Benefits of Pets for Kids - Petting Calms Everyone

When my kids were growing up, our backyard was the neighborhood play yard. We had a great climbing tree, garden spots, lots of hiding places and a special “structure.” The girls used it for a playhouse. The boys used it as a club house. There was a constant power struggle between the two groups to see who got to play in the “house.” Invariably there were tears involved. Knowing full well that the elements of surprise and diversion work better than sympathy and negotiation when it comes to tears, I developed what turned out to be a full proof answer to which ever child came crying. Cinder Mittens, our black house cat was the answer. As soon as I heard sobs coming my way, I grabbed the cat in one hand and the phone in the other. I met the child at the door, cautioned him/her to “shhhhh” while pointing at the phone, put the cat in his or her arms and whispered: “She still needs 25 “pets” before she’s finished. Can you pet her while I’m on the phone?” It immediately stopped the tears, calmed the child, pleased the cat and relieved my anxiety! Pets have a way of doing all that. Just one of the benefits of having a pet.

When Kids Are Old Enough to Care for Pets

My earliest memory of a pet is my cat, Fluffy. I was about five. I brought Fluffy to my pretend school room every day. She sat in my doll’s high chair. I liked to dress her in my doll’s clothes and brush her hair. I remember mother told me that I should be more gentle with Fluffy or she’d run away. It wasn’t long before she disappeared. I’ve felt guilty my whole life, but the experience improved my treatment of pets after that. Pet experts recommend that the best age for children to have pets is 8. That’s based on when they think children are capable of assuming for the care of a pet. I believe as parents we are the ones that should care for the pet. Let the children form their own bond with the pet while we model good pet care and gradually let them take over responsibility.