I was one of those people that never wanted that extra responsibility of pet ownership. I was going to stand firm when my kids pleaded with me to get them a pet. Just say no was my mantra. We would live as vicarious pet owners through window shopping at Petco or petting random dogs in the park. It wasn’t that I detested animals, but I knew that I had enough on my plate, and didn’t need the extra work of caring for a pet. Over the years something happened, my firm “no” began to soften, until finally I decided to take the plunge into pet ownership. We purchased two rabbits and we haven’t looked back.
Why purchase your first pet?
Several factors went into our decision to purchase a pet, but ultimately we knew the joy that pet ownership would bring to our kids and family. We believed that allowing our kids something they could assist in caring for, would provide them greater accountability. They could learn the responsibility that comes with taking care of a living thing and that while pets are fun to play with, they also take some work.
There are several research studies that point out the mental health benefits of pet ownership. Helpguide provides some study results showing that:
- Dog owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets.
- People with dogs have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without pets.
- One study even found that when people with borderline hypertension adopted dogs from a shelter, their blood pressure declined significantly within five months.
- Playing with a dog or cat can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine, which calm and relax.
- Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels (indicators of heart disease) than those without pets.
- Heart attack patients with dogs survive longer than those without.
- Pet owners over age 65 make 30 percent fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets.
How do you figure out what pet is right for you?
There are many different pet options. Some of the things that we considered when deciding on rabbits was:
Size-If you get a big animal like a horse, goat, large dog, they are going to need more room to roam. Is your house or yard equipped with the space to handle the size of the animal? Do you need a special cage or habitat that you can accommodate in your living space?
Upkeep– Some pets need regular, ongoing maintenance like grooming, nail clipping, and exercise. Do you have the extra time needed to do things like walk the dog every day? A lot of pets like to chew, dig, and can be destructive. Do you have plans to handle these types of pet behavior or will you choose a pet that displays less of these behaviors? Your kids will in some ways contribute to the caring for the pet, but it’s going to have to also be something that you will be willing to care for when they don’t.
They’re so cute– Rabbits are really fun to observe. They take on their own unique personalities. They like to run around, leaping in the air, kicking their feet up, and enjoy human interaction. Who can’t refuse petting a soft, fluffy bunny?Pets allow us a way to cope with the daily stresses we face in our lives. Pets are always there for you and love unconditionally. They allow us that physical touch that is so emotionally powerful. Pets allow us to take responsibility and focus on caring for something other than ourselves. We never quite feel alone when we have a pet around. Maybe it’s time you give in, as I did, and find the right pet for your child’s wellness.Check out my blog post series on Simple ways to cope.