Are family pets good for child development?
Owning a pet can help children learn vital life skills according to new research out today. Half of Brits think that having a companion, such as a cat, dog, rabbit, fish, hamster or reptile around the house helps to teach kids lessons in responsibility. Whether it’s helping to feed them daily, cleaning their hutch or home, taking them for walks or looking out for signs of ill health – taking care of a pet can both aid child development and provide kids with improved social skills.
Four-in-ten parents think owning a furry friend makes their children more understanding, a further third believe their child’s interactivity has improved, while a quarter have seen increased signs of selflessness that they attribute to their pets. Others also note an increase in confidence and communication.
According to the study by Pets At Home, there is also a feel-good factor linked to having a pet. Three-quarters of pet owners say their relationship with their furry friend makes them happy.
Curiously, those who never had a pet as a child are five times as likely to consider themselves generally unhappy than those who had.
Having a pet can also bring a family together – in fact a third of us feel our family would be incomplete with a wagging tail or friendly ‘purr’.
Lorraine Thomas, Chief Executive of the Parent Coaching Academy explains, "Children thrive on the responsibility of looking after a pet. It makes them feel happy and positive and has a really powerful effect on their confidence and self-belief. The unique relationship that develops as they care for a cat, dog or hamster means they feel valued and special. Owning a pet helps children develop a whole range of skills and qualities - and create memories that will last forever.”
However, while adding a new member to the family can be a great way to keep your children happy and fulfilled, it’s always best to seek professional advice before taking the plunge.
Companion Care Vet, Nick Acworth, says: “Different types of pets have very different needs so it's vital that anyone thinking about welcoming a new pet into their home understands what will be involved in their care. Pets at Home’s pet workshops are an ideal free activity for the school summer holidays as they give families the opportunity to interact with a range of pets in store and learn how to care for these pets responsibly in a fun and memorable way.”
Pets At Home are running free pet workshops and in-store trails for children in their stores throughout the summer holidays. The workshops take place at 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays during July and August.
To find your local store visit petsathome.com/storelocator .
