Children Thrive With A Pet Pal In The Family

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 10-14-2003 | Celia Hall

[blam]

Children thrive with a pet pal in the family

By Celia Hall, Medical Editor
(Filed: 14/10/2003)

The spirits of Tom Kitten, Mrs Tiggywinkle and Jemima Puddleduck live on. New research has found that one child in five plays dressing up with the family pet while one in 10, especially young girls, push their pets around in prams.

The survey also found that contemporary culture had an impact on children's activities with their pets. More than half, 53 per cent, watched television or videos with their favourite animal.

A total of 176 pet-owning families took part in the survey. They had between them 338 children, 129 dogs, 94 cats, 22 fish, 30 assorted mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters, 35 rabbits, 18 guinea pigs, seven reptiles, 17 birds in cages, one pony and six groups of poultry.

Nearly half the children went to their pet if they were bored or upset and a third sought out their pet, in this case mostly a dog, if they felt scared. A third went to their pet if they felt poorly, 85 per cent used their pet as a playmate and 37 per cent had their pet beside them when they were reading or doing their homework.

The survey, to be released today at the conference of the Society for Companion Animals, also looked at the risk of zoonoses - animal diseases that can pass to humans.

Dr June McNicholas, a health psychologist at Warwick University said children's exposure to animals in the first year of life reduced the risk of allergies.

Her survey showed that pets had wide access to the household and that hand washing after contact with pets was either rare or not insisted upon.

Children frequently shared food with pets, even when they were not supposed to. Some of them shared their beds. The report says: "Hand washing routines, however desirable, are almost impossible to adhere to.

"For example, many pets are fed at human mealtimes and many share snacks whilst the child watches TV - the one for you, now one for me type of snacks, like crisps and sweets."

Elizabeth Omerod, the chairman of the society said yesterday: "Contact with animals in the first year of life can protect children against allergies and there are other social benefits. Children learn patience. They learn to consider the needs of another and not to put themselves first."

[MEG33]

We love them and they are good for children!(we knew that)

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[TopQuark]

More than half, 53 per cent, watched television or videos with their favourite animal.

Poor animals.

[Vinnie]

"Contact with animals in the first year of life can protect children against allergies and there are other social benefits.

I've read of studies showing a link between feline and childhood leukemia. If I had a child, I defintely would not have a cat.

[chilepepper]

...and tasty in Thai recipes to boot!

[goodnesswins]

I think any link between feline leukemia and childhood leukemia comes from UNSANITARY conditions which PARENTS should be taking care of. (Cat box)

[MEG33]

They have some very strange tastes in the east.

[Ciexyz]

I have my pet beside me as I play on Free Republic! (and I'm not a kid!)

[blam]

"If I had a child, I defintely would not have a cat."

I agree, no cats. I have four dogs.

[Vinnie]

should be taking care of. (Cat box)

"Mommy, can I have another Tootsie Roll?"

[not_apathetic_anymore]

New research has found that one child in five plays dressing up with the family pet while one in 10, especially young girls, push their pets around in prams.

Guilty as charged on both of those counts. Why Tuffy the cat allowed me to put baby bonnets on him and push him around in a baby stroller I'll never know. One would think I'd still bear evidence of feline dissatisfaction on my arms. But allow it he did. In some ways I haven't changed much. The canine critter sits next to me now with a bandanna adorning her;)

[davisfh]

"We love them and they are good for children!(we knew that)"

Yes, they are! And we knew that long ago. Our daughter, now 36 years of age, always had pets. Now that she is married and has her own home, she still has pets and so do we. Out daughter has a beautiful Rag Doll cat and we have a little Pekingnese girl who has breakfast, lunch and dinner with us. My wife and I feed her things from the table that are good for her. She never realizes, of course, that she is not eating the same things that we are. She just feels that she is participating in the meal and is very happy. We intend to keep it that way.

I would say to people who don't like pets, "get a life."

[apackof2]

half the children went to their pet if they were bored or upset and a third sought out their pet, in this case mostly a dog, if they felt scared. A third went to their pet if they felt poorly, 85 per cent used their pet as a playmate and 37 per cent had their pet beside them when they were reading or doing their homework.

Heck, I do this now!

[freedox]

I wholeheartedly agree that a pet can be a wonderful childhood companion, and a child can benefit greatly from owning a pet. However, it has been my experience that a child's sense of devotion to a pet will eventually come to mirror that of the parents......if the parents treat the pet as an unwanted bother, the child is likely to follow suit once the novelty of a new pet wears off. I've seen too many dogs wind up lonely and bored in backyards once the kids got tired of caring for them. IMO, that scenario carries with it one of the most negative lessons that a child can learn......that responsibilities can easily be discarded when they become too much of a bother.

[MEG33]

I have seen that,too.

[freedox]

And should my own devotion to pets ever be brought into question......I travel fulltime in an RV with one husband and four dogs! (Hey, they're members of the family......was there any other option??)

[MEG33]

That is devotion!

[Samwise]

You are either very brave or very foolish. ;^)

[Temple Drake]

nobody should have pets unless they are crazy about them and devoted to them -- same for kids. We have 2 cats and 3 dogs and we adore them all. They sleep in our beds and cuddle on the sofa with us. I just cringe when I meet people who get and then dump perfectly good dogs because they refuse to treat them as family members and then wonder why the dog is stressed out! Dogs, cats etc. are not appliances or toys to be purchased because "it would be good for the kids"; it's more like adopting a sibling. If you only want them as livestock, buy a farm and get some ducks.