Are you wondering whether dogs and babies can coexist in a house? We have answers.
Dogs are like family members for their owners. You like to keep them well-fed and shower as much love as possible. Then comes a baby, and your pet is no longer an only child.
It’s only natural if you’re worried whether your dog will adapt to the new addition or not. Let us resolve your concerns.
Do Dogs Get Attached to Kids?
A recent study has found that dogs and babies might share a more profound connection than thought. It’s not only you whom your dog synchronizes with; it’s your children too.
At Oregon State University, Corvallis, the researchers asked thirty children aged 8-17 to walk around a large empty room between color-taped lines with their off-leash dogs behind them. The results showed that dogs followed the children and synchronized their movements around 60% of the time, much higher than expected.
Even though the results showed less synchronization than between dogs and their adult owners, they indicated that children and dogs share a stronger bond. The researchers believe that dogs pay tremendous attention to children and try to learn from them, which shows the signs of a positive and beneficial relationship.
The lead author of the study, Monique Udell, shared that sometimes dogs and babies aren’t given enough credit.
“Our research suggests that with some guidance, we can provide important and positive learning experiences for our kids and our dogs starting at a much earlier age, something that can make a world of difference to the lives of both.”
So, let us highlight a few benefits of a relationship between dogs and babies.
Dogs & Babies
You have a baby, and you have a dog. What’s the connection? Well, they can be best friends.
Constant Companionship
If you own a dog, your child might never have to worry about having a companion. Your pet can be his best friend, his support system as he grows up, his play pal, as well as his cuddling buddy.
Dogs and babies are much similar in the way that they both want attention and love. Let them be together, and you get to enjoy a wholesome relationship full of comfort and true love.
Fostering a Responsible Attitude
Owning a dog gives the child a sense of responsibility and care. He learns to take care of his needs and wellbeing. The adaptive and loving nature of babies makes them protect and care for their dogs.
Additionally, dogs are loyal pets. They develop a sense of loyalty and compassion in children as well. The unconditional love of dogs also boosts children’s self-esteem and helps them excel in their life.
To us, this seems like a good enough reason to keep dogs as a pet for your baby.
Increased Physical Activity
Keeping a baby entertained and distracted from harmful things could be difficult for human beings, but dogs are great at it. They can keep babies busy for a long time and even exhaust them, helping babies have a peaceful sleep later.
A pet offers a much healthier activity for children in comparison to spending hours in front of screens. Having a play buddy increases their motivation to participate in indoor and outdoor activities.
Stronger Immune System
You may be worried that having a pet can have adverse effects on your baby’s health, but researchers suggest otherwise. Your child needs some germs to develop a strong immune system, and that’s where the dog steps in.
Studies show that babies with dogs at home are likely to have a strong immune system. They have fewer allergies, require fewer medicine dosages, and less chance of skin diseases, such as eczema.
Pet dogs also help children feel calm and less stressed, eventually building their overall health.
Better Bonding Among Siblings
Keeping a dog brings a sense of responsibility, sharing, and selflessness in babies, which helps them bond better with their siblings too. It builds patience in them to tolerate and share.
Further, their pet’s mutual activities and possessiveness also lead to more understanding and affection among them. The siblings begin to divide dog duties amongst each other and enjoy taking care of the little mutt.
The pleasant memories of their childhood strengthen their bond later on too.
Improved Emotional Intelligence
Dogs help children recognize and manage their emotions and also teach them to care for others. They make them more compassionate and also bring empathy to them.
The loyalty and companionship of a dog strengthen children’s belief in honest relationships, thus improving their emotional intelligence quotient.
Your child can also learn about the cycle of life from dogs. While a pet’s sickness or death can be a severe incident for babies, it teaches them the biggest lesson of life that everything is temporary. Such a reality helps children understand life better.
Dogs Bring Joy
Do dogs get attached to kids? Dogs make them the happiest!
The tiny little creatures are a great source of comfort and contentment for kids. Dogs become children’s playmates, protectors, and helpers too. Even if you’re busy, the pet can keep your child company.
They ease their loneliness and encourage physical and emotional wellbeing in them.
Maintain Caution
As much as dogs and babies might be good for each other, never leave your baby unsupervised around your dog. They both don’t know but they can hurt each other.
So, better safe than sorry, right?
Conclusion
Dogs and babies make a positive difference in each other’s lives. So, if you’re worried about whether you can opt for a baby as well as a dog, the answer is a big fat yes.
Bringing home a dog can be one of the best decisions you might make for your baby.
