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Pets Can Help Keep Children Healthier!
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It’s wonderful to see a child with a pet, but did you know that there is scientific evidence to support the idea that this unique bond can also be good for a child’s physical and emotional health?
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| Research shows that children with pets could have less risk of developing allergies. One 2002 study concluded that families with pets had a 50% reduction in childhood allergies. Children in families that owned more pets seemed to have even lower allergic responses. Conversely, indications are that when children do not come in contact with pets at a young age, their immune system may overreact to everyday things in their environment. Pets may stimulate a healthy immune response in children early in life. This could mean a smaller chance of allergies and asthma. |
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Children with pets are usually more active because they walk, run, and chase their pets. The news is filled with concerns about overweight children. What better way to get exercise than having fun with your pet?
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Children with pets also tend to have better social skills. Studies have shown that boys do not have the same opportunities or interest in learning nurturing skills, but a pet can fill this void by allowing girls and boys to care for others.
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| Children who have a pet may also have a lower risk of becoming depressed. In addition, an animal can help children overcome shyness and provide emotional and physical comfort with unconditional love, approval, and closeness. |
| Pets can even improve a child’s IQ! One 1996 study showed that children with pets had average IQ’s that were five points higher than those without a pet. Could it be that this higher IQ was a result of having more stimulation by having a constant companion to talk to and play with? |
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Of course, some parents worry that a pet may bite a child or give him an infection. While this is a possibility, the benefits of having a pet seem to far outweigh the risks. You can keep your pet and your child safe by preparing your pet when a child is on the way!
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Begin making changes to your pet's routine as early as possible! Here is a list of things that you can do to prepare your pet for the new family member!
1. Change one behavior at a time to give your pet a chance to adjust.
2. Begin to reduce the amount of time that you spend with your pet. This will become a necessity once the baby arrives, and a sudden change may make your pet feel abandoned and displaced.
3. Ask a friend or family member to help out by playing with or walking your pet now. After the baby arrives, this extra "friend" will be a welcomed companion and a chance for special attention.
4. Take your pet to a park or to other places where they might have a chance to become accustomed to babies and small children.
5. Find a place for the pet to sleep that is quiet. This should be a spot where the pet can find refuge from exploring babies and high energy toddlers. This can make the animal feel more secure. Older pets will especially need a break from the increased activity. If you have allowed the pet to sleep with you, begin to change this arrangement before the baby arrives. Again, making gradual changes will be easier on everyone.
6. You can never compromise on safety. Maintain consistent training techniques with your animals to communicate acceptable behaviors. You can use the love and trust that you and your pets already have to make the new baby seem like a positive change. A gentle and loving approach enhances the animal's natural desire to please you.
7. Check with your vet or pet trainer for their recommendations.
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As your children grow, teach them how to be gentle and safe around all pets. By giving them a pet, children can enjoy this special chance to stop and smell the roses! Pets provide a reason to play and they make us laugh! They let us blow off steam or give us someone to cuddle and love and they are always there when we just want to sit quietly with a special friend.
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dogonfunny.com wishes to thank the author, Jan Kilby RN, MS.
Ms. Kilby is an Education Specialist at
Franklin Square
Hospital
Center
in
Baltimore
,
Maryland
.
Jan has been a nurse for 35 years and she and her husband have raised two wonderful
children, a son and a d
aughter
.
She
is also a special friend to all of the animals in her neighborhood
! Jan
calls a herself a "real animal lover!"
Jan also developed a program entitled Pet Prep, to help parents-to-be prepare their pets for a new baby. For more information about this program, please visit the
Franklin Square
website www.franklinsquare.org
Ms. Kilby has also written an article entitled Smoking Dogs-The Facts about Secondhand Smoke and Dogs! To read this article, click HERE.
Jan Kilby RN, MS
Community Health Education
Franklin Square
Hospital
Center
9000 Franklin Square Drive
Baltimore
,
Maryland
21237
(
443) 777-7823
jan.kilby@medstar.net
Further information on this topic can be found in the May 2003 article supplement of Contemporary Pediatrics, entitled “Pets and Children: A Healthy Combination,” by Marty Becker and Edward Creagan.
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