How Family Pets Benefit Kids
It all began with Dumbledore, the spotted kindergarten classroom rabbit that needed a home away from Hogwarts School.
“Only on weekends,” said Dad sternly, extending an extra heap of Christmas charity to host said bunny for the two-week Blue Valley holiday break. To Dad’s dismay, however, Dumbledore cast a spell on our kids. Soon enough, our family had fallen—down a rabbit hole—for this darling ball of fluff.
Realizing we were now rabbit-folk, we adopted a bunny of our very own and named this beloved panda-like creature Mr. Tubbins. After two years (when we discovered from the vet, after all that time, that “he” was actually a “she”), our Mrs. Tubbins departed to her heavenly home. Straight away, Mr. Nibbles and Mr. Tibbles came bouncing into our family to fill the hole in our hearts.
To our kids, our pets fill a plethora of roles: snuggly infant siblings in need of responsible care, dress-up dolls, drop-everything-and-read companions and mischief Ewoks on mission to defeat the Galactic Empire. Despite Dad’s occasional threats to boil up some rabbit stew—generally upon seeing nibbled electronics cables—the pets are bunny-fide members of the family. We (yes, even Dad!) dearly love them.
Pet adoption is no small consideration, but for many, it’s a rite of childhood. Whether it is a hermit crab or goldfish, a dog, cat or horse, children enjoy the love and companionship offered by animals. Pets can offer several developmental benefits to children. A child’s emotional, physical, social and cognitive development can all be encouraged by interaction with the family pet.
Emotional Benefits
Pets are natural antidepressants. They help to lower cortisol, a hormone associated with stress and anxiety, while increasing the body’s production of serotonin, the happy hormone. Another feel-good hormone, oxytocin, rises in both the child and animal as they interact, strengthening their bond. In the presence of beloved pets, therefore, kids are often more relaxed and exhibit greater joy.
Animals help kids focus. Living in the present moment, pets encourage their “giants” to be more fully engaged in the here-and-now, instead of overthinking the squabble at recess or tomorrow’s high-stakes math exam. Best of all, the loyal companionship of a furry friend makes children feel unconditionally loved.
Physical Benefits
Given a pet’s ability to affect cortisol and decrease stress, it makes sense that petting a dog actually lowers blood pressure levels in children with hypertension. Dogs are very active, keeping their Frisbee-flinging, squeak toy-fetching, canine-walking giants in top shape. With all that exercise, your child might also be sleeping like a dog—the only one crawling covertly into Mom and Dad’s bed now is Rex!
Beyond the cardiovascular boosts, pet owners enjoy numerous other health benefits. Children who grow up with dogs, cats or large farm animals are less likely to develop allergies. Pets also help people build stronger immune systems, staving off illness, and speed recovery time after a bout of feeling under the weather.
Social Benefits
Studies show that animals can help improve self-confidence and communication skills. Children with low self-confidence may be less intimidated interacting with animals than with peers, because animals accept them unconditionally. Animals don’t talk back or betray secrets, so confiding in animals is a safe way for kids to practice and strengthen communication skills.
Pets are among kids’ favorite topics of conversation, and walking a pet also provides a natural opportunity to greet the neighbors.
Cognitive Benefits
Animal-assisted therapy is commonly used for sensory processing disorders, autism, brain injury and other special needs, but all children can reap cognitive benefits from caring for pets. Animals require responsibility. Cleaning a habitat, grooming and feeding a pet are often multi-step processes. For young children, these responsibilities make them more adept at following multiple directions.
Pets also make fantastic reading buddies, because they don’t bark at mispronounced words or overcorrect mistakes. Programs such as R.E.A.D. (Reading Assistance Education with Dogs) encourage literacy and communication skills. The “Read to a Dog” R.E.A.D. program meets at the Waldo Branch Library on the third Saturday of each month (Nov. 16, 2013; March 15 & April 19, 2014—no December or January dates), 10:00-11:30. To reserve a free 10-minute slot with Spot, call 816.701.3486, or sign up in person at the Waldo circulation desk (201 E. 75th St.).
QUICK QUIZ:
For animal lovers, it’s the quintessential war of all wars: cats vs. dogs. Which pet is right for your family?
When you walk through the door, you want an animal that will:
- Dog—knock you flat on your back with sloppy kisses, then roll over your face.
- Cat—brush up softly against your heel, slinking away demurely.
How much noise can you tolerate?
- Dog—my kids play brass instruments.
- Cat—my kids play the silent game.
Which exercise routine best suits you?
- Dog—anything outdoorsy, like Prancercise.
- Cat—stretching (upon the couch, while watching Richard Simmons VHS tapes).
Your comic character of choice is:
- Dog—Snoopy.
- Cat—Garfield.
How do you feel about grooming your pet?
- Dog—size 10 blade, contour around the ears and don’t neglect the glands.
- Cat—grooming’s for the dogs.
You would rather be considered:
- Dog—a candidate for your pet’s identical twin.
- Cat—that “crazy cat lady.”
Your favorite Harry Potter characters are:
- Dog—Sirius Black and Hagrid.
- Cat—Mrs. Figg and Professor McGonagall.
Wendy Connelly lives with her husband, kids and two bouncing bunnies in Overland Park.