FAITHFUL FRIENDS
Barack Obama used the promise of a pet as a bargaining tool with his daughters during his successful election campaign. Yet, the decision on what dog to take to the White House has arguably been his ‘biggest’ decision to date – a Labradoodle or a Portuguese waterhound puppy? "This has been tougher than finding a Commerce Secretary” he told ABC’s This Week programme . . .
Many of us were probably faced with the
same pleas this Christmas past but how
long can you make excuses for not having
a pet? Oliver Nicholas looks at the
decisions that need to be considered.
Should you say yes?
The decision to allow a child to have a pet is a
difficult one particularly as, no matter what promises
your child makes you, the responsibility for the
animal will rest ultimately with you. So, the real
question is whether you are personally committed
to looking after it and whether your lifestyle will not
prevent you from doing so?
What are the benefits?
There have been many scientific and sociological
experiments over the years proving the benefits of
pet ownership for children. Research has shown that
children’s physical health can benefit from close
contact with pets. Doctors are still exploring the
“hygiene hypothesis” – of whether exposure of
children to microbes, for example, from animals,
makes them less susceptible to allergies.
Interestingly, there have been a number of recent
studies which have shown a link between pet
ownership in childhood and the reduction in the
occurrence of asthma, eczema and hayfever.
Psychologist, Dr June McNicholas, of Warwick
University has also conducted studies that show
children who own pets have more stable antibody
levels than those without pets, indicating a more
robust immune system. Her findings have been
backed up by subsequent observations that children
with pets took fewer sick days off school than those
without pets.
In addition, Australian University research has shown
that children between the ages of 5 and 12 years
who had a dog were 50% less likely to be
overweight or obese compared with those who did
not own a dog.
Whilst it may seem a great idea to
buy a young child a rabbit, for
instance, because it seems docile
and fluffy, they are, in fact, quite
fragile animals that cannot cope
with the inadvertent rough handling
of a younger child
Head researcher, Professor Jo
Salmon says: “For parents who are trying to get their
kids off the computer or switching off the TV and getting out and playing, having a pet might be a
really good strategy for doing that.” Not only walking
the dog but just playing around with the dog at
home seemed to make a marked difference.
The physical act of touching, stroking and cuddling
pets in itself is also commonly known as a stress
buster, lowering heart rates and reducing blood
pressure for children and adults alike.
The social and psychological benefits of pet
ownership are perhaps easier to see in your child.
Owning a pet teaches children empathy towards
others and can improve social skills. This is
highlighted by Dr Sue Doescher, a psychologist
involved in studies since the 1990s at Oregon State
University, USA, who notes that pet ownership:
“made the children more cooperative and sharing.
Having a pet improved children’s role-taking skills
because they have to put themselves in the pet’s
position and try to feel how the pet feels and that
transfers to how other kids feel.’’
Children who own pets have more
stable antibody levels than those
without pets, indicating a more
robust immune system
Children with pets
also appeared to have a better ability to understand
non-verbal communication. Daily contact and
responsibility also improved children’s self-confidence.
These are clearly essential skills in life that can be
transferred by your child to their relationships with
other children.
Having pets also makes children more cooperative
and sharing, able to empathise, whilst improving selfconfidence;
essential skills in relationships with others.
Animals are renowned as great companions for their
offering of unconditional love and acceptance, being
both playmates and sympathetic listeners, hence the
use of animals to assist sick patients in hospitals,
children suffering behavioural difficulties, autism, or
for dealing with the effects of trauma and in therapy.
What pet to get?
Once the decision has been made to have a pet,
the most difficult part is often what type of animal
to choose. There are a number of important things
to consider:
Cost
– is often something that is overlooked.
The cost of the animal itself, any equipment
required for the animal (such as dog beds,
hamster cages etc), the continuing cost of
keeping the animal fed, veterinary bills and
insurance are all factors that need to be
researched at the outset before making your
choice. Pet insurance provider, Intune, has
calculated that the average cost of keeping a
dog over its lifetime is now £13,000. Average
costs of keeping a cat over the same period is
now over £10,000.
Your child’s age
– is a vital factor to consider
when you are choosing a pet. Whilst it may seem
a great idea to buy a young child a rabbit, for
instance, because it seems docile and fluffy, they
are, in fact, quite fragile animals that cannot cope
with the inadvertent rough handling of a younger
child. A young child may find the concept of
death a difficult one to deal with. It may not,
therefore, be sensible to buy a young child a
hamster or gerbil that will have a very short
lifespan. (Although having to understand about
the death of a loved one or dealing with the grief
process at some stage during childhood is often
considered an important learning experience.)
Your child’s personality
– whilst your child may
have their heart set on having a particular pet,
they may not in reality have any concept of what
care is involved. The worst thing that can happen
is for your child to get bored with the pet as you
will end up looking after it. A quiet and calm child
may not be able to cope with a bounding young
puppy or energetic older dog, whilst an inquisitive
scientifically minded child may get bored easily
with a kitten but a reptile or exotic fish may
inspire them in their learning.
If your child is desperate for a horse it might be
a good plan to get them to show that they can
really look after it before you incur huge bills by
volunteering to help at the local stables with the
care of the horses, feeding, mucking out and
cleaning before and after school. This will soon
reveal whether your child is completely committed!
Links are provided below to pet selector web
questionnaires which are a useful start to
understand personalities and backgrounds of
breeds of different animals.
Space
– Is there space to keep your chosen pet
safely and comfortably in your home? Birds
should not be kept close to kitchens and many
small rodents are nocturnal and can be disruptive
to your sleep if kept in a bedroom. You must also
take a realistic look at the amount of time that
your family can spare for the care and training of
a pet. Pets such as puppies and kittens will takeup a lot of your time so are clearly not suited to
families where both parents work long hours,
but a low maintenance pet such as a fish would.
You should think about how your family spends
its time together and choose a pet accordingly.
Exotic Pets
Extra consideration should be given if thinking about
the more unusual pet.
Reptiles like turtles, snakes, lizards, iguanas, rodents
including hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas,
hedgehogs, mice and rats, amphibians such as
frogs, toads and salamanders, and ferrets can all be
alternatives to the common cats, dogs and rabbits.
In the US, where the number of exotic pets has
increased by 75% since 1992, a report for the
American Academy of Paediatrics advised that
children under the age of 5 should not keep
hedgehogs, baby chicks, and reptiles as pets.
Dr Pickering, paediatrician and infectious disease
specialist, highlighted that the salmonella bacteria
can be found in reptiles and baby chicks:
“With adequate supervision and precautions such as
hand-washing, contact between children and
animals is a good thing, but families should wait until
the children are older before buying an exotic pet.”
Cows, sheep, pigs, chicken and goats are a fantastic
way for children to understand the reality of farming
and where our food comes from. However, they do
not have places to rest or eat that are away from
where their manure and can potentially carry the
E-coli and Salmonella bugs. Wild animals are
unpredictable and may carry diseases so be wary of
touching or feeding them, as much for their safety as
for your children’s.
Health
Awareness of health issues must be taken seriously
but by following simple measures the benefits can far
outweigh potential problems.
Infections can be passed from common domestic
animals. This is rare but can occur. The most direct
way for infections to pass is by being bitten, or by
close contact with their poo.
Such infections include:
- Ringworm – a fungal infection of the skin
- Toxocariasis – an infection caused by worms in
dog and cat poo
- Toxoplasmosis – a parasite found in cat poo
Good pet hygiene reduces this risk, so:
- Don’t let pets sleep on beds
- Wash hands with soap and water after
handling animals
- Don’t touch their poo and stay away from litter
trays and dog litter bins
- Wash bites and scratches straight away with
soap and water or antiseptic
- Check that tetanus immunisations are up to date
if bitten badly
- Make sure pets have had the full necessary
vaccinations and have regular check-ups at
the vets
- Keep your pet’s fur clean, clean their paws
and shampoo them if they have been swimming
in ponds, for example
Safety for your children
For children to gain the sociological benefits from a
pet they must learn from observation the correct
behaviour in how to treat the pet. Unfortunately, it is
not enough to simply buy your child a pet and expect
them to benefit. It is necessary to become actively
involved in teaching your child how to look after it.
Teach children the following:
- Wash hands after handling pets
- Handle and pick up pets, without squeezing them
too tight, dropping them or picking them up too fast
- When approaching strange animals or friend’s
animals ask the owner permission before stroking it
- Understand and recognise danger signs such as
growling. Any animal may scratch or bite if it feels
that it is cornered or in a dangerous situation
- Do not tease or play with animals whilst they
are eating, sleeping or if they are looking after
their young
- Do not put faces close to animals’ faces, claws
or snatch a toy or bone away from them
- Be aware that loud noises, screaming, poking
eyes and pulling tail or ears can be annoying
to animals
- Don’t leave an infant or toddler alone with a pet.
Cats love the warmth of babies and babycots so
think about catnets if out in the garden.
Finally, do your research and make sure you buy
from reputable breeders or pet shops or consider
visiting a rescue home and talking to experts there.
CHOOSING A DOG
According to the pet advice website, Saferpets, some
dog breeds that are good for families include:
Shih-Tzu – full of infectious, extrovert enthusiasm,
intelligent, fun companions although they can be
independent and willful too!
Pug – friendly, affectionate character which may
suffer in humidity and heat, due to their short faces.
Despite their small size, they are not snappy or
nervous like many toy breeds and are low
maintenance (minimal grooming and exercise).
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – energetic
playmate with loving nature who will adapt to any
lifestyle but needs regular exercise and grooming of
its long, silky coat. Heart disease
is a problem in this breed
Border Terrier – a compact, robust, short-coated
dog that’s great for families with active children.
Good watchdogs although terrier-characteristics
have to be kept in check, such as digging
Beagle – happy, sociable, ideal family dogs although
not the easiest to train as, being a scent hound, they
become obsessed once they pick up a scent trail
and will ignore all commands
Staffordshire Bull Terrier – a powerful, muscular
dog which is nevertheless tolerant and affectionate
with children and devoted to its family. Highly
intelligent and fearless, it can be slightly combative
with other dogs if not well-socialised from young.
Cocker Spaniel – sensitive, affectionate and
intelligent little dog which requires some grooming
and a fair amount of exercise. They have keen
hunting instincts and can be strong-willed.
Labrador/Golden Retriever – good-natured and
eager to please, the Lab’s love of water can be a
nuisance as it will find any puddle available; they
both also enjoy retrieving and carrying things around.
Labs are energetic and require a lot of exercise but
also adore food. The Golden has a longer coat which
needs more grooming.
Giant breeds, such as the Newfoundland,
St Bernard and Great Dane – renowned for their
placid natures and gentle tolerance of children -
however, they have a lengthy period as huge,clumsy,
boisterous puppies and as such, are generally
unsuitable for households with young children.
Doberman Pinschers, Dalmatians, and
Great Danes – grow to be more than 50 pounds.
Bites from large dogs can also do more damage.
Avoid dogs specifically bred to be aggressive fighters
such as Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.
Certain terriers and Chihuahuas – known to be
potentially aggressive, snappy and less tolerant of
children especially if they haven’t lived with children
from puppyhood.
www.saferpets.co.uk