do a good job with their pet, they will feel good about their caretaking abilities and themselves in general.

Learning New Skills

If your child has never taken care of anything or anyone before, this will be an opportunity for them to learn many new skills. They will have to learn how to train the pet to live in your home, what kind of food it needs, and how to groom it. They will learn how to look for signs of illness and how to clean up large messes. Your child will learn how to interact with animals, and gain a sense of appreciation for them. This will in turn help your child have a sense of appreciation for nature and the world around them.

Less Illness/Allergies

Children who grow up in homes with a dog or cat usually have less respiratory illnesses. Research shows that babies who live in a home with a dog or cat have less colds. They also have lower risks of allergies and asthma. Scientists think that exposure to pet dander and the microbes these pets carry around with them help build your child’s immune system. Not only will your baby have a four-legged friend to play with, but that furry pal could keep them from getting sick.

Staying Active

Having a pet can ensure your child is spending time outdoors. With videogames and television shows, it can be hard to keep your kids active. Having a pet who needs to go outdoors, particularly a dog, can help. Your child will need to take the dog out to play as well as go on walks. So, your child will get some fresh air daily.

If your child is too young to take care of the pet themselves, you can still get them outside. They can help you play with the pet. You can also put them in a jogging stroller and take both them and the pet for a walk.

Pets also make good company for outdoor family activities. Dogs are great for camping with kids, going on nature walks, and visiting state parks. Taking your pet on vacation or family outings will ensure you all get enough fresh air and outdoor activity.

Friendship

Pets can be a great way to help calm a child. Some kids are even more relaxed around their pets than they are around people. Being able to play or talk to a special pet can help a child feel better. If your child is feeling upset, stroking a cat’s fur or petting a friendly dog can help them process those emotions. Children who may otherwise feel lonely can find a loyal friend and unconditional love in their pets. Pets can also help teach your child friendship through play and having fun together. They bring joy, help relieve stress, and are great listeners.

Sibling Bonding

If you’re looking for a way to unite your children, a pet may help. A pet gives them something in common that they are all excited about. Make sure you find a pet that they all love and are interested in caring for. Then, you can split up responsibilities for the pet. Your children will become a caretaker team, and learn how to work together. They will also have the opportunity to all play together with the pet. For siblings who differ in age or interests, this will give them something to talk about and make memories with. Your children will be able to recall stories of their beloved pet years down the road.

Learning How to Read

If you plan to get a dog for your family, you may be surprised to find they could help your children learn how to read. Children are sometimes embarrassed when learning how to read, because they stutter, make mistakes, or don’t know how to say the words. Research shows many children enjoy reading to a dog before reading to another person. Children see dogs as non-judgmental and calm. Dogs just sit and listen, taking the pressure off the reader. This is why many libraries bring dogs into their reading programs. A dog may be just the calming presence your child needs.

Conclusion

There are several reasons why owning a pet will be great for your family. While pets do require work and extra cleaning, they also bring joy and playful energy. Gifting your children a pet will ensure a childhood full of great memories.

Olena