Finding a really cute dog or cat that your little one could take home is easy. But that isn’t all you should consider when you think of getting a pet for your child.

You need to think about what are you ready for and what is your child ready for? What do you and your child need? How much responsibility is this cute little pet going to take from you and your child? Will this fluffy, sweet little thing going to be what your family and your child will really benefit from? Then you can decide whether you are ready.

Studies of children with pets have shown some very positive outcomes. For example, pets can decrease the stress levels of children significantly. Just petting the fur causes a change in the child’s stress level.

Children talk with pets and often share their thoughts with them. Sometimes children tell their pets more than they tell anyone else. Having a dog as your confidant can be beneficial to a child. Maybe that is why more than 70% of households have at least one pet (“How Kids Benefit from Pet Ownership,” S. Gordon, Verywellfamily, 2023).

Another benefit from having a pet is that children will frequently read to the pet. This is one more way to increase a child’s reading skills. All you have to do is suggest a good book for your child to read to your pet and you will see your child’s enthusiasm.

Another positive benefit for a child is the increased physical activity that should come with the new pet. Taking a dog around for a walk or playing ball with the dog are additional benefits from having a pet.

Sometimes people get pets to teach their child to be more responsible. This can work if it is not taken to extremes. To teach a child to be more responsible toward their new pet, a parent needs to also be involved. As a parent you can never totally step away and expect learning to occur. Stay involved.

Just having a dog or cat decreases the anxiety of a child. At times when a child has been involved in a court case and becomes anxious about it, it helps to even have the child’s pet nearby to decrease the child’s anxiety.

There are many positive benefits for a child to have a pet. “It has become clear that pet ownership impacts various mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and autism.

Individuals who are struggling with medical conditions, such as seizures, tics, chronic pain, and other conditions have anecdotally reported benefits from pet ownership,” notes psychologist Dr. A. Lockhart (“How Kids Benefit from Pet Ownership,” Verywellfamily, 2023).

But take your time and do your research before you pick up that adorable bundle of love. Think about where you live. Do you have a big yard? Do you rarely go traveling?

These thoughts are good places to begin to figure out whether your child and your family are ready for a pet and which type of pet would be best for your home.

Then pick up and cuddle that soft bundle that has so much to offer to your family.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which published newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents.