Mum can we have a dog…pleeeease?...Is a conversation that my daughter and I have at least once a year.  Considering the chaotic (home with kids) household that surrounds me already I always respond with a ‘We’ll see Aloka’.

Having a household pet is an important commitment and considering the lack of space and time available to me, since I know the kids will do the dog cuddling duties and mum will be left with the poop scooping duties, I qualm at the thought of the extra work. Though current research has shown that in fact growing up with dog that gives you slobbery kisses or having that indifferent cat constantly curled up on the windowsill is actually quite beneficial to a child.

Emotional Well-being

According to Scientists children who grew up with household pets tend to have better outcomes in important key areas in their lives as follows:

Pets help children develop nurturing skills. Despite the fact that we have been nurtured as a child, we apparently do not automatically know how to practice it as an adult. So therefore by growing up with a pet a child has had the chance to practice their nurturing and caregiving skills and this will inturn come automatically to them when they are adults. So to develop compassionate and empathic adults, it is important to provide the right receipe in the form of a pet when they are children.

Pets help children develop nonverbal skills. Communicating with an animal requires a lot of guessing of movements and physical behavior displayed. This helps adults to learn nonverbal communication when displayed in any other human situation and to react accordingly.

Animals are a great source of comfort to children. They can be their safe ‘secret’ friends and children are more inclined to talk to their pets.

Having a pet such as a dog definitely keeps kids healthy for not only do they have to engage in exercise when walking the dog, apparently animals also exposure children to bacteria which can be beneficial to then in the long run. Studies have shown that they help to develop stronger and fitter immune systems in children, all from a dog’s slobbery lick.

Pets help build family bonds. A pet is often the focus of activities that families do together, everyone takes the dog for a walk, gives him a bath, gets down and dirty with him while playing ball etc. It gives families an opportunity to spend an enjoyable time together.

Academics

Having a pet can also help your child academically as well. I am not saying that you might raise Einstein because Kalu the cat is in the scene, but studies have shown that it helps children form a bridge between their emotions and their intellect. Children have been more confident in reading to their pets and this has hastened the ability to read in some. Also children have a ‘silent’ study partner in their pet for they have a constant companion to talk about their homework as they learn it.

All this you get from a slippery fish or ‘Kalu’ the noisey cat you say with amazement? Apparently so. Every study done shows that having a pet whilst growing up has a positive effect on a child. So therefore since we are constantly striving to excel our progeny in all aspects, getting the help of a friendly four-legged animal is to be considered. To answer Aloka’s previously asked question…..science has won me over looks like it’s a YES. Happy Tails!

THE RIGHT PET FOR YOUR CHILD’S AGE

Infants – At this stage infants are not able to look after themselves, so having a pet is out of the question. If you already have a pet in the household, have supervised visits with your child.

Toddlers – At this stage Toddlers are very curious individuals, always pulling and grabbing at things. Make sure your child does not pull your pets fur, limbs or ear and cause the animal to react. Also keep your pets food out of reach of curious hands.

3 to 5 year olds. – Children at this stage are just starting to learn about empathy and compassion to another being. At this stage it is good to get them an animal they can pet, seldom bite and is also quite communicative. Animal experts recommend guinea pigs.

5 to 10 year olds - The attention spans of children at this stage are quite short and inconsistent, so therefore it is good to think about small pets such as goldfish or gerbils. They can get involved with cleaning out cages, filling water bowl etc

10 to 13 year olds -  Kids at this stage are responsible to look after almost any animal. They can be given sole responsibility of the animal of their choice but it is important for an adult to intermittently check if the animal is being cared for adequately.

14 to 17 year old – Teenagers are very busy and pets at this stage will have to compete for their time. It is best to think about getting a goldfish or a bird that requires little maintenance.  

(By Mayuri Jayasinghe)