The idea of owning a pet can cause some chaos at first. But in time, you will see your pet as a member of the family along with your children. For example, many of us see a family member having strict rules about keeping cats or dogs at home. However, after adopting a pet, the family member who is most interested is the one who does not want a pet at home. Pets do so much good to human psychology.
Look at the change in your home after adopting a cat. What was it like before and after? It was a good change in your life, wasn’t it? After adopting a dog, you walk your dog every day and your child plays with it. In addition, your dog has many positive effects by protecting your child from environmental influences. Let’s take a look at the benefits of owning a pet for children and the impact it has on your life.
Adopting a pet relieves stress in your life
According to a study, children who have pets are less stressed and restless than children without pets. This is not only true for children, but also for adults. The serotonin hormone in the body is released more when you bond with your pets and cuddle with your furry friends. Thus, a good and more positive mood is observed.
In the social environment, which is disconnected from nature and where technology is more dominant, animal love is at the forefront of the elements that help children achieve positive effects on their personal development.
Love of animals brings a sense of empathy to children
Interest and love for animals teaches the child to adapt and where and how to behave. Children with developing empathy skills comment on what is happening around them. In the same way, he understands problems more clearly and begins to find solutions to the problems of the relationships in which he finds himself. Children are aware that they immediately perceive what they see around them. He also begins to use empathy from street animals or pets. Handling animals and playing with them is taught to him by his family. It is very successful for the personal development of children who are old enough to understand and use this.
Having animals improves children’s social skills
By raising your child with a pet, they develop skills such as introducing themselves and answering questions asked of them. In addition, children who walk their pets get at least half an hour of exercise every day, which has a significant impact on their immune system and joint development. It also prevents children from withdrawing themselves, especially during the pandemic season we live in.
Pet care keeps children’s sense of responsibility alive
When parents provide a healthy pet-child relationship, it prevents the child from leaving it aside whenever they want and teaches responsibility for a living being. Try to get your child to meet some of your pet’s needs (of course, they have to be things your child can do). In particular, teach him to change the water bowl every day and to put the food bowl where it should be at mealtimes. If you are a dog owner, it increases the sense of responsibility by organising routine walks.
Thanks to pets, children do not feel alone
Owners of pets feel less alone and also have self-confidence. Because the things children do and say, animals allow them to do without reacting. As long as your child does not hurt it, it will not react negatively. So children will not have a feeling of loneliness as they will have a pleasant time with their pet.
Children discover the existence of mutual love
Children in the developmental stage learn with animal love to be emotionally giving, not to constantly demand attention from the other, not to be constantly receptive. Above all, thanks to the loyalty of dogs, the dog responds more to the child who shows his love and interest to your dog, and the child will understand that this behaviour is right. The child who recognises love and virtue will bring out more tolerant, giving, sharing and helpful feelings.
Source: https://petyasam.com/evcil-hayvan-sahiplenme-cocuklar-uzerindeki-etkileri/