Most parents think twice before giving their children a pet. The problem is not simply the expense and responsibility of having an animal in the home, but they are also concerned about the safety of the children. However, what many parents are unaware of is that having the right pet at home can be very beneficial for the development of children.

In fact, did you know that a pet can help boost a child’s immune system? Some studies claim that children who live with animals have a lower risk of allergies, respiratory problems and otitis, while they catch colds less often and tend to sneeze and cough less. Likewise, having a pet stimulates the child’s senses, develops their empathy and sense of responsibility, consolidates their self-esteem and improves their mood. This is confirmed by different investigations in which it has been appreciated that pets children who have pets tend to be more sociable and relate better to others.

When is the right time to bring home a pet?

Ideally, the pet comes home after the children turn 3 years old. At this time they will be able to take care of some tasks of caring for the animal, such as putting food or cleaning the area where it sleeps. In addition, they will be more responsible and will care about their pet’s well-being since from this age they are able to distinguish behaviors that can harm the animal from those that are rewarding. However, if you want your child to be fully aware of the responsibility of having a pet at home, you can wait until they are 5 or 6 years old.

Even so, regardless of the child’s age, It is also very important to take into account the type of pet you bring home. All animals are not safe for children and there are some that are more difficult to tame than others. The ideal is that you choose a docile and manageable pet with which the child can relate without problems.

What are the ideal pets for children?

1. Dogs

It is no coincidence that the dog is man’s best friend. His spontaneous relationship, his affection and loyalty are the best signs of this and a good guarantee to welcome them as pets in the home. Children love them and they are also very social, easy to train and can learn tricks quickly, something that the little ones will love. Ideally, you should choose a large dog since small breeds are usually weaker and flee from children for fear of being hurt. Likewise, it is recommended that it be a female dog since they tend to be more patient and sociable.

2. Cats

By nature, cats tend to be more independent than dogs, but this does not mean that they are not affectionate and that they do not seek the company of their owners. Of course, they require more careful treatment since they do not like their space to be invaded and can occasionally scratch their owners if they feel attacked. But in general, they are usually very good pets, especially because they do not require as much care and attention as dogs. As with dogs, it is recommended to bet on female cats that are usually more docile and spend more time at home.

3. Rabbits

Rabbits have become very fashionable as pets. It is true that they are not as expressive as cats and dogs but they know how to relate to people and can also become very affectionate, in fact, they love to be caressed and held in their arms with frequency. In addition, they require very little space and care, so they do not imply a great responsibility. However, they need to run outside at least once a day, a task that can be given to the child.

4. Fish

Are you looking for a pet that hardly needs care and that can entertain the children? Fish are an excellent option. They are very easy to care for, maintain and feed and they are also very entertaining. The best thing is that there are fish of different species with a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes, so you can choose the one that your child likes the most. The big problem is that fish usually have a very short life and their death can affect children, especially when they are very young and do not have the necessary tools to deal with this type of loss.

5 . Hamster

These little animals are a great choice if this is your child’s first pet. They are very funny, they know how to relate to people and they can learn some tricks that children will love. They are very smart and playful, so the little one will have someone to entertain himself with when he is bored. In addition, they are very easy to care for and feed and take up very little space since they can live inside small cages. Of course, you must bear in mind that they reproduce very easily, so if you do not want to have a large hamster family at home, it will be better to opt for a single animal, instead of having a couple.