3 Ways Only Children Benefit from Having a Pet
When I was growing up as an only child, I wanted a pet more than anything. Every day I would beg my parents for a pet, but I still wasn’t allowed to have one. So instead, my mom got me Petster, a robot cat. Petster was a large, furry robot, complete with large blinking eyes, a long tail, and the ability to understand voice commands. Petster even purred convincingly. I loved that robot cat and played with it daily. Petster was similar to a modern day Roomba, only it didn’t vacuum. It just wandered aimlessly around the house, purring, on its roller wheels.
While I was quite fond of Petster my robot cat, it didn’t compare to the benefits I would have gained from having a real pet at home.
Most children like animals and would love to have their own pet. From dogs and cats to non-traditional pets like a lizard, frog or hermit crab, there are a variety of pets to fit every lifestyle and budget. But only children especially can benefit from having pets. A pet can be another source of companionship and joy for only children. Read on to learn about three ways only children can benefit from having a pet.
- Pets provide companionship
Only children sometimes feel lonely. I know I did when I was growing up as an only child. At home they don’t have a sibling to play with, their parents might be busy doing their own work or household chores, and friends may be unavailable for playdates. In these instances, a pet can fill the companionship gap. Kids can talk to their pet, snuggle with their pet and involve the pet in games or pretend play. Kids can play fetch with a dog outdoors, play with a fishing pole toy with a cat indoors, or simply sit side by side with their pet while watching a movie. Additionally, pets have been shown to reduce stress — petting a dog or cat releases serotonin, which is the stress-reducing hormone. So if a child is stressed or upset, snuggling a pet can reduce their stress and provide needed companionship.
2. Pets teach responsibility
Taking care of a pet is a lot of work! They have daily needs, from feeding and waking, to playtime and grooming. But at the same time, pets teach responsibility because your child can be involved in their daily care. Helping to raise a pet increases children’s self-esteem because they get a huge sense of accomplishment from even small tasks like refilling the food and water bowls. Even preschool age children can help out with a pet’s care, handing out treats or helping to brush the cat. Older kids can take a dog out for a walk and clean fish tanks or reptile cages. Knowing that they are helping with the daily care of their beloved pet increases kids’ confidence levels.
3. Pets teach social skills and empathy
Interacting with a pet teaches kids social skills and empathy. Since pets can’t talk and communicate in other ways, kids need to read between the lines to figure out what their pet needs or is feeling. If the fur on a cat’s tail is bristling, what does this mean? Is the cat feeling happy or scared? Observing pets’ behavior and body language can teach kids a lot about social skills. Kids can also learn a lot by watching pets interact with each other and seeing how they communicate. If a pet is going through an illness, kids can learn how to empathize with what their pet is going through.
Final Thoughts
Pets are a great companion choice for only children. Their benefits are many, and the relationship between only children and their pets is one that will continue to grow and blossom throughout the years.
