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You might have thought about adding a four-legged friend to the family but wondered if it’s a good idea alongside a young child.

Pets can encourage positive behaviour in us all, from getting us more active to making us follow clear routines. But you might be surprised by some of the ways a pet can be good for your little ones too. We spoke to child psychologist Claire Halsey about the benefits of having a paw-fect companion.

Talk to the animals

Caring for a pet might encourage your child to explore new interests, ways to bond with family, and even language.

“Pets give parents a golden opportunity to have more quality time with children and start new conversations that add to their little one’s vocabulary while teaching them tasks of pet care and simply having fun,” says Claire.

Watching a pet play can bring joy and laughter to your children, while also encouraging chat. An upbeat “What’s doggy doing?” can prompt your child to watch for and name your pet’s feelings and behaviours.

Claire suggests that this can help grow caring qualities in children that are key to getting on well with others.

“Sharing stories of time spent with a pet is another way to encourage speaking and listening together.”

Vida the Vet

If your little one is desperate for a pet, or loves animals in general, they might enjoy the new CBeebies series Vida the Vet, which is available to watch on iPlayer.

Vida the Vet is an animated series following the adventures of ten-year-old Vida, who cares for the woodland creatures that live around her home.

Click here to choose from over 40 episodes on ����ý iPlayer.

A mindful best friend

Playtime can be a great development opportunity for baby and pet alike. If your pet needs lots of physical activity and time outdoors, walks and games can be good for general fitness. But pets can also bring plenty of mental and emotional benefits, too.

“Spending time with animals can warm the heart and is known to increase feelings of calmness and well-being,” says Claire.

Your child can find a great friend in a pet. Not only that but teaching your child to share in your pet’s care can help them to develop a sense of responsibility. Psychologist Dr Sandi Mann agrees, adding that having pets helps children see the world from others’ perspectives: ‘if the pet is asleep, or needs walking at a time inconvenient to the child, they learn that they must put the pet's needs before their own.

Helping children to read a pet’s body language and respond correctly may also help develop their respect for others’ boundaries.

Before owning a pet, it might be a good idea to help your child gain a respect and appreciation for nature and animals outside the house. For example, you could make a bird feeder or mini-beast home in the garden together to teach kindness for small animals.

How to help pet and baby bonding

Young children may need a little help getting used to a new pet and might be wary if it’s their first experience with an animal. Claire suggests involving young children from the moment you start thinking about pets:

“Read books together on the pet you’re thinking of and what care it might need,” she says. “Letting them name the new pet really helps them bond, as will giving them the opportunity to choose some toys for this new family member.”

When you first introduce a new pet, do so slowly, and help your child manage their excitement so you don’t overwhelm the animal. For example, you could start by holding the animal yourself and letting your child approach them quietly.

“Encourage them to touch or stroke their pet by demonstrating yourself first – talk softly about how the fur or skin feels and guide them where to pat,” says Claire. “Be patient while your child and their new pet get used to the experience.”

Children should also understand that pets are a different species and showing human affection such as kissing on the face or hugging can be quite threatening to an animal. Make sure they know what pet behaviours mean “Leave me alone!”, so your child can avoid being bitten or scratched.

It’s important to research thoroughly about the pet you’re thinking of getting and decide whether it suits your family. Pets are individuals; help your little ones to understand that a cat might like different attention to a dog and remind them never to touch another person’s pet without permission. Owning a pet should be a safe and loving experience for both your child and the animal: remember, pets aren’t toys!

So you brought home a human?!

Just as a new pet can be hard for children to get used to, a new addition to the pack can be a daunting experience for a pet who rules the roost. Dogs in particular can be startled by a drastic change to their home life, especially when their new friend is very loud. It’s important to pay attention to your pet’s needs if you’re introducing a new baby to the home.

You can prepare by:

• Bringing out the cot and pram before your baby comes home so your pet can get used to their presence
• Playing noises that babies make so your pet can get used to hearing them (crying can be worrying for a pet that hasn’t heard it before, as it sounds just like an injured animal to them)
• Creating a peaceful space for your pet to have some alone time if they feel overwhelmed. You might consider moving caged animals far away from what will be the baby’s space.

When your pet meets baby, you might:

• Include them – let your pet see, hear and come near baby while you hold them in a calm manner
• Reward calm behaviours when baby is crying to minimise stress
• Give them lots of attention too! Pets can feel neglected when all your time and affection is being given to their new friend.

It is vitally important never to leave dogs and cats unattended with babies, no matter how safe and friendly you may think they might be.

If you have any concerns over your pet’s behaviour and how they may respond to a new child in the home, seek advice from a behaviour expert. The has plenty of resources on introducing a pet to the home.

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