Pets are more popular than ever before. They can bring untold joy and happiness into our lives; they act as companions who are with us through the thick and thin. Whether you live alone or in a big family, a pet can be the perfect addition and comes with a number of benefits.
For families with children, a pet can be a wonderful choice that can really tie together the ideal family unit. Let’s take a look at some of the best pets for families with young children and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. Keep reading to find out more.
Dogs
A dog is the quintessential pet, there’s a reason they’re known as man’s best friend. Getting a dog can enrich you and your family’s lives in innumerable ways, with many families seeing their dog as nothing less than an additional (slightly furrier) child.
Dogs absolutely love to play, making them the perfect pet for a household with active children. However, amongst the rough and tumble, dogs can often pick up injuries. Insuring them as soon as possible can help reduce the risk of having to cover any future vet bills. Pet insurers like Petsure for example can help you find comprehensive insurance plans for dogs as well as other animals.
Dogs can be the perfect choice of pet for children of most ages. Studies have shown that young children who grow up with a dog often display less conduct and behavioral issues later in life.
Cats
After dogs, cats are the most popular choice of pet for owners in the UK. These mysterious felines are often unfairly maligned as aloof, unfriendly, or even arrogant. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, cats can be every bit as loving and affectionate as dogs, they just display these emotions in different ways.
Generally, cats are slower to trust than dogs. When considering getting a cat for your children, you’ll need to keep this in mind. Your children will need to let the cat acclimatize at its own pace, without being rushed or forced. This can be a great way to teach your children patience, which will be rewarded with the devotion of a loyal and entertaining pet.
Rats
The idea of keeping rats in the home as pets can make some people recoil in horror. These little rodents have an unfair reputation as dirty, disease spreading animals. In fact, rats are incredibly clean and highly intelligent creatures that can prove to be affectionate and fun pets for children of all ages.
They are hardy animals that will eat almost anything, so caring for them is relatively low maintenance and children will enjoy feeding them treats like food and vegetables. Their intelligence means they can be taught a range of tricks and they love to get out of their cage and explore their surroundings.
However, rats will get lonely and depressed if kept alone, so always get at least two. Additionally, rats only live for around three years, which can be upsetting given how quickly your children will bond with them.
Conclusion
Getting a pet for your family and children can be a wonderful decision that offers a number of benefits for you and your family. Caring for another animal will teach your children about responsibility and organization, while learning how to interact with their pet will teach them patience and how to act with kindness. Whether it’s a dog, cat, rat, or any other animal, getting a pet for your young children can instill in them values that they will carry for the rest of their lives.
