Benefits of Pets For Kids - COMMUNICATION

Lots of research has been done on the benefits of children having a pet. One of the basic things we know is that pets help kids communicate. To get their cat or dog, bunny or guinea pig, bird or mouse (etc) to do something kids have to talk to it. Even a toddler will learn to say a pet's name or "Come" or "Sit." Older kids will talk to their pet like their best friend. They'll share their secrets with their pet. Did you ever catch your child talking to his pet when s/he thought you weren't listening? It can be enlightening!

Benefits of Pets for Kids - Bonding With Each Other

Children Bond With Dogs


Researchers tell us that children bond with dogs more than any other pet. The good news is that dogs are known to prefer people to other species - so it makes a good match for kids and dogs! 


Studies were done with chimps and dogs to see which species could interpret human hand signals better. Dogs won, hands down! Chimps did not understand or respond to hand signals given by humans. Dogs, on the other hand, not only responded, they understood and reacted positively in almost every case! No wonder kids are more likely to bond with a dog - and thankfully they prefer them to chimps.  Dogs win!  Sorry about all the puns.

This BLOG for moms and dads discusses how caring for a pet instills positive character values in a child. Pets are a positive, fun and loving experience for a child. Whether your family can have a pet or not, if given the opportunity your child can develop a love for animals that help him or her develop character values that will last a lifetime. Try some of our ideas and send us your own to share!

Connections with Pets Are Some of Strongest In Kids Lives

Some of the strongest and longest connections in a child's life are their relationships with pets! For instance, when families move, their pets move with them but their friends don't. Sadly, due to divorce or death, sometimes a pet is with a child longer than his or her grandparents or even one of the parents. The consistency of having their best friend with them gives children strength and helps them feel safe.

Pets Make Kids Feel Special

Pets provide comfort, friendship, unconditional love and blind devotion to family members. Every child deserves to feel special and to be loved for who he is - and pets treat their kids that way. Pets don't criticize or judge their kids, they just love them.

Pets Do Funny Things, Pets Make Us Laugh


Pets add so much fun to our lives. Dog, cat, bird, horse, critter - no matter what the pet they do funny things that make us laugh. They're a source of hugs, kisses, cuddles and giggles. They entertain us. Their actions make us smile. They make us feel better! We celebrate the good things pets bring to our lives. Some of our pets even smile at us!

Pets Help Children Communicate

Even the smallest children will want to communicate more when they have a pet to talk about. They want to talk to us about their pet and tell us what s/he did, where he sleeps, what she eats. They may even try to talk to their pet. As kids get older, they do talk to their pets. Many pets are trained to be therapy dogs (cats, bunnies, even horses!) who LISTEN to kids read to help improve their reading and communication skills! (Tests show reading levels improve when kids read to pets.) We can't forget that talking to our kids about pets in general or especially about the family pet helps kids learn to communicate! Picture by sheknows.com