Pawsome playmates

Kids aged between six and 10 can get more involved with their pet, but under constant supervision

To acknowledge and further the bond between children and animals, American pet lifestyle expert Colleen Paige founded National Kids and Pets Day in 2005. Welcoming an animal into your home and making it part of the family is an important moment in people's lives and does change the way they live. Animal behaviorist and founder of Citizen K9, Raj Mariwala says that although people are fond of the idea that kids and animals go really well together, the process of introducing your kids to pets needs to be done very carefully.

There exists a risk to the child's safety, Mariwalla asserts. For instance, any sort of bite from a dog will often be around the neck because kids are shorter than adults. The other side of the coin is the fact that because kids are not adults, it might not be safe for dogs, too. "Part of this issue arises because of the pictures we see on social media; you'll see a baby or young child cuddling a dog or sleeping with it, but not all dogs take kindly to such gestures. The way to make the relationship between animals and kids across all age groups successful is through constant adult supervision, and teaching both of them how to interact with one another," she shares. That said, having a pet around has its benefits, too.

Having a pattern and schedule: Kids not only get an opportunity to be acquainted with a new species but also learn to navigate a structured care schedule like taking their pet for walks or their visits to the vet.

Raj Mariwala

Building confidence: Having a pet means that kids have a new friend around, and that helps build their confidence. Mariwala mentions an international programme called Read to Rover, which has found that kids may be able to read better after reading to a dog rather than a teacher or another adult.

Better immunity: Research has shown that children who are introduced to animals can get an immunity boost at an early age as a result of increased exposure to microorganisms. "They also develop a better understanding of nature, become more tolerant towards other species and learn kindness. And this is far more exciting and engaging than screen time," she adds.