Dogs help children develop stronger relationships and reduce the risk they will feel lonely.
Dogs and kids go together like peanut butter and jelly or cookies and milk. But beyond providing companionship, dogs provide health benefits for children that range from boosting their immune and cardiovascular systems to reducing stress and improving their self-esteem.
A variety of studies show the physical benefits of having a dog, which include improving the child’s immune system, reducing the risk of developing asthma and encouraging physical activity, which boosts heart health and reduces the risk of obesity.
But parents shouldn’t discount the fact that dogs also provide emotional health benefits.
And having a dog at home also teaches children respect, responsibility and more.
Physical health benefits: Reduced risk of allergies and asthma
Children who live with dogs are less likely to develop allergies and asthma.
Studies show having pets decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies and asthma.
A study led by Dr. Dennis Ownby, the head of the allergy and immunology department of the Medical College of Georgia shows having multiple pets decreases a child’s risk of developing certain allergies.
According to Parents.com, Ownby’s research tracked a group of 474 babies from birth to about age 7. He found that the children who were exposed to two or more dogs or cats as babies were less than half as likely to develop common allergies as kids who had no pets in the home.
Children who live with dogs reacted less to fewer indoor allergens—like dust-mite allergens—and to outdoor allergens such as ragweed and grass. Ownby told Parents.com, that he suspects when dogs or cats lick children, their saliva transfers bacteria to the child and that exposure may change the way the child’s immune system responds to allergens.
A University of Alberta study shows babies from families with pets — 70 percent of which were dogs — exhibited higher levels of microbes that lowered the risk the children would develop allergies. According to the research, exposing children to dirt and bacteria — from a dog’s paws and coat — can create immunity.
The Canadian study also builds on two decades of research that shows children who grow up with dogs have lower rates of asthma, according to report about the study by ScienceDaily.com.
Physical health benefits: Improved heart health
Dogs encourage children to get outside and exercise.
Children with dogs tend to spend more time outdoors both walking their dogs and playing with them.
A study from Sweden shows dog owners live longer because they are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. The study at Uppsala University in Sweden analyzed 12 years of health records for the 3.4 million people in that country. Results were published in Scientific Reports.
Having a dog lets children start taking advantage of those cardiovascular benefits even sooner.
Emotional health benefits: Improved self-esteem
Dogs help boost a child’s self-esteem by providing unconditional love and acceptance.
According to the American Kennel Club, a collection of scientific studies shows that having a dog can benefit a child’s emotional health by boosting self-esteem, making them more compassionate and empathetic, improving cognitive skills, reducing stress and making them happier
Helping take care of the dog — whether it’s taking the dog for a walk, dumping food in his bowl or brushing his coat — helps boost self-esteem. Parents need to take care, however, to make sure the task assigned to the child is age appropriate and safe for both child and dog.
Emotional health benefits: Less anxiety
Researchers from the Bassett Medical Center of Cooperstown, New York, showed not only do children with a dog experience less anxiety.
Using the SCARED-5 test to screen for childhood anxiety disorders revealed only 12 percent of children with dogs suffered from anxiety compared to 21 percent of children without dogs.
Bottomline
Dogs are good for kids. Dogs provide health benefits for children that range from the physical — helping keep kids more active — to the emotional — reducing stress and anxiety while boosting self-esteem. Just be sure you get a dog that suits your family and always supervise interactions between dogs and children, especially during the early bonding stage.
Sara B. Hansen has spent the past 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She decided to create her dream job by launching Dog’s Best Life. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Sydney, an Australian Shepherd-Corgi mix.
You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.
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