Most of you are pet owners. You already own a dog, cat or other pet, so know just, how beneficial having a furry, feathered or scaly friend in the family is. You are already pet fans, but not everyone feels that way.
What the Studies Say
Fortunately, that is starting to change as new studies are published that demonstrate just how beneficial pet ownership is. Here is a roundup of some of the most recent research.
Improves Reading Skills
A recent study carried out by the University of California showed that reading aloud to pets improved the reading skills of children that did it. The researcher found that kids liked reading to their pets. They felt more confident about reading aloud in front of a cat or dog than they did an adult, so were happy to read in that way on a regular basis. You can find out more about the results of this study, here.
Good For Emotional Development
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In addition, several studies carried out by Nienke Endenburg and Ben Baarda from Utrecht University showed that owning a pet was good for the emotional development of children. They were especially helpful for children who had low esteem. After owning and looking after a pet for just nine months all of the kids in the study reported feeling better about themselves, than they did at the start.
Owning a Dog Is Good For Baby And Toddler Health
Perhaps one of the most surprising studies I have seen is one that looked at the impact owning a dog had on the health of babies. A recent Swedish study showed that children lived around dogs and/or farm animals when they were babies were at a lower risk of developing asthma.
Other studies have shown that children who live in a home with a dog are also at a lower risk of contracting ear infections, and 29% less likely to need antibiotics. Amazingly, children with dogs in the home were healthy for 73% of the time, whereas those who lived without pets were only bug free for 65% of the year.
Owning the Right Pet Is Vital
However, if you are thinking about getting a pet you do need to be careful, and do your research. Breeders like Douglas Hall Kennels are very aware of the positive impact owning a pet can have on families. However, they also realise that it is important for people to own the right pet for them. As a result, they take the time to discuss the needs of the puppies that they sell with potential buying. Doing so helps people to understand exactly what they are taking on, and ensures that they are ready for the responsibility that comes with owning a dog.
This step is vital, because if you are not able to take care of your pet properly all of the above benefits will be lost. Instead, of being a source of joy your dog, cat or other pet will become a source of worry.