Pets have long been considered valuable members of many households, offering companionship, comfort, and joy. However, their benefits extend beyond mere companionship, especially for children. Pets can play a vital role in a child’s psychological development and emotional well-being. Studies show that children who grow up with pets often experience enhanced emotional, social, and cognitive development.
Here’s a look at some of the amazing psychological benefits that children gain from having pets as explained by the leading family psychologist and couples therapist Shivani Sadhoo in Delhi in this blog.
What are some of the wonderful psychological benefits when kids have pets?
Marriage counselor and family psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo says, there are numerous benefits and some of them are:
Boosts Emotional Intelligence
One of the most notable advantages of growing up with a pet is the development of emotional intelligence. Caring for a pet teaches children empathy, responsibility, and compassion. They learn to recognize and respond to their pet’s needs, whether it’s feeding, grooming, or providing comfort. This nurtures their ability to understand and manage their own emotions while also considering the feelings of others. As a result, children who bond with pets often show higher levels of empathy and emotional awareness.
Reduces Anxiety and Stress
Interacting with pets has been found to reduce stress and anxiety in children. Whether it’s cuddling a cat or playing with a dog, the physical and emotional connection helps to calm the nervous system. Petting animals has been shown to release oxytocin, a hormone that reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and fosters positive emotions. For children dealing with anxiety or emotional challenges, pets provide a consistent source of comfort and security.
Enhances Social Skills
Pets can significantly improve a child’s social development. Caring for a pet often involves interactions with other people, whether it’s a visit to the vet or meeting other pet owners at a park. Pets act as social facilitators, helping children learn to communicate and express themselves more confidently. Research suggests that children with pets are often more approachable and develop better interpersonal skills, which can lead to stronger peer relationships.
Builds Responsibility and Routine
Owning a pet requires daily responsibilities such as feeding, walking, and grooming. By involving children in these tasks, they learn the value of responsibility and routine. These small, consistent duties help foster a sense of accountability, time management, and discipline in young minds. Developing these habits early can also enhance self-esteem, as children feel a sense of accomplishment from successfully caring for their pets.
Encourages Physical Activity
Children with pets, particularly dogs, tend to be more active. Walking or playing with a dog encourages physical exercise, which is beneficial not only for physical health but also for mental well-being. Regular physical activity reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety while promoting overall happiness. Engaging in outdoor activities with pets also exposes children to nature, which has been linked to improved mental health and cognitive function.
Supports Cognitive Development
Interacting with pets can also stimulate cognitive development in children. Talking to or playing with a pet encourages imaginative thinking and improves language skills. Children often create stories, games, or conversations with their pets, fostering creativity and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, some studies show that reading to pets can improve a child’s reading skills by offering a non-judgmental and comforting audience.
The bond between children and pets can offer profound psychological benefits. From reducing stress to enhancing emotional intelligence and building responsibility, pets contribute significantly to a child’s overall development. The unconditional love and companionship that pets provide help shape children into more empathetic, confident, and well-rounded individuals.
Shivani Misri Sadhoo is an internationally recommended relationship Counsellor by world’s biggest and most trusted study and research-based foundation for couples therapy – Gottman Institute. She is trained on specialised key relationship counselling Skills from AIIMS, VIMHANS and various other reputed institutions. Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo, is also Certified for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo is also a Certified Neuro Linguistic Practitioner with specialised training and experience in the field of affairs/betrayals, trust issues, difficulty communicating, conflicting values, bereavement, grief and loss (affairs, separation, divorce, childhood) and emotional health issue (anxiety, social anxiety, fear, depression, low mood).
Currently, Shivani Misri Sadhoo is one of the top counsellors with the HIGHEST Success Rate with over 17,000 happy couples and individuals (based in India and abroad), who has benefited from her therapy. Psychologist and Counselor Shivani Misri Sadhoo not only practice independently from her clinic in Greater Kailash, Delhi, India but also listed on the panel of eminent hospitals like IBS Hospital – Institute of Brain & Spine, Express Clinic, Fortis (formerly) based in Delhi.
