Northern Ireland


SPRING 2015


Are Pets Good for Children? by Anne Marie Scanlon I


n a word, yes. Many surveys have concluded that pet ownership is good for individuals, for families and for children. The benefits of having a pet include improved health, less stress and of course, companionship. According to the RSPCA website “having a dog can help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Dog companionship can improve a child’s social skills with people and caring for a pet can encourage responsibility.” Studies in Finland, the USA and the UK have stated that there are health benefits for children who grow up in houses where pets live. In Finland researchers found that babies exposed to dogs and cats had fewer ear infections, coughs and runny noses and were less likely to need antibiotics than their contemporaries. In the US some studies suggest that children who grow up with pets are less at risk of developing allergies and asthma. Other surveys in the United States suggest that pet-owning children do better academically. All told, there is little doubt that a child with a pet to care for develops a sense of responsibly, empathy, nurturing skills and a certain degree of independence (if they are put in charge of some or all of the pet’s care).


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DOG DAYS AHEAD Dogs are one of the most popular pets and it’s easy to see why – dogs are very like people – they have distinctive personalities, likes and dislikes. But dogs are not furry people, they are animals and need to be respected as such. The RSPCA website warns that “children are far more likely to be bitten by their family dog than others.” If you have a dog, or are thinking of getting one, remember that children need to be supervised whilst playing with it and you should never leave any child alone with a dog.


Another obvious side effect of dog ownership is increased exercise as dogs need to be walked. From the dog’s point of view a walk isn’t merely about getting enough exercise but about getting mental stimulation. Dogs get bored and this is one of the reasons why animal experts advise against bringing dogs into households that are empty all day. Before committing to a dog – and it is a commitment as most dogs will live at least a decade, you need to think things through. Do you have enough space? Will you be able to give the dog sufficient exercise? Will there be someone around to keep the dog company during the day? Then there’s the debate about


getting a puppy or a rescue dog. The puppy will grow up in your home and your family can be pretty certain of the dog’s personality, but puppies are hard work – toilet training for example. Getting a rescue dog is a laudable thing to do but bringing an older dog, whose background and personality are not fully known, into a house with children is tricky.


CATS, BUNNIES AND RATS! Cats are generally less labour- intensive than dogs but can provide the same amount of comfort and love for families and children. As with a dog, if you are buying kittens go to a reputable breeder and if you are rehoming a stray or rescue cat do so through a legitimate animal shelter.


Some people think small furry creatures (rodents, basically) are the best solution for providing their kids with pets - but remember not all small furry creatures are the same. Hamsters are popular pets but they are nocturnal, they don’t like being handled much, can be a bit nippy and aggressive and generally live between two to three years. Guinea Pigs are pretty docile and experts recommend getting two to keep each other company. They live approximately five years. Gerbils live about two years, are very


sensitive to changes in their environment and don’t react well to humidity. Given the choice between rats and lovely cuddly Easter Bunnies most parents would probably pick the bunnies. In fact rats make better pets for children! Rats are pretty smart, sociable, like to learn tricks and don’t mind being handled. Rabbits on the other paw are generally not keen to be picked up and have been known to injure themselves in an effort to get away, not to mention biting and scratching the person holding them. The benefits of pet ownership are huge but having a pet, no matter how big or small, involves patience, time, effort and money.


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