Research shows that households with pets result in happier, healthier children.
Parenting on Female First
Learning how to care for an animal and understanding the responsibility involved is invaluable for a child's development, experts have shown. According to psychologists, children can learn about companionship, playing together, and how to deal with times of trouble or illness.
Pets can also provide children with a sense of security and help with separation anxiety - those times when parents, siblings or friends aren't around, helping them to build confidence in many situations.
Mark Singleton of Pets4Homes.co.uk, a pet classifieds and advice website, said: "Pets never offer criticism and don't order children about.
“Having a dog, cat, or small animal around the house really do offer children security and friendship.
"Pets can also help calm aggressive or overly active children, we've found. There are huge rewards to be had for a young person teaching their dog a new trick, or earning the trust of their new pet cat."
There is - of course - a huge selection of pets that can stimulate a child's mind, from goldfish, all the way up to the huge financial and emotional responsibility of owning a horse, via the obvious rewards of keeping poultry.
With dogs being Britain's most popular pet, there are a number of breeds that go well with children and families, including; Labrador and Golden Retriever - eager to please, intelligent, loyal and affectionate; Beagles - loveable, with a heart of gold and patient enough to deal with children; Crossbreeds - do not tend to have the genetic problems found in many pedigree dogs; St Bernard - bred to help people, and this innate love of humans has transcended the ages; Boxers - Hyperactive in nature, they are best suited to an active family; Bichon Frise - Sunny disposition and a gentle nature; and Hungarian Vizsla - forms strong bonds with people and is particularly fond of children.
Mark said: "A pet in the family is a genuine recipe for success if both parents and children treat it with care and responsibility.
"We at Pets4Homes.co.uk offer all the advice you'll need to help you make a considered choice of companion, and then offer advice with the care of your new family member.
"Both parents and children can benefit from having a pet. They are a source of stimulation for brain and body, and a huge source of happiness."
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