I can’t answer the question, should we get a pet, because I honestly feel like that is a decision only you can make. Having a dog in your family will always have pros and cons. I’m also not going to sugarcoat it: puppies and new-to-you pets are a LOT of hard work. Especially if you are already parenting young children, however, as someone with two dogs (in addition to two children), I want to go over the benefits dogs can have on a family.
There are so many reasons why pets are great for young kids. The benefits range from physical and mental health.
Here are my top 5 benefits of having a dog while you also have young kids.
Teaching responsibility
Let’s be real, having kids doesn’t automatically mean they will do most of the work when you get a dog. In my house, I’m still the one doing the 5AM wake ups, cleaning up accidents and making sure the puppy doesn’t chew up all our furniture. Having a puppy is a big responsibility but getting your kids involved will teach them how to be responsible for someone other than themselves. My kids help feed the puppy, taking him outside for potty breaks and also help exercise him daily.
Getting Outside
Puppies and dogs will help you and your kids maintain an active lifestyle. When puppies aren’t active, that’s when they can start acting out and misbehaving more. Having a puppy is a great excuse to get outside on a daily basis. We make sure we do a daily walk, even if it’s around the block. When it’s cold outside, dogs still need to get their exercise, so it’s a great excuse to bundle up and get some fresh air and have some family time.
Mental Health
There’s a reason why you are familiar with the phrase ‘a dog’s best friend’. Dogs are a source of unconditional love and security. They have been known to lower stress or feelings of loneliness, create better self-esteem and even help with anxiety. Sometimes it’s easier to confide in a dog when you are having a bad day and you know they will simply listen and perhaps give you a much needed snuggle.
Physical Health
Not only can owning a dog help with your child’s mental health, but did you know they can also help with their physical health? Research has found that babies and kids raised with pets experience a reduced risk of allergies along with a healthier immune system through the exposure to pet dander.
Happiness
Yes, puppies are a lot of work, like a LOT of work. There might be times when you are wishing for those pre-puppy days, but in my personal opinion (as someone who has now had two puppies in the last 3 years), the endless love of a dog in your family is worth it. The tail wagging when your kids come home from school and my kids snuggling with our dogs every night in a make-your-heart-explode kind of way is worth all the tired moments!
Some of our puppy favorites:
Chewy.com has a wide variety of food, chews and products that you might need for your puppy. They have some of the absolute best customer service (HUGE win in my book. Plus free shipping to my doorstep means I don’t have to carry those 30+ pound dog food bags around. #winning
If you live in the south metro, you must check out our favorite small business Three Dogs Bakery in Apple Valley. They have a wall of rawhides & chews and so many fun seasonal (and birthday) treats when you want to celebrate those special occasions with your pup. Also this treat dispenser has been a LIFE SAVER. I feed our puppy his breakfast with this toy every morning. When I need an extra few minutes to sip my coffee, this toy helps keep him busy.
Baby gates, they aren’t just for babies. We block off our kitchen with baby gates while the puppy is still little. This gives us one area in our house where we don’t have to constantly have ‘eyes on me’ all the time with the puppy. Find a room or space where you can contain your puppy to give you peace of mind. Bonus: we love these gate options from Regalo, a locally owned, Minnesota company that you can order easily from Target or Amazon.
Do you have any favorite local pet shops? We’d love to know about them!
Ann is an entrepreneur working in the Twin Cities parenting world for over a decade. She is a St. Paul girl at heart, born & raised. Together with her husband Brian they raise their energetic boys, Ethan & Declan while also wrangling their dogs Tucker & Greta. You can connect with Ann on Instagram @simplyme_ann
