Pediatricians in Austria confirm how much the little ones benefit from pets, how much they learn from them. You just have to stick to a few rules. Our guide to pets in the home.
Many people hold on to what our ancestors taught us: If the (small) child does come into contact with dirt and does not just grow up “clinically clean”, then it will suffer less from allergies later on. And experts also say again and again that the immune system needs training to stay “in good shape.”
Good for physical and mental health
The Society for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine is now underscoring the positive effect pets have on a person’s physical and mental health. But you should also keep in mind the following: you can occasionally transmit bacteria, fungi, viruses or parasites, usually through scratches, bites, feces. Children under the age of five are especially sensitive to this. Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have one. “But good advice before getting a pet is definitely a good idea,” was the association’s tenor.
“May Promote Disease Transmission”
Before joining the family, the animal should receive a thorough veterinary evaluation, receive the recommended vaccinations and be dewormed. And you need basic information: “It can promote disease transmission if children are licked in the face, animals are imported from abroad, or people forget to wash their hands.”
The child learns social skills
But the pediatricians also emphasize that if you follow a few rules, young people in particular benefit enormously from an animal, “building emotional bonds, strengthening self-confidence and personality, teaching children compassion and empathy”. Studies also show that development and social skills are promoted.
What the “Krone” animal corner boss Maggie Entenfellner always clearly points out: “You should absolutely make it clear if there are any allergies to a pet – before you get one! If you have to give up later because of this, drama often ensues. Both for the child who loses his beloved pet as for the animal that no longer understands the world. You have to think in advance: in the long run do you have enough time, love, money for an animal? What do you do on vacation? Everything else is irresponsible.”
Austrians keep more cats than the EU average
A new pet study also shows how much we love dogs and cats: according to this, we keep more cats than the EU average. The number of households with pets has increased by five percent since 2019. And the age groups 35 to 49 years (32 percent) and 50 to 64 years (31%) most often have a four-legged family member.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
