15 Reasons Why You Should Get Your Kids A Dog
Are dogs good for kids? As a dog-owner, you likely know the significant benefits of having one - loyalty, friendship, regular activity pal, and the obvious being your best companion. After all, dogs are on the most beloved pets in the world, and for good reason.
Dogs are loyal, affectionate, and playful companions that provide comfort, security, and even protection for their owners and kids.
Overall, getting kids a dog is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It requires commitment to providing adequate care for your dog’s health and wellbeing.
Dogs require regular exercise and attention, which can be difficult to manage with a busy lifestyle. Dealing with their poop is unpleasant and time-consuming.
Dogs also come with odors, hair, fleas, and chew marks that can be difficult to manage in certain living situations.
But did you know there are a lot of advantages kids a dog get from having a dog around? It’s true!
Dogs Teach Kids all about Responsibility
By involving your children in walking, bathing and feeding the dog, they learn valuable life lessons about taking care of other living beings.
Not wanting to constantly walk the dog, groom it, and feed it? No worries, your kids will do that for you.
Dogs teach kids all about responsibility and how hard, but necessarily it is to care for another living thing.
It will help children learn to take initiative, remain grounded, and teach them that another living thing depends on them.
Dogs Help the Immune System
A study revealed that babies who grow up in households with a dog are less likely to get colds and respiratory infections.
Children who grow up in households with a dog experience fewer illnesses. One study even showed that having a dog in the home can decrease respiratory infections in babies.
Having family dogs around will expose kids to various germs and bacteria, which helps their immune system develop defenses against illnesses, thus protecting them from other threats as they grow up.
Dogs keep Kids Exercising
These days, too many kids prefer to stay indoors playing video games instead of going outdoors; if your kids a dog, it is an excellent opportunity for your children to be active and explore the outdoors.
Kids who own a dog typically get outside more and are more active. After all, kids have energy and love to play. But what may come as a surprise is the amount of extra physical activity that kids with pets actually get compared to those without.
According to research, children with dogs spend 11 more minutes doing physical activity each day than those without. That’s over 4000 minutes of extra activity a year!
The health benefits associated with this additional physical activity are huge. Not only does it help build strong bones and muscles, but it also helps reduce stress levels and improve overall mental health. It can even help reduce the risk of obesity in children by encouraging them to stay active and burn off excess calories.
Plus, playing outdoors with their dogs can help foster a sense of responsibility in young children as they learn how to care for their furry friend.
Having a dog can be an incredibly rewarding experience for both the child and the pet alike!
A Dog and an Only Child
Research has shown that an only child who gets a dog usually experiences less loneliness and sees the dog as a substitute sibling.
By getting a dog, children learn to share their parents’ time and their own space, as well as be respectful, kind, and loving towards another living creature - just like they would with a brother or sister.
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Dogs Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
Playing with a cat or dog can help lower blood pressure, and it’s true! Petting a dog for just 15 minutes can lower blood pressure by 10%, according to a study from Tombola.
This is because spending time with your four-legged friend releases serotonin, oxytocin, prolactin and even lowers the stress hormone cortisol.
These hormones have calming effects on the body, which helps to reduce blood pressure.
The calming effect of playing with a dog can also be beneficial for those who suffer from anxiety or depression.
It has been shown that interacting with dogs can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, as well as providing comfort and companionship.
Playing with a dog can provide an outlet for physical activity, which is important for overall health and wellbeing.
So if you’re looking for ways to reduce your blood pressure naturally, why not give playing with a cat or dog a try?
Dogs Offer Protection for Kids
Owning a dog makes it less likely that you will experience a burglary or theft.
Dogs are excellent for security, as they are always alert and ready to bark or safeguard against potential robbers - particularly with kids in the home, since they are very protective of them.
Burglars are less likely to commit crimes knowing that dogs can alert the owner, attack them or reduce their chances of taking off with stolen items.
Dogs Keep Spirits High
It is alarming that so many children are now being diagnosed with depression.
Research shows that owning a dog can reduce the risk of your child contracting this illness.
Having a dog can help lower your stress levels and promote positive emotions.
Dog's enthusiasm to see their family makes it almost impossible for kids not to smile and feel better when they come home.
Dogs Keep Kids Active
Concerned about your children’s health? Adopt a dog.
Taking your child and dog out for regular walks is not only beneficial to your pup, but it also gives your child a chance to experience the a good deal of health benefits walking provides.
When kids run and play fetch with dogs, they get exercise without even realizing it - something they love to do!
Dogs Teach Children Unconditional Love
Having a dog will teach children how to love unconditionally. Kids with dogs to care for and rely on will also learn this lesson quickly compared to those without.
When children understand this idea, they’re able to apply it to the other people and children they encounter daily, even into adulthood.
Dogs Teach Selflessness
Before owning a dog, your child may have acted selfishly.
However, when a dog comes home with them, children realize that it’s not all about them; there are other things that need to be taken care of since dogs cannot take care of themselves.
This teaches children a sense of responsibility.
A Dog At Home Builds Confidence
To help a child become confident, getting kids a dog is a great idea.
Evidence suggests that those who are attached to their pet dogs are more connected with their environment and local community, allowing them to have a better understanding of themselves in the process.
If you can tell that your kid is too shy, allowing an energetic dog into your home may be the key to helping them be less closed off.
Dogs Help With Speech Development
Getting kids a dog may help your child who has a developmental delay, such as late speech, talk.
Children will probably attempt to give their dog simple commands and call its name. Also, they are certain to giggle and laugh out loud as they play together.
A dog can help open people up to speaking and understanding more. Once they learn the basics, their confidence in communicating will improve drastically.
Dogs Help Improve Social Skills
Some kids are not naturally outgoing. Research has found that best reasons for getting kids a dog makes the kids more outgoing.
This can help your child make and keep friends, and it will also help them be more outgoing in a group setting.
Dogs Are Smart For Your Heart
The American Heart Association states that owning a dog could decrease the risk of developing heart disease for all family members.
By taking your dog out on walks as a family, you will all get more exercise. Plus, you’ll form a strong relationship with your dog, which can help reduce your stress levels (more exercise combined with less stress equals a healthier heart).
Dogs Listen!
If your child needs a friend, some dog breeds are ideal for both mental and physical health benefits.
Dogs listen! They can act as a helpful confidant and provide emotional support if your child feels overwhelmed, depressed, or is encountering any other tough phase in life.
Even adults can benefit from expressing their emotions to a dog - it takes a weight off of your shoulders and you don’t need to worry about being judged.
Dogs Are Just Like Kids
Research has revealed that dogs and kids share many similarities. It is believed that the brains of both dogs and children are almost identical.
Therefore, getting kids a dog is an excellent way to keep them occupied at home and provide them with an instant companion.
Your kids will relate to your pets just like they would with other children and will be drawn to them right away.
Final Thoughts on Benefits of Kids Owning Dogs
One amazing psychological benefit that getting kids a dog has on humans is the capacity to teach us how to think quickly and creatively. Unless they practice and have a genuine requirement for it, many children don’t possess this skill.
When looking after a dog, children have to decide daily, and even quickly sometimes! This will also apply in school, when interacting with friends, and even in sports.
Do you now believe that it's beneficial for kids a dog? Research has revealed many advantages of getting a dog for your household.
Even though they shed, bark, drool, and sometimes smell bad, taking in a dog is one of the best experiences for yourself, your children, and you're wellbeing.
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