How Your Child Can Benefit From Owning A Pet

March 31, 2015

by Natalie Secretan

So your child has come to you asking for a hamster. What do you do?

Your first reaction might be to say no, because you know who will be stuck cleaning its cage and making sure it’s properly fed and watered. But maybe you should reconsider.

Hamsters are fun little creatures and require little in the way of maintenance. They mostly sleep all day and come alive in the evening. Perfect for when the kids come home from school, have had dinner and finished their homework. Plus it keeps the kids off the computer and encourages interaction with something living and breathing.

Playtime with the hamster is also a great way for the whole family to bond and have fun together. There are many great toys for hamsters, like the hamster balls, tubular mazes and running tracks. You can even make your own obstacle course or mouse house, which you can turn into a fun project for the whole family.

More importantly though, studies have shown that owning a pet can help with a child’s learning and development. At around the age of 5 or 6, children start to develop empathy. Having something to love and care for is a good way to nurture this. In particular, boys benefit from having a pet and being responsible for the care of another living creature. Something girls often practice in playing house or with their dolls. All of this can lead to good parenting skills later in life.

It's important to develop nurturing skills in children and it's something that needs to be taught. Just because you nurture your child doesn't mean they will grow up to be nurturing too. They have to practice these skills and pets give a child that opportunity, to express themselves by loving, feeding and cleaning another living creature. It's immensely rewarding for a child to feel they are responsible for the safety of this animal, and in turn, the pet will grow to trust the child and form a bond. 

Having a furry companion to turn to in times of stress or when your child is angry or sad is also a great source of comfort:

"Kids who get support from their animal companions were rated by their parents as less anxious and withdrawn," Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children, Gail F. Melson, PhD.

Parents have also noted that they've seen their children talking or reading to their pets. They say it's a great incentive to get them to do their homework when they can share it with their pet, particularly when it comes to reading out loud. Pets offer that unconditional love; they don't judge, they just offer constant love and that's got to be good for anyone of any age.

So a hamster is more than just a furry mouse in a cage. For your child, a hamster means a whole new world of learning, discovery and development. 

Source: Parents.com

Photo Credit: cdrussorusso