Pets are man’s best friend, but truth, they’re kid’s best friends too. If you’re a pet parent, you probably witness daily the cute and tender relationship between your child and your animals. If you don’t yet have a furry friend of your own, maybe you’re reading this article because you’re contemplating bringing one into your family? May is National Pet Month, after all!

Here’s a fun fact: pets are not just cute and cuddly and fun to have around, but they have actual benefits on children’s development. Whether you adopt that dog you’ve been eyeing on your local pet shelter’s Facebook page, bring home a kitten from a neighbor’s kid’s teacher’s cat’s latest litter or buy a reptile at the local pet shop, the rewards that pets bring are undeniable and profound. Perhaps knowing these advantages of having a pet will be the clincher that gets you to become a pet parent next:

• Pets show kids responsibility. A valuable lesson in having a pet is learning how to take care of them; feeding, cleaning, grooming and/or walking them is all part of the day-to-day of pet ownership. Depending on the age of your child, you can give them tasks to help ensure Fluffy’s overall well-being and teach them what it’s like to take care of someone else. It’s never too early to introduce life skills!

• Pets can help with learning. You know how some libraries host Read to a Dog events? It’s not so that dogs can learn about the Cat in the Hat. It’s so kids can practice their reading in a stress-free environment to a non-human that won’t judge. Bringing therapy dogs into the classroom has been shown to help disabled kids learn better, but there are also studies proving therapy dogs can help sharpen kids’ writing skills, improve motivation and strengthen the teacher/student bond.

• Pets teach kids social skills. Much like with their peers, interacting with animals requires patience and understanding. Even if it’s a one-sided conversation, communicating with pets teaches kids how to form bonds with other living beings, as well as how to problem solve. 

• Pets enhance emotional support and regulation. Pets of all kinds provide unconditional love and support for their owners, and this can provide a great source of comfort for kids, especially those with special needs or highly sensitive children. In fact, one study found that spending just ten minutes cuddling with a dog or cat lowered cortisol levels, aka the stress hormone, in college students.

• Pets encourage kids’ physical development. Dogs especially need exercise, and they sure won’t walk themselves. If your kid is old enough to take them out for a walk independently or even with parental assistance, they’re getting exercise. Even playing catch with a dog or wrestling playfully in their yard can help kids stay physically active.

Did you know pets were so beneficial for kids? 

Email us or give us a shout on our socials. We’re all ears👂! And if you enjoyed this article, sign up for our weekly newsletter below, with tips, tricks, and trends coming to your inbox every Sunday morning.