Dr. Cynthia Maro

The joys and responsibilities of pet interactions and ownership are numerous.
For adults, the emotional connection and the act of interacting physically with animals, whether owned or just visiting, have been well-documented through many research studies. Blood pressure improves and levels of serotonin increase when people pet a dog, cat, rabbit or guinea pig.
For kids, the benefits of pet ownership are just as important. Want your kids to learn how to connect while off the iPad, cell phone or other technological device?
A four-legged friend may be an ideal answer to many of the problems kids face currently. If your child expresses interest in having a pet, the opportunity for engagement with an animal may fulfill many of their social needs, while helping them feel loved and connected.
Benefits of pet ownership for kids include:
- Improved self-confidence.
- Improved non-verbal communication skills and empathy for others.
- Less anxiety and more acceptance; having someone to share secrets with and talk to.
- Improved levels of responsibility in childhood and adulthood.
- Lower risk for allergies and asthma.
- Improved resiliency with challenges at school and decreased negative effects from bullying.
- More physical activity and engagement, while getting outdoors and looking after a pet.
What kinds of pets are ideal for kids?
Dogs demand the most interactive care and exercise, so they would also help kids develop higher levels of responsibility. Not all kids are ready for a high level of responsibility, so if your child struggles with remembering to take the trash out, you may want to choose a pet with less intense needs than a dog/puppy.
Cats and pocket pets can thrive without multiple walks daily, so consider starting out with a cat or guinea pig. When a child has successfully cared for, maintained litter and kept a pet healthy for a year (without an adult’s constant intervention and badgering), they can graduate to caring for a dog.
When it comes to getting a pet dog, keep in mind that not all breeds of dogs are great first pets for kids.
Breeds which can be great pets, but are often too intense for young kids include the herding breeds, such as Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs, German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds. These breeds are great for older kids who have interest in training and competing with dogs, but I would suggest waiting until a child demonstrates a great deal of responsibility and commitment to training. Kids who are 10-12+ can join dog clubs and classes to develop their training skills, whole their dogs develop their agility and performance skills.
Dog breeds that are great for younger kids include the Havanese, Bichon, Boxer, Labradoodle, Vizsla, Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever dogs.
As a parent, you can help kids learn about different breeds, their adult size and their needs for daily interaction by visiting websites, attending dog shows and talking with breeders.
Visiting shelters and learning about mixed breed animals and asking why particular pets were surrendered is also a great learning opportunity for you and your kids.
Prior to obtaining a dog, find a dog behaviorist and ask about getting on a waitlist for classes once you have a dog. You may even ask if you and your kids can watch a few classes, so your children can see the types of challenges dog owners face with training different breeds.
Once a dog comes home, be sure your entire family is involved with training, so everyone is consistently discouraging poor behavior and encouraging good behavior with the same rewards and deterrents.
And I strongly recommend getting your pet into training classes as soon as possible (those classes help your family learn how to communicate better with your pet and one another).
If you’re still not sure if pet ownership is right for your kid(s), think about having a pre-adoption consult with a veterinarian. Be sure the kids are present and bring all your questions and concerns. A veterinarian will tell you more of the good, bad and ugly regarding the health and temperament of different species and breeds than you will often get from a breeder who is slightly biased towards their chosen breed.
I encourage parents to get pets prior to the holidays, so this time of year makes sense for kids and animals to learn their routines and get outdoors together.
Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like to have addressed, email [email protected].
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