Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Your Kids

It’s 6 a.m., and you hear your baby whimpering. He’s probably hungry, but you want to sleep a little longer. Nevertheless, like any good parent, you get out of bed to feed him. But you’re not feeding your infant son. You’re feeding Rocky, your beloved golden retriever who is such an integral part of your family that you’re willing to get up at the crack of dawn for him.

Why do you care so much? And what does this special bond mean to your family?

As you incorporate a pet into your family’s daily rhythm, he quickly wiggles his way into your hearts. He flashes his “I’ll-miss-you” puppy dog eyes whenever you leave the house and greets you at the door when you come home. He wags his tail when you talk to him and curls up next to your kids, giving them a built-in snuggle buddy. In turn, your family celebrates his birthday, takes selfies with him, plays with him and brings him on vacation. It’s a two-way lovefest.

“When I’m watching TV, Shadow sits on my chest and rubs his head against me,” explains Kevin, the “parent” of a 25-pound cat. “He’s so heavy that it’s a little hard to breathe. Even though I’m gasping for air after a few minutes, I love his affection.”

Veterinarian Dr. Brian Benjamin understands the special bond. “We have clients who celebrate Christmas and hang a stocking on the fireplace with their pet’s name just like a kid in the family,” he says.

Three Surprising Ways Pets Benefit Your Kids

According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, growing up with a pet can usher in a host of benefits for children.

They learn how to be responsible. “In many ways, the pet becomes like a child because it depends on its owner for food, water, bathing and a clean, healthy environment,” says Dr. Benjamin. “And the child becomes like a parent because he takes on the responsibility of helping to care for the pet.”

They learn big-picture lessons about the circle of life, from birth and illnesses to accidents and death. “Loss of a pet is always difficult,” explains Dr. Benjamin. “This can be the first time a child experiences the loss of a loved one. It can lay the groundwork and set the stage for what it means to lose a family member.”

They often confide in their pets, treating them like a trusted confidant. Pets listen with no judgment, which helps kids share their feelings. And pets cuddle and provide comfort, which helps kids develop compassion and nonverbal communication skills. “I have a son who has special needs,” points out Dr. Benjamin, “and he sometimes relates to pets in the house more easily than he relates to people.”

It’s not just the kids who benefit from pet ownership. Parents can get in on the tail-wagging benefits, too. “People who share their houses with pets can have less overall stress because the pets act as a comforting factor,” says Dr. Benjamin. “Studies have shown that petting a purring cat can reduce heart rate and stress level.”

This might just make up for all those mornings when you sacrifice extra shuteye to get up and feed your “baby.”

Looking for a great place to adopt a pet?

Start with the local organizations in your community. Or tap the searchable online resources that can filter results by your location and type of animal you want to adopt.
• acawl.org
• buttehumane.org
• rrdog.org
• tailsofrescue.org
• havenhumane.org
• orlandtownandcountryhumane.org
• wagsandwhiskerspetrescue.com