Many of us had pets growing up. Whether it was a dog, cat, fish, hamster, bird, snake or spider, our pets were always the highlights of our little lives; and if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that the benefits of pets for children played an important role in our childhood.
They were part of the family. We loved them, cherished them and gave them love every single day. And like any other member of the family, they actually had a huge impact on our development when we were young.
Some of the benefits of pets for children we may have experienced included, taking the dog for walks that gave us a sense of responsibility. Or perhaps it was cuddling with our furry friend that reduced our anxiety and stress. It was taking care of our fur baby when they were sick which taught us empathy. Little did we know; the relationship we had with our pets helped us to improve our social-emotional development and motor skills.
We also learned nonverbal cues and the importance of nonverbal communication through our little furry friends. They’re also great listeners (like they had a choice) so we could read to them and do our homework with them. They were our little buddies that didn’t need a conversation; they just knew.
Our pets also helped our sensory development. From touching their fur to hearing them bark, meow (or hiss) opened up a whole new sensory world for us. When playing with our pets, we also learned to use our balance and body awareness senses. For example, we would learn that handling a rabbit takes much more care than handling a big labrador.
And that kind of lesson goes a long way in life.
Having a pet also allowed us to experience routine. Feeding them in the morning, taking them for walks and making sure they’re tucked in at night. This kind of routine develops our executive functioning – which, as we all know, is super important in our adult lives! It’s keeping to a schedule and the ability to flow into a routine.
But those aren’t the only benefits of pets for children.
They also helped us with:
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Improving relationships – Bonding with your family and friends while playing with your pet builds positive experiences with family and friends.
- Respect for living things – Pets teach us to love and care for all living things, be it a dog, cat or even an ant.
- Cognitive development – Studies show that growing up with pets aids in cognitive development -which of course, is super important.
But is there a “best” type of animal for childhood pets?
Yes, some pets are preferred to others. It depends on your child. You may choose a pet based on considerations such as:
- home space
- budget
- family schedule
- your child’s level of comfort with critters and waste cleanup (some pets need live food, like worms, crickets, or mice)
If your family is rarely home, a low-maintenance pet like may be best because you do not have to worry about getting home in time to let a dog outside to go to the bathroom. If you want your child to be more active and outgoing, a dog is probably your best bet since they need regular walks. If it’s independence you’re looking for, a cat will be slightly more independent and can teach children to take responsibility for feeding it while allowing them to learn about the cat’s boundaries around how it likes to be pet or touched.
And then there’s bunny rabbits – which are just for cuddles! So if it’s cuddles that your child needs, then maybe a rabbit is the pet for them. At the end of the day, it really depends on their needs and personality.
Pets are part of the family and play key roles in our children’s development. They can provide mental and physical health benefits and help foster emotional regulation, social skills, responsibilities, and other skills.
If your child is keen on a pet, consider the benefits of each one as you weigh up the decision. You might find that everyone in the family could benefit from having one, even you!
If you’re interested in working with a professional licensed Psychologist in California, schedule a consultation with Dr. Bernecker today