The article on the beneficial impact a pet can bring to a child’s life is sponsored by Dollar General. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Benefits of Having a Pet:
You never really know the kind of void a pet can fill until you have one. Growing up, I always had cats and I loved them so much. They were great for cuddling. I still remember to this day making it a game with my brother and our cat, Snowball, when she was under the bed to dangle our feet and see if she could catch our feet with her paws. We had a few cats in my childhood and I was always so fond of my time with them. The longest relationship was with a cat we adopted in an animal shelter named Boo Boo. We had him for 15 years. I never really owned a dog until I met husband and gained a sweet Puggle named Bella. What was I missing my whole life? Geez, this dog gave me life and really taught me love. The best part is she was so loving once our baby girl came. They were best friends and Keatyn couldn’t get enough of her. She was almost 3 when she passed and while she was sad, she still wasn’t quite old enough to really grasp the situation. We got our current dog, Piper, shortly after for her birthday. Watching the relationship with them and raising Piper as a puppy has been stressful, but mostly beautiful and rewarding. I never knew how many benefits of having a pet there are between a child and their pet. If you’re thinking of adding a new pet to your family, here are a few options to consider:
Benefits of Having a Pet:
Welcoming a new pet is HUGE event for the family and your kids. Whether it’s a puppy, adopted older dog, kitten, cat, fish etc., you have to be prepared. It’s such an exciting time for your family, but it does take a little work at first. Everyone will be nervous and excited and you’ll just want to be prepared.
Make sure everyone is clear on their responsibilities. Mom can be charge of crate training, one kid can take the dog out to potty, one kid is on feeding duty, dad can change the litter box, etc.
Get the right supplies. Dollar General has an awesome checklist for new pet owners. It’s actually where I got all of Jonah’s (my cat) supplies when I first adopted him. If you’re getting a dog, you’ll definitely need a retractable leash to take your pup on walks. One with a good bit of length like this leash will help your pup get plenty of exercise. For food and water, a stainless steel dog food bowl is perfect because it resists bacteria and doesn’t rust, which makes it a more durable option for your new pet. Puppy pads or a litter box are needed ASAP when you get a new pet. Puppy pads are easy to clean up and can convenient for keeping your home accident free in the beginning stages of pet owning. If you are getting a cat, after you find the right litter box, you’ll need to get the right necessities like litter, a scooper and liners. Get stocked up on treats for your cat and your dog to reward them for good behavior. Consider starting training as soon as possible and reinforce good behavior with treats. My cat lives for the Temptations treats and runs when I shake the bag. Now that you’re prepared with all the necessary products you’ll need, here are some reasons why animals are. (Keep scrolling)
How do you know how to choose the right pet? Honestly, I’m partial to dogs now after seeing the love they have for their owners, but they require a lot of attention that can be very hard for busy parents. Dogs don’t belong in a crate all day so if you don’t have the time to engage with them, take them for walks or outside to play, they may not be the right choice. Cats are way more independent so you don’t have to crate them.On the flip side, sometimes that independent persona doesn’t offer quite the companionship a dog can. There’s also the fish, hamster, rabbit, snake, lizard, etc. These pets are fun too and can teach your child responsibility, but again the bond might possibly not be as deep. It all depends on how much attention you’re willing to devote.
Pets teach responsibility. It’s difficult to enforce the rules of chores etc. as parent because you always want to care for your child and nurture them. As soon as my oldest was able, I started giving her duties like feeding the dog, giving water to the dog and cleaning up her toys. Now my youngest who is nearly 2 does those chores as well. It makes my kids feel like they are big like mom and dad, but also teaches them to care for someone else. Our furry friends help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them. When your child cares for an animal, it aids in training them to treat people kindly as well.
Pets help develop children develop social skills. I truly feel as if pets contribute to higher self esteem. When you’re developing positive feelings about pets, it helps contribute to a child’s self-confidence. It can also attribute to the development of trusting relationships with others. A pet helps to make your home feel safe and warm so children (and adults) feel that security and unconditional love/comfort day to day.
Pets help provide emotional support and companionship. Pets show your children unconditional acceptance. As a child, do you remember coming home after a tough day at school and how a hug from your furry friend made it all better? Fast forward to being an adult and it still makes me feel better. The love you receive from your pet is unimaginable and pure. Your pet can be an escape of the stress in world around you. Our oldest communicates with her dog like she’s a human. They are truly best friends.
Pets keep your children active. My kids and dog let loose in the yard and go nuts. It helps both my dog and children get physical exercise. Piper loves this tug and war toy! Plus, it’s great for her teeth and gums. My oldest also plays with toys with my cat to get him up and going.
I hope this information has helped inform your decision to get a pet or if you already own, shown you some valuable information. Don’t forget to check out the affordable options for your pet at Dollar General and enjoy your sweet furry best friend.
Also to save more money, sign-up today by clicking here, visiting www.dollargeneral.com/coupons or accessing coupons on the Dollar General mobile app. Customers can load coupons to the account and redeem them at checkout during their next visit! Xo
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