Should We Get A Dog? 4 Reasons Why A Owning A Dog Can Benefit Your Family

This is a collaborative post

It’s pretty much impossible not to love a dog. They’re some of the most loving, joyful and affectionate animals, and they truly make the world a better place. Dogs are also brilliant with children, and if you’re thinking about bringing a dog into your family, then you will probably already know this.

Dogs however are also pretty expensive to look after, and require food, toys and entertainment- not to mention vet’s bills- so you need to make sure that you’re financially stable enough to properly take care of one.

Dogs thrive off attention from humans, so if your house is often empty, then you’d have to consider whether it would be fair to own a pet.

But if you’re a parent, then chances are, you can’t remember the last time that your house was quiet or empty. Kids need entertaining, and so do dogs- so there really is no better combination than a child and a dog. In case you need some more persuading, here are 4 reasons who owning a dog can benefit your family:

A Stronger Immune System

As your child grows, their immune system is put to the test every time they catch a cold or a virus. Each time it’s tested, it becomes stronger. That’s why bringing your child up with a dog can really benefit their immune system.

Dogs aren’t always the most hygienic of animals, and each time they lick your child’s face or bring in dirt from outside, they’re exposing your child’s immune system to new germs. But contrary to making your child ill, these germs help to activate a child’s immune response, making them less likely to fall ill in the future.

In fact, research has found that babies who grow up in a household with a pet are less likely to get sick than children who live in a pet-free house.

Say Goodbye to Loneliness

A dog is a man’s best friend for good reason. Loneliness effects as many as nine million people in the U.K, and multiple studies have found that owning a pet can greatly reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Particularly during these COVID times, there has been a significant rise in people adopting pets to help combat feelings of loneliness during lockdown.

Childhood is undoubtedly a fun age, but growing up, children also have to navigate conflicts and differences of opinion between themselves and others. And for the times where they feel like they have no one else to turn to, a dog will always be there for them.

A pet is such a huge part of a child’s life, and if you grew up with your own pet, then you can probably remember that you considered them to be one of your best friends. Such a valuable relationship is the key to a happy childhood.

Children love to play and so do dogs- and playing together is enjoyable since toys such as ball launchers and pull ropes are simple enough for even a small child to use. If you’re unsure on what toys are best for dogs, then head to an online pet shop like Time for Paws Website to browse through hundreds of great options. They offer toys that aren’t often available on the high street, ranging from treat balls to dog bubbles, activity flip boards and specialist puppy toys.

Trust, Responsibility and Compassion

Children have to learn to regulate their emotions, and over time, they will learn important traits like compassion and empathy.

Owning a dog is likely to boost a child’s emotional intelligence and life skills, and teaches them these important traits at a younger age.

Looking after a pet is a huge responsibility, and children over five years old can be assigned appropriate responsibilities in regards to the care of the pet. Simply giving your child the task of refilling their dog’s water bowl can help boost their memory, expand their empathy and improve their nurturing skills.

With responsibility comes compassion, and as your child spends time looking after another living being, they will begin to understand more about how the world works. Other emotional benefits include trust, loyalty, patience, social skills and empathy.

Improved Health

We’ve already established that owning a dog can result in a stronger immune system, but let’s look into exactly how this can benefit your family. Studies have found that pet owners have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets, as well as higher levels of serotonin and dopamine, which help us to relax.

On the topic of mental health, pet owners are less likely to suffer with depression, due to the therapeutic nature of our pets. Dogs fulfil our basic human need for touch, and mutual affection between an animal and a human can have a rapidly calming effect.