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If you are a parent, or soon to be, you have surely seen on more than one occasion how other parents scold their children when they approach any animal, whether it be a dog, cat or any other.
This behavior, despite being a way to protect children from possible bites, or illnesses, may be due to the belief that all animals are dirty or dangerous, a belief that is passed on to children from an early age, promoting a mixture of contempt and fear for all animals.
However, at PeritoAnimal we know that this type of attitude is unnecessary and can be harmful to the child's development as a person and, therefore, we want to explain the Benefits of Owning a Cat for Kids. You will be positively surprised at what can result from your children having a feline at home. Keep reading!
A pet at home?
Before a baby arrives, many people are worried about how their pet will react to the new family member, and they even wonder if the cat will hurt the child, whether scratching or biting, or if its mere presence can cause allergies and infections.
The same happens when they already have older children and are thinking about adopting a pet. The concern about whether the animal could be dangerous for the children is always present.
What can we say about this? That you can adopt a cat without problem. But, of course, you have to be aware of the extra responsibilities that this entails (veterinarian, feeding, cleaning the spaces, caring). The animal will repay you and your family.
Now, if you want strong reasons to consider having a cat as your children's pet, read on!
health benefits
The Kuopio University Hospital in Finland is one of many that have experimented with pets and babies, demonstrating that their presence in the home considerably reduces the risk of developing some health problems. if you want your kids develop your defenses and strengthen your immune system, having a cat is the ideal experience to achieve this.
Often, as parents, we try to protect our children from everything around them, from unpleasant situations to dust and dirt. By this we are not saying that you should neglect controlling your children, simply that part of your development as a person also involves facing things as they are in the real world and a little dust and cat fur are part of those things. So if you want to prevent them from becoming adults with allergies, a cat is the ideal option.
In addition, several studies point to cats as animals whose companionship is capable of prevent cardiovascular disease, calm the nerves, release stress and fight depression, thanks to the pleasure it produces to caress them and listen to the purr and tranquility with which they are able to convey their relaxed attitude. Both your children and you can benefit from this.
If you have one son with autism At home, a cat can help you communicate with other people as animal therapy has often proven to be quite effective in making people more sociable.
When you have a cat, you will realize the amount of fun situations that they are able to play, for this reason there will be no lack of laughter in your house, whose health benefits are more than known.
gain responsibility
It's no secret that, every day, the disinterest in other living beings increases. Abandonment cases are increasing and the number of people who look down on animals is quite high, we are less and less humanitarian.
In a world like this, it's part of your job as a parent. teach your kids to be better people and that included conveying the idea of respect and love for animals, the ability to see animals as beings that feel, suffer and love, just like human beings.
With a cat at home, your child will learn the responsibility that means have a living being in his care, understanding that, like himself, he needs food, shelter and care. Your child will feel important knowing what the cat needs, so let him participate in the animal's care, that will help you mature and to understand the importance of smaller beings, an experience that can extrapolate their relationship, for example, with their school friends.
will also learn respect for the space of others, because on certain occasions, cats do not want to be disturbed, which will encourage in your child the necessary development of sensitivity, which will allow him to decide on his own initiative when it is time to leave the animal alone.
The feeling you will create for the cat will be so great that it will become the faithful companion of the child. If the relationship is positive, your cat will easily cling to the child, looking out for him, like the group animals that they are.
primary advice
For the experience of adopting a cat to be satisfactory for your family, you must teach your kids to take care of the feline, preventing them from bothering, hurting or seeing the cat as a toy, pulling its tail or playing a game the cat doesn't like. Remember that he is a living being who deserves the same respect and affection as anyone else. Communicating this point to your child is essential.
By setting your children's boundaries, you will also set the cat's, educating the pet about where it can and cannot be.
The hygiene of the spaces that the animal uses and the regular visit to the veterinarian are crucial to maintaining the animal's health. Doing these tasks with your child will help teach them what it means to take care of someone and why taking care of our health is so important.
Do not forget set a good example and for that, you can start by visiting an animal refuge to adopt a new family member. Choosing a stray cat over a purebred one reveals a lot about you and will help your child appreciate what really matters!
