Confused About Getting A Pet? Here's Why You Should Do It

 The love kids have for animals is unquestionable. There is a reason why media pertaining to children is populated with talking animals and creatures. Kids share a natural empathy and connection with animals and find them delightful to no end. There’s no kid out there who hasn’t asked their parent to get them a pet. Now, it’s up to you to consider whether or not having a pet is the best decision for your household.

It can be very tempting to take an impulsive decision and get yourself a pet, this pandemic. But there are larger issues and caveats to consider before you know that you’re truly ready to own a pet. You need to do your research on the subject and find yourself the right kind of pet which can fit perfectly in your lifestyle, routine, family, and home; both, during the lockdown and even after it.

Pets aren’t temporary house guests; they are a part of the family and will continue to be down the road. Make sure to keep the following crucial points in mind when deciding to get a pet or not:

Age of the child at home

Toddlers and infants don’t have a hold on their impulses and anger. They can harm the poor pet out of sheer frustration by pulling their fur or sitting on them, or by simply giving them a whack on the hump because they don’t know any better at that precarious age. If you do end up getting a pet for them or already have one, make sure to keep an eye out on your child when they’re interacting with the animal. Check for any signs of fear and anxiety in the pet’s body language.

Have a discussion with your child before deciding on getting a pet.

Your child might be on cloud nine when they hear that you’re considering bringing home a furry friend. But it falls on you to tell them about the weight of the decision and the responsibility it confines one to. Plan and divide the chores in advance, to give them an idea of what they’re in for. But as the parent, you’ll have to realize that the brunt of the duty is going to fall on your shoulders, and whether or not you are capable of taking it on. You have to make sure that this turns out to be a positive experience for everyone involved in the long-term.

Chances are you might not connect with them.

Although this is the bitter truth, it is common to find that your relation with your pet is not as close and compassionate as you would have liked. Or that the pet highly prefers one or two members of the family and ignores the rest. This can get tricky if it’s the child the pet doesn’t take a liking to. Children can be very sensitive to such rejection from an animal. It can even lead them to be cold or violent towards the animal in order to get a response from it. It is advised to be patient in such circumstances, to be able to earn the trust of the creature.

Keep in mind some of the less adorable and cute aspects.

When we look at pets on our social media feeds or pet someone else’s animal for 2 minutes in the park, we are often not exposed to the full picture concerning these pets. We are only looking at the positive points as nobody likes to show the negatives on their social media account. You don’t look at posts of their fur constantly shedding; them stinking; them contracting lice and a variety of fleas; or how they scratch and drool on household furniture and items; how they might make loud barking or yowling noises when scared and nervous.

Countless research and reports over the years have shown how kids who have a pet at home are rewarded by a much better off physiological and mental boost than the kids who don’t have a pet. There remain many pros to having a pet such as:

A better-off immunity.

Having pets exposes one to various germs, bacteria, and other allergens. They bring most of these pathogens from the outside and transmit it to us in numerous ways. It can either be through us petting them, or it can be through them licking at us, as their tongues are also a host for many such pathogens. Thus, exposure to such conditions early in life can help build a stronger immune system and increase our body’s defenses. This phenomenon is recorded as children with pets are less likely to develop asthma or common allergies, or even cold and other respiratory infections.

They can help kids open up.

If you have a kid at home whom you feel is overly introverted and shy, then a pet might just be the exact thing you’re looking for. Kids feel much more secure in confiding their secrets, private thoughts, and reservations to their pets. This way they don’t have to bottle up things inside them. It is a perfect outlet for them. Pets don’t judge them or provide any unsolicited advice in return either, they just go on to love you the same. Parents can join in too, and free their mind up by talking to the pet.

Builds confidence to speak aloud and help speech development.

Kids who are shy are often self-conscious about the way they talk and speak. Having a pet as a companion provides them with the opportunity to speak out loud by giving them commands, talking to them, and laughing and playing with them. This way they get more habitual and used to their own voice and using it. Also, many children register a hard time when reading out loud; they have difficulties and are often anxious. But again, reading to your pets can make this entire process much easier for your kids as they will be less nervous and consequently get a decent practice out of it.

Learning how to care for a living thing.

Instilling qualities of caregiving when young, can help shape a conscientious adult. They realize early on that they have a living them depending on them entirely, who they end up being responsible for. It can also give a purpose and direction to their childhood. They need to perform chores on a routine basis revolving around the animal, which can help build stability in their life.

Help holistic development in the child.

Animals are a connection to nature, a connection that seems to be disappearing in this urban city environment. Non-verbal communication patterns are established that helps interpret different body languages. These traits transfer to relationships with fellow beings. Thus, healthier relationships can be developed on the foundations of trust developed with the pet. Treating an animal with compassion and kindness can be signs of a socially and emotionally healthy individual. 

During this lockdown, the demand for house pets has surged greatly as people need company now more than ever. But they can do much more than just be an extra living thing in the house. They can:

Provide us with comfort contact and touch.

We are a race of physical beings who crave for contact as an essential requisite. This need of ours is wonderfully satisfied with the unrequited love our pets provide us with. They nuzzle against us, begging to be pet and given belly rubs, cuddles, and hugs. They are also required to be groomed and bathed which makes sure we get all the physical contact our mind desires during these times of isolation.

Help maintain routine and stability.

No matter how ruthlessly your and your family’s routine has been shattered this pandemic, your pet still has the same needs as before. You still need to take your pet out for walks and bathroom breaks. They also need to be groomed, fed, and cleaned after. Looking after them in the face of adversity can help bring along some sense of normalcy. And they provide us with the same feelings of love and affection as before, as they remain oblivious to the woes of the time. 

Kids learn proper etiquette about pet ownership from their parents. So, make sure that you be a proper role model with the way you deal and interact with the house pet.