February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day!
Whether your pet is furry, scaly, spiky, feathery, pocket-sized or oversized, they have a remarkably positive effect on the health and well-being for children in the home—from providing joy and companionship to learning how to develop healthy relationships and take on responsibilities.
Providing comfort
For a kid, few things can beat the joy of snuggling up with the family beloved pet in front of a favorite TV show, while reading a book or after a tough day at school. Pets are always there, ready to offer unconditional love and companionship, making them the perfect comforters. Studies reveal that children who find solace in their pets tend to be less anxious and withdrawn.
Healthy relationships
Pets teach kids about healthy relationships by modeling inclusivity and a nonjudgmental attitude, expecting nothing more than love and care in return. Kids thrive on validation and praise, and forming a special bond with a pet helps them develop healthy attachments that can later be mirrored in their human relationships.
Understanding emotions
Pets are fantastic teachers when it comes to emotional identification and expression. They help kids learn to regulate their emotions and understand the subtle cues of body language and nonverbal communication, even at an early age.
By observing how pets react when they’re playful, scared, or threatened, children gain valuable insights into their own and others’ emotional responses. This kind of learning provides a rich opportunity for kids to reflect on their feelings and behaviors, fostering emotional intelligence. As a result, children become better equipped to engage with their peers and siblings in a positive and empathetic manner.
Reducing stress
The simple act of petting or caring for a pet can work wonders in reducing stress, thanks to the release of oxytocin–often called the “love” hormone–which helps foster feelings of attachment and trust. This is especially important for kids who have experienced trauma. As oxytocin levels rise and cortisol (the stress hormone) levels drop, both blood pressure and heart rate decrease, leading to better overall health and disease prevention.
Health benefits
Playing with pets offers fantastic health benefits by keeping children active. Whether it’s a lively game of chase around the house or a brisk walk around the block, pets encourage kids to get moving and take a break from their screens.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that kids aged 6-17 get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. While organized sports might not always be an option due to various factors, playing with a pet is an easy and fun way to stay active. This physical activity not only lowers the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension but also helps manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
Teaching responsibility
Caring for a pet, whether it involves feeding, cleaning, or exercising, is often one of the first domestic responsibilities that children take on. Studies show that encouraging kids to participate in age-appropriate chores and responsibilities boosts their self-esteem and helps them feel valued and empowered within the home. Engaging in daily pet care establishes a sense of routine and can develop time management skills, which is especially important for children who struggle with executive functioning skills.
Bringing families together
Pets also have a wonderful way of bringing busy families together, creating precious moments of reconnection. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be challenging to find time to bond as a family. However, a pet can serve as a delightful catalyst for togetherness. Whether it’s gathering to watch your dog perform a new trick, taking a family walk with your furry friend, or simply sharing a laugh at your cat’s playful antics, pets provide countless opportunities for shared experiences. These moments not only strengthen family bonds but also create lasting memories filled with joy and laughter. Pets remind us to slow down, enjoy the present and cherish the simple pleasures of life with our loved ones.
When parents join their kids in pet care, it becomes a wonderful opportunity for bonding and teaching important values like compassion, dependability, respect and safety. These shared responsibilities can translate into success in school, relationships and future employment opportunities.
Understanding grief and loss
While memories with pets can be some of the most joyful of childhood, losing a pet can be one of the most painful. The death or separation from a deeply loved pet is often a child’s first encounter with grief and loss. While incredibly challenging, the loss of a beloved pet offers a valuable opportunity to learn how to cope with grief in a healthy way.
Navigating the loss allows caregivers to encourage and normalize the expression of a wide range of emotions, from sadness and anger to confusion—all of which are natural parts of life. The grieving process can look different for everyone, including children, but generally includes stages of denial, anger, sadness and acceptance.
Kids might avoid talking about the loss initially, so it’s important for parents not to force the issue but to assure them that they are there whenever the child is ready to talk. It’s also crucial for parents to express their own feelings of sadness, showing kids that it’s okay to feel and share these emotions.
Losing a pet can help children develop skills for coping with grief, such as writing or drawing their feelings, discussing happy memories, or finding a comforting routine. Providing a chance for closure is important to allow children to begin the healing process. This can include holding a special ceremony commemorating the life of the pet with each sharing a funny or endearing memory or prayer. Children can also use artistic expression to create a scrapbook or photobook in memory of their special friend.
Experiencing loss first-hand opens the door for children to offer compassion and empathy to others going through similar experiences. I often remind my clients that they can transform their pain and hurt into a superpower, allowing them to comfort and help someone else in a unique way. Being on the giving end of empathy after receiving it can bring healing full circle.
The unbreakable bond children can develop with a pet is one that not only enriches their physical, emotional and social well-being and growth, but also leaves pawprints on their heart that can last a lifetime.
