Getting a pet in a home is like having a new baby, no matter which pet you opt for. There are many things to consider before you give in to your child’s repeated pleas for a furry pal. Clinical psychologist Prachi S Vaish lays it down in black and white for you.
Sunny side up
Sense of responsibility
Having a pet to care for puts your child in a similar situation as you having to care for him. He learns about responsibility and nurture and this in turn might lead him to be more understanding towards your demands of him.
Empathy
Pets are an excellent way to teach children about empathy i.e. the ability to put oneself in another’s shoes. It helps to tame their aggressive streak, if any, when they see that it causes pain to their pet that they love.
All-season pal
When your child has a furry buddy to play with, you can be sure that he has a permanent friend. Pets are always devoted to their masters and all they ever demand is love. You child doesn’t have to try at all with it to make friends, and that’s why he will never be lonely.
Cheer-upper
When your kid is feeling low there’s nothing a wag of a tail, a friendly lick or the swish of a goldfish, can’t cure! A pet is the perfect prescription to bring a smile on that sad face in a jiffy.
The cons
Despite so many wonderful upsides to having a pet for your child, there are some disadvantages too.
Pet allergies
Your child may be susceptible to pet allergies that can be caused by animal saliva, urine, feces or skin flakes. Animal fur can serve as a trap for pollen and other allergens if your child is allergic.
Extra work for you
If you decide to get a pet you have to accept that you will be responsible for its care most of the time. A child, with his fickle attention span cannot be expected to keep a check on the pet and care for his needs all day. For them a pet is just something to play with, like their toys. So you must consider the added responsibility you will bear when you get a pet.
Jealousy
Pets have been known to get possessive about their masters and do not like to share them with anyone. So your dog may get too attached to you and not like the attention you give to your child; or conversely, it may get so possessive about your kid that it gets aggressive towards anyone who is close to him.
Death
For some reason if the pet falls sick or dies, it can be very traumatic for your child. Therefore you must consider this point very carefully before bringing a pet into your home and heart; or you can wait for your child to grow a little older when he can grasp the concept of death.
Expenses
Last, but not the least, you have to consider the expense and time invested that will be incurred in maintaining a pet. Even a pair of goldfish in a bowl requires frequent cleaning, feeding and care that take time and money. Therefore if with all the household expense and the cost of raising children it is imperative to work out what the pet will cost you.
If all these pros and cons can be weighed carefully and tackled, there is no reason why your child cannot enjoy the company of a friend that will fill his heart with joy.
