Potentially adding a new furry member to your family can be quite an exciting experience. Pets can make perfect companions for the entire family. They are great playmates, perfect confidants, and our best friends. However, there are many important things you should consider before getting a pet for your child.
This article is going to explore some of the pros and cons of getting a pet for your child. We will look at a wide range of elements that will hopefully make this decision easier for you and your family. By reading this article, you can make an informed decision and likely reduce the chance that you will join the 5% of people who rehome their pets.
The Pros
Learning Responsibility
One of the largest benefits of child pet ownership is that it helps instill a sense of responsibility in your children. Your child will have to learn to care for their pet appropriately. This includes things like making sure they get plenty of exercise, have reliable food & water, are taken out to potty if applicable, and make sure they are adequately played with.
While all of these tasks are great ways for your child to learn to be more responsible, it is important to always remember to keep a watchful eye out on the pet and your child. Some children will take more time to adjust to the added responsibility their furry companion requires.
Stress Reduction
Pets can be a great way to help children calm down after a rough day or other stressful situations. Many times, pets will serve as your child’s listening ear when they need someone to talk to. Even just going out and enjoying playing catch with their new puppy can be a great way for kids to unwind after a rough day at school.
Incentive To Exercise
Another great benefit of pet ownership for children is that they offer a great incentive to exercise. This holds to be especially true for dog owners. Your child will get plenty of exercise taking their canine companion out for walks, playing fetch, and much more. It is the perfect outlet for their bundled energy.
The Cons
Dogs Require Consistent Training
One thing to be particularly cognitive of if you are considering getting a dog for your child is the amount of time you will need to spend training that dog. Dogs are just like children, if you don’t take the time to tell them how they are to behave and do it in a way they can understand, you will have an unruly dog. While children can understand your words and usually communicate with words, dogs don’t have that ability. Dogs communicate with growling, barking, body language, and if all else fails, biting. If you do not take the time to socialize and train your dog, that dog will be unpredictable and much more of a liability. Almost any behavior can be overcome and re-trained by a qualified trainer. If you and the dog are struggling, keep trying. Different training styles will work for different dogs.
You May Have to Dog-Proof Your Home
Just like babies, dogs can get into all sorts of trouble if a house isn’t child-proofed. Some main elements to think about child-proofing are your dressers, cabinets, drawers and doors. There are many products fit for securing furniture to walls and keeping the curious kids and fur-kids safe. But don’t forget about your yard. If you have a pool in your yard, you will likely want to install a protective fence. Companies creating pool designs in Houston, Phoenix, and all of New York are good about designing pools where fencing will fit around the perimeter. There are many other cities where fences are required around residential pools.
Potty Accidents Will Happen
Another downside of pet ownership that will happen at some point is the occasional potty accident. Pet urine removal can be quite a chore that will likely require the supervision of an adult. Even on hardwood or tile floors, pet accidents can leave stains if not taken care of promptly. Thankfully, there are many pet waste cleaning products with special enzymes that help to clean up the occasional mess, and there are professionals that can help you with carpet cleaning or grout cleaning for tile floors.
Allergies
This one can be quite an issue for the entire family. Roughly 10% of people are allergic to cats or dogs. Cat allergies are roughly twice as common. If you’re considering getting a cat or dog for your child, consider getting an allergy test done beforehand for all members of the household. This will reduce the chance of rehoming your potential furry companion due to a severe allergic reaction.
Conclusion
Getting a pet for your child can be a great thing. There are many benefits such as learning responsibility, increased physical activity levels, and stress reduction. However, there are cons like aggressive behavior, potty accidents, and allergic reactions that need to be considered as well.
By considering factors like these you can help make the best decision for your entire family. Remember, getting a pet is a decision that should involve everyone in the household. With appropriate thought and consideration, you are sure to make the best decision for your child and your potential animal companion.
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