Are you thinking about getting a pet? Are you having doubts about whether it’s the best thing for your children?

The responsibilities of caring for a pet

The decision to have a pet in the house should be highly analyzed because of the amount of responsibilities it entails: watching over the food, water, bathing, veterinary appointments, taking it for a walk, giving it affection.

But many times parents are hesitant about having pets in the house. Not only because of the above, but also because they doubt whether it will be beneficial for their children, especially if they are small. Their concern is not so much about the responsibilities involved in caring for an animal, but rather their fear that their children will not understand that it is a small animal and therefore, leave it abandoned or not cooperate in its care.

Minimum age?

On this point it is important to mention that it is at the age of 4 that children are prepared to establish a true love relationship with their “faithful friend” . Before that age it can be difficult for the child to fully understand the implications of having a pet at home, which does not mean that they cannot have a pet at home before that age, but it will require constant supervision and special preparation with the little animal.

Generally, when parents have grown up with pets in the home, it is easier for them to help their children live with pets. However, it is an extremely interesting and emotional process when you really love your animals and want to provide them with a home and our unconditional companionship.

Points to consider when assessing having a pet in the home

Below, we have decided to develop some tips and observations to help those parents who are deciding to take a new member of the family home. Here are some of the benefits that occur in children living with their pet .

1. Self-esteem

The presence of a pet is like that of a faithful friend who accepts and loves you just as you are, by end and the children experience that unconditional love , which in turn increases the security in themselves and their environment.

2. Responsibility

The children understand in a very pleasant and receptive way the importance of fulfilling certain responsibilities for the well-being of their new friend: taking care of him, bathing him, feeding him, taking him for a walk or playing with him , are tasks that he does with pleasure for his friend. It is also interesting that, as parents, we take advantage of the situation to promote these types of values in our children.

3. Social skills

In a relaxed and mutually acceptable space, children learn to interact not only with their pet, but also with children who are attracted to their “friend”, thus being a simple means to overcome childhood fears. In addition to this, physical activity is increased, through walks, ball games, even within the same homes, which promotes a decrease in stress and an increase in the feeling of tranquility and joy.

4. Discipline

Knowing how to implement it, having a pet at home is an excellent opportunity to encourage discipline in the home , since the child must teach and at the same time respect basic rules of coexistence. For example: you can teach him where to go to the bathroom and the schedules, times for eating and going to bed, but at the same time he must respect the pet’s space while he eats, give him his space to rest, among others.

5. Expression of emotions

In a calm, trusting and welcoming space for the child, one learns to express affection , to be careful in his treatment and to easily understand expressions of non-verbal communication. For example, children learn to identify when the pet is sick or scared, as well as the development of intuition and empathy.

6. Union and family cohesion

There is no doubt that the presence of a pet involves all members of the family. The animals are usually very welcoming, tender, playful and friendly and have the ability to easily attract the attention of family members.Therefore, as time goes by, everyone becomes involved in their care, being in many occasions considered as one more member of the family nucleus .

7. Open-mindedness

Sometimes, sharing the care space at home with the pet is positive in helping many children to better assimilate the arrival of a sibling .

Teaching and educating in an enabling environment

Many of the benefits to children who care for their pets are determined by how parents treat the animals. This article mentions benefits based on a loving, responsible and close relationship with animals. We do not intend to humanize the influence of these pets, but we do intend to place them in an important space within the family constitution.

This allows for a closer, more affective bond and therefore, obtain psychological and emotional benefits as those mentioned throughout the article.