The veterinarian spoke about the effect of pets on children

Pets teach children to be kinder and more responsible every day. Marianna Onufrienko, Doctor of Veterinary Sciences, expert at the Center for the Study of Nutrition and Animal Welfare, told Izvestia on September 3 about the beneficial effect pets have on young family members.

She clarified that by interacting with pets, children can observe the immediate consequences of their actions and learn to recognize emotions, even if they are not expressed in words. For example, if a child screams loudly or abruptly runs up to a cat or dog, he will immediately encounter the reaction of the animal — avoiding contact, trying to hide. This allows children to understand and share their pet's feelings, reminding them to be careful and respectful. This skill is easily transferred to relationships with other people, helping the child to build social ties based on mutual understanding and friendship.

"Pets can also increase motivation to read and learn — Norwegian scientists have proven that reading in their company, children approach the process with greater concentration and enthusiasm, and in the end they get more satisfaction from the work done," the expert added.

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Onufrienko also stressed that from an early age a child needs to be taught how to handle a pet carefully — this is not only a matter of safety, but also the basis for building a trusting relationship with a pet. In order for children to develop a warm and strong relationship with the animal, parents should involve the young owners in caring for the pet as much as possible.

"If you are just thinking about buying a pet, remember that choosing the first pet for a family with a child is a responsible decision that requires a careful approach. It is necessary to take into account many factors: the temperament of the animal, the level of its activity, the experience of communicating with people," the specialist clarified.

In addition, it is better to establish clear rules of interaction with a pet in advance, before joining the family, explaining them to the child — so communication with a pet will become a source of joy for everyone in the house.

On August 22, Golubev explained why a dog can howl to music. The specialist noted that a pet can demonstrate vocal abilities from boredom, loneliness or even pain, but not always.

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