Hey moms, we’ve got news for you! The age-old question of “Are family pets good for your kids?” is now going to be addressed.

To start off, we first have to go over the history of having domesticated animals as pets. Probably one of the very first animals to have been domesticated are dogs. They have been with humans for a very long time now. Eventually earning the title of “man’s best friend”, dogs have been serving humans since the hunting ages and now, as family pets, security dogs, and service dogs.

Today, surveys have shown that in the United States alone, more than 20.3 million birds, 94.2 million cats, 89.7 million dogs, 7.6 million horses, 139.3 million freshwater fishes, 18.8 million saltwater fishes, 9.4 million reptiles, and 14.0 million small animals are currently owned by Americans as pets. This is according to the breakdown of pet ownership in the U.S. according to the 2017-2018 APPA National Pet Owners Survey.

So, now that we have the history and the figures, let’s get into the vital question: Are family pets good for your kids? Research says YES!

According to studies, children who have grown up in family homes that have pets are less likely to develop asthma. Their immune systems are more developed and are relatively stronger than those who grew up in homes that do not have family pets.

Also, having pets encourages and develops a sense of responsibility in your kids. Since these pets are dependent on the household for care and necessities, your kids may take part in caring for the pets by feeding them when they are hungry and giving them baths when the need arises.

Not only that, even adult family members can benefit from pet ownership. Playing with cats and dogs may help in lowering the blood pressure of its owners and visitors. It also encourages exercise since play time with them requires a lot of physical movement.

Adding to those, research suggests that owning family pets is good for the mental well-being of your children. It helps them develop a higher sense of self-esteem and self-confidence. The findings show positive impact on children’s development.

All in all, the advantages of having family pets outweigh the bad. The important thing is to choose a family pet wisely. In choosing a family pet there are many considerations you have to take into account.

First and foremost, where you get your family pet is essential. Be it from a pet shelter or from a pet shop, it is of utmost importance that the family pet you choose to bring home is one that is well-trained and one that has passed coat tests, like the dogs from Pride & Prejudoodles (https://www.prideandprejudoodles.com/).

Second, you have to consider your family income’s capacity to own and maintain a family pet. Veterinarian fees, pet food, pet vitamins, and pet injections should be among your considerations. Is your family budget enough to cover these expenses? Also, does your family have enough time to take care of them? Remember, owning a pet comes with not only pleasure but also a lot of responsibility.