A Pet For Christmas
This Christmas, most children will ask their parents if they can have a pet of some sort. Kids and pets go together like ham and eggs on a Sunday morning. Especially during these pandemic times, Most people agree that kids should have pets. Not only does having a pet teach a child the responsibility of caring for another living creature, but it creates a bond between the child and the animal.
Pets ask for very little but give unconditional love to their owners. Most children are interested in animals the minute they see these creatures. According to many psychiatrists, children who grow up with pets tend to care more for other individuals.
In addition to creating empathy, pets can also raise a child’s self-esteem. A pet will always be there for a child, even when it seems as if nothing else is going right. There is a comfort that most people, children, and adults, find in being unconditionally loved.
Studies of heart attack victims indicate that those who have pets are four times more likely to recover from their heart attack than those without pets. Pets calm us. They stabilize us in a volatile world. No matter what is going on in your life, your pet will still want to be walked at a specific time, and you will do it because it is part of your routine.
Routines are the mainstay of a healthy mind. Routines are just as important to children as they are to adults. One thing that children like to feel more than anything else is safe. One way to get security in your life and your child’s life is through a routine. Pets force us to maintain a routine, making the entire family more balanced.
Just about everyone agrees that pets are good for kids. Even if it is a simple goldfish swimming around in a bowl, pets can teach children so many of life’s lessons that they are well worth the investment. The type of pet that you get your kids depends upon their age and your lifestyle.
When people think about getting a pet for their kids, they naturally think about getting a dog. A dog is the only pet that depends on a social environment to survive. All dogs have an ancestry with wolves, and wolves are the only wild animals to cohabit with man.
Dogs are natural companions for humanity. Other pets are merely creatures that live in the house that you get to enjoy.
Dogs can be quite a lot of work, especially if you get the dog as a puppy. You will want to avoid certain dog breeds when you have small children for the safety of the children and the animals. Cats can make good pets, but they are not very tolerant of small children who may pull their tails or squeeze them.
Hamsters, gerbils, and other rodents are sometimes wise choices for busy families who want to have a pet but don’t have much time to invest in the animal.
Other pets include fish and reptiles. Some people enjoy having birds as well. Rabbits are always a favorite pet among young children and can be held and played with like a cat without worrying about scratching.
The chances are that your child will enjoy any pet you give them and gradually learn to take care of the animal. While some people prefer to start small when introducing their children to pets, others jump right in with a dog. Either way, there is always a period of disruption before everything gets harmonized.
Pets and children are a good combination and add joy to any household.
Both are innocent and dependent and require a lot of patience. By getting your children a pet, you are not only teaching them responsibility, building their self-esteem and confidence, and allowing them to care for another living creature; you are also giving yourself the gift of receiving unconditional love from a pet.
If you are considering a pet for your children this Christmas, I recommend a trip to your local Pet Shop and speak to an expert on the pet you are considering. Get your questions answered before getting a pet.