Pet dogs
Kenneth Timmis, Terry McGenity, Lisa Stein, Jack Gilbert, Ricardo Cavicchioli, Balbina Nogales, James Timmis and Nicole Webster
Daddy: Maisy has just been given a gorgeous little puppy for her birthday. Can we have one?
Owning a pet dog is often seen as a fundamental right for children and offers many benefits. Dogs provide health and developmental advantages, such as microbiome enrichment, which supports immune development and reduces allergies, regular exercise, and fostering a sense of responsibility. Their companionship also promotes feelings of joy, affection, and emotional support during stressful times.
However, dogs can transmit infections and parasites and have a significant environmental footprint, mainly due to dog food production. This impact can be reduced by lowering meat consumption and using plant-based alternatives. Owning a dog thus impacts several Sustainable Development Goals.