The relationship between pets and kids.

We have a dog and a cat right now, and a 6 month old daughter.

I never had pets growing up, and I feel like I missed out on the relationship a lot of kids have with their pets -- most of my friends growing up had either a dog or a cat and they really were wonderful friends and companions.

I can already see the bond that is developing between my daughter and the pets we have. If she's upset for some reason, both the dog and the cat will run over to try and see what's wrong or comfort her. She seems to be soothed a lot by their presence too - when they are in her line of sight her face brightens up so much!

Did you have a pet as a child? If you have kids now, do they have a pet as a companion? What is their relationship dynamic like?

I'm in the same boat as you in that I didn't have pets as a youngster. Looking back I think it did me more harm than good as I was petrified of animals until I was a teenager. I'm still nervous around dogs and birds now, though have found myself at ease with almost everything else.

My little boy has only had hamsters so far- he is 3- and when we move house in a couple of weeks I am considering getting a cat. He is always so fascinated by cats in our current area and it has taught him to be gentle and quiet around them so he can pet them.

Obviously it is each family to their own, but I personally feel that not having a pet around the house when I was younger meant I missed out on something, and that isn't what I want for my son!

(06-28-2015 06:00 AM)Natalie89 Wrote:  I'm in the same boat as you in that I didn't have pets as a youngster. Looking back I think it did me more harm than good as I was petrified of animals until I was a teenager. I'm still nervous around dogs and birds now, though have found myself at ease with almost everything else.

My little boy has only had hamsters so far- he is 3- and when we move house in a couple of weeks I am considering getting a cat. He is always so fascinated by cats in our current area and it has taught him to be gentle and quiet around them so he can pet them.

Obviously it is each family to their own, but I personally feel that not having a pet around the house when I was younger meant I missed out on something, and that isn't what I want for my son!

I definitely hear where you are coming from about that feeling of missing out on something. I also liked what you said about your son learning to be gentle and quiet so that he is allowed to pet cats. I feel like pets also teach kids SO much about responsibility and about treating others with respect and kindness. I think it's a good thing all around, really!

You'll have to keep us posted if you do end up getting a cat - and hopefully share some pictures with us too!

I had a cat growing up and we were so close!

Now I have two daughters (8 and 11) and we have two dogs, a cat and a bearded dragon. Our dogs are more bonded to the younger of the two girls. I believe it is because of her energy being so close to theirs haha! Our cat is bonded with my older daughter. She is more calm and will just sit and "have conversations" with Gucci, they just like to be together.
I do think it is something special, for sure.

Growing up we always had pets. We had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, ducks and even a pig. We always bonded with our animals. That is why I am such a huge animal lover now. My children always had cats growing up and fish. Hard to bond with a fish though but it was something for them to take care of and taught them responsibility. I have two cats now and one of them is really close with my grand daughter. He follows her everywhere and sleeps with her. It is too cute.