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Advantages & Benefits

girl with dog

If you’re still on the fence about getting a pet for your child, you should know that there are many benefits of owning a pet for children. Of course, there are responsibilities and other aspects of pet ownership that need to be considered. Owning a pet is a big decision. But there are definitely more pros than cons. Here are some of the many benefits you and your child can gain from owning a pet.

A Play Companion

Children need a lot of playtime for healthy development. Even if your children have siblings, there will be times when there is no one to play with. If you have a pet, your child has an automatic play companion that is available 24/7. And as you know, many pets, such as dogs, have seemingly boundless energy, much like children!

A Sense of Responsibility

Owning and taking care of a pet is a big responsibility, as your veterinarian can tell you. Very young children can’t fulfill a pet’s entire needs, but they can be responsible for small tasks, like making sure the water bowl is always full. Older children can take on more responsibility, like feeding, grooming, and ensuring the pet has adequate shade when it’s outside. These pet owner duties help to teach your child how to be a responsible adult.

A Path to Confidence

As your child fulfills their pet responsibilities, they will grow more confident in their own abilities to follow through on tasks like walking the dog or checking the cat for ticks. Owning a pet will also give the child confidence that they can successfully take care of another living being, which will help them when it comes time to raise children of their own someday.

A Confidant

If your child has trouble expressing themselves or has trouble making friends, then pet ownership is even more beneficial. A pet makes a great confidant; someone that the child can tell secrets or fears to without fear of judgment or repercussion. Often, children refer to their pet as their best friend for that very reason.

A Way to Make Friends

If your child does tend to shy away from friendships, having a pet can open up that door, too. Pets provide a great way to connect with others while out walking or playing with the pet.

When you’re ready to introduce a pet into your family, talk to your vet for recommendations on what kind of pet to get and where to get it from.

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  • "I can not say enough about these wonderful people. Dr. Reda is the most compassionate veterinarian I have ever met. My beloved dog passed from cancer, but they were there every step of the way with any questions or concerns, even when they were oh vacation and I was totally distraught about it, they made sure to address my concerns and never made me feel like I was crazy. There should be more people like Dr. Reda and his staff in this business. I am forever grateful for all of you."
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  • "I had such a good experience when I brought in a feral cat family during a TNR mission that I returned a month later when I adopted two of the kittens. Dr. Reda is simply a wonderful veterinarian. I appreciate his well-informed, holistic approach to treatment. He & his staff take the time to give me plenty of information and answer all my questions, while doing everything they can to minimize any distress and discomfort my cats experienced during the visit. In short, if you are looking for a vet that is highly knowledgeable, accessible, and compassionate, I cannot recommend All Friends highly enough."
    Anna
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    Dr. Reda and his staff quickly diagnosed our Dog's issue. They were very accommodating and compassionate. I would highly recommend his services."
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