Essay Sample on How Having a Pet Benefits to Child

The number of pets in households throughout the world has increased in the past few decades. However, the United States has been indicated as one of the most archetypes of pet love countries, especially when it comes to dogs. According to Bradley, the US is still the model of dog love, with the globes biggest pet doggie population in both absolute and per capita terms. Despite the fact that the Americans love pets, the number of pets being abandoned is alarming. It is approximated that about 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Approximately 3.9 million out of the 7.6 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats (Bradley). Many people surrender animals because they think it is the only possible solution. One of the most common reasons why people give up their pets is because of their lifestyle changes. Among other lifestyle change related aspects, having a new baby tops the list of reasons behind abandoning of pets. People abandon their beloved pets which spent many years together because they think having pets are not healthy for their baby. Despite the common believe that pets are not good for the growing kids, it has been indicated that pets actually aid the development process of a child in all perspectives.

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Most people adults are of the opinion that having a dog with baby is unhealthy for the babys health. The adults think that microbes that pets carry into the home from outdoor will harm the baby and bring sick to baby. However, according to Khan, children who live with dogs or cats during their first year of life are likely to get sick less frequently than kids from pet-free families. Having pets enhances babies on their health, in addition to other benefits. From a health point of view, the microbes emanating from the pets are beneficial to a babys immune system (Park). Pets microbes trigger the immune system, which is still developing, to adapt to ways of fending off attack from common allergens and bugs.

Naturally, kids are very active from the early stages of development. Being active not only enhances a health growth, but also trains the body to grow stronger to fend of diseases. Pets, especially dogs, hearten a more active lifestyle. Children from a family with pets are likely to exercise more than those from families without pets (Strickland). On the same note, pets boost the happiness level of children. Medical practitioners argue that interacting with pets increase serotonin and dopamine levels, which are essential elements in development of positive feelings. Most importantly, it is fun to interact and play with a pet, which brightens any childs day.

Finally, having a pet is one way of training a child to have a sense of responsibility from the early stages of development. In most cases, kids are assigned the responsibility of feeding the pet, and this move gives them a hint of accountability and obligation (Strickland). Similarly, caring for the pet allows a child to learn about being empathy and compassionate and developing self-esteem. Therefore, based on the above discussed factors, it is evident that having a pet is beneficial for a child.

Work Cited

Bradley, Theresa. "The Dog Economy Is Global but What Is the World's True Canine Capital?" The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 13 Nov. 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.

Khan, Amina. "Dogs and Cats Help Babies' Health, Study Finds." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 09 July 2012. Web. 28 Nov. 2015

Park, Alice. "Study: Why Dogs and Cats Make Babies Healthier |TIME.com." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2015. Retrieved from http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/09/study-why-dogs-and-cats-make-babies-healthier/Strickland, Bill. The benefits of Pets Parents, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/kids/pets-good-for-kids/