PET OWNERSHIP: WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE ADOPTION

Pets have been in hot demand as families have spent more time at home over the past few months.

Owning a pet has so many benefits, especially for kids, but there are also some key things to consider when deciding if your family is ready for a pet and which one is right for you.

Numerous studies have shown children with pets have lower stress levels, improved self-esteem, trust and empathy for others, and decreased feelings of loneliness.

Dr Hayley Christian, from the University of Western Australia and the Telethon Kids Institute, said her research had also shown children with a pet dog were more active.

“They are walking more, they are doing more physical activity in general and are more likely to meet the Australian physical activity guidelines which is really important for health and development,” Dr Christian said.

“And we know that when adults and kids are physically active they are not just physically healthier, they are mentally healthy as well.”

Dr Christian’s research also found kids aged five to seven with a pet had fewer emotional problems, difficulties with other children and behavioural issues.

They were also better at sharing, coping and co-operating.

“The kids that had a pet were 20 to 30 per cent less likely to have any social or emotional problems,” she said.

“Pets were really good in terms of less emotional symptoms and peer problems, but also more positive prosocial behaviour.”

She said these benefits were strongest among dogs owners, while families with one child also saw greater benefits.

Other research she has done found children aged 10 to 12 with a pet dog were also more independent.

“They are being allowed to have those important opportunities to develop their independence, whether that’s walking to the local park or shop, learning to navigate around their neighbourhood, and develop some resilience in a safe way,” Dr Christian said.

Dr Christian said that while dogs were hard to beat in the physical health benefit stakes, other pets were also good for their owners.

“There has been research to show that the simple act of patting a pet can lower our blood pressure and heart rate,” she said.

“It’s all about the level of interaction you can have with that pet and it’s also about the level of attachment.

“For a child who is highly attached to their pet bird or fish or even hermit crab, then they can potentially be getting those benefits.”

Dr Christian said caring for a pet also taught kids a sense of responsibility and routine, as well as important lessons about the cycle of life and death.

“It teaches them how to care and be responsible for something other than ourselves, which in turn teaches us about being more responsible for our own wellbeing and what we do,” she said.

She said pets also provided a “listening ear” when children needed to unburden their worries.

“They can be amazing confidants, someone to talk to, especially for kids. Being able to chat to their pet about how they are feeling and their emotions is really important,” Dr Christian said.

The RSPCA has seen inquiries from people wanting to become foster carers soar during the pandemic and adoptions have also remained strong, despite those wanting to adopt having to meet their prospective pet and conduct interviews over video.

“We had over 3000 people sign up to be a foster carer in just over four days at the start of the pandemic,” said RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty.

“That was astronomical.”

Mr Beatty said the rush to foster and adopt was driven by the ability of pets to relieve stress during a difficult period and people having more time at home.

Dr Christian said spending more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic had lifted one of the key barriers to pet ownership.

But she warned new pet owners to think about how their animal would cope when life returned to normal.

“I would just urge on the side of caution.” she said.

“Always do your homework because as we come out of COVID-19 then these pets might be left at home alone.

“There’s a responsibility that needs to be carefully thought about as we come out the other side.

“We do have pets in our lives for a long period of time, depending on what they are, and they do come with responsibilities. Not just around feeding and water, but also exercising, vaccinating, training and socialisation, and not to mention there is cost.

“There are a number of things we need to factor in and make a decision carefully.

“They are an important commitment but what we get back from all those commitments far outweighs the costs that might be involved.”