Every child at one time or another asks Mommy and Daddy for a pet—be it a puppy, a kitten, a hamster, a bird or even a bearded dragon! I know this one for sure, because that is what I ended up getting my son. He wanted a snake, and I drew the line. My vet explained that bearded dragons are a better option. We ended up getting Dudley the Dragon and Puff the Magic Dragon. They actually laid an egg, and we had baby Speedy. A learning experience for all of us!
My father was a veterinarian, which influenced my life, and my daughter’s and son’s. We have also had cats, dogs, hamsters and fish, all teaching my children responsibility, empathy and how an animal can comfort them in ways they couldn’t imagine.
How can you tell whether you and your family are ready to handle a pet? A good way to prepare for any pet is to spend time with someone else’s animal. If your neighbor has a dog, give your children the chance to go over and visit. The can ask the neighbor if they can walk the dog, feed him and clean up his poop in the yard. That last one is a biggie that will help you know whether your children are ready for all the responsibility. Another great way to test the water is to pet sit for a family member or friend. This trial run will help you see whether your child remains happy to help feed and clean up after the pet. If your child loses interest, you may need to reconsider.
Children have short attention spans, so make sure their desire for a pet is long-lasting. You don’t want to make a spur-of-the-moment decision on such a long-term commitment. Explain that puppies and kittens don’t stay small forever and that they will grow up with your children. They also require a lot of care—unlike the favorite stuffed animal your child sleeps with. Live animals need food and water, just like kids do, and a safe space to live, which is another consideration. Is your yard fenced? Will there be a safe place for your pet to live?
Another thing to consider is whether your children have the maturity to be around animals. If Grandma has a cat, make sure your children understand that they don’t pull her tail and that cats like their space. When you see that your children have love and respect for animals, you are seeing a plus on the side of readiness. One aside: If you have a child who fears large dogs you encounter on walks or shies away when a cat comes close, resist getting your own animal to teach the child to not be afraid. A better option is to visit petting zoos, so your children can touch and feed critters behind the fence and get more comfortable with animals before you venture into pet ownership.
Older children are obviously more capable of walking a dog, feeding him and putting him outside for bathroom breaks. If your child takes care of himself and brushes his teeth, makes his bed and takes out the trash, he is more likely to be able to take care of the family pet.
If you’re pretty sure your family is ready for a pet, how do you select the one that will be the best fit for your family? After all, families are known to squabble about even small decisions like what to eat for dinner or which movie to watch. The choice of a pet is a lifelong decision—the pet’s life, anyway. Here are several things to consider:
- How much space will the pet need and do you have it?
- What type of pet will fit best with your work schedule? You’ll need to allow ample time to care for and interact with the pet.
- Is anyone allergic to animals?
Get your children involved in deciding what type of dog or cat or other animal to get, naming him or her and picking out supplies like bedding, collars and toys. Kids can take part in visiting the vet and, of course, lots of snuggling and playing. There are books about animals to read, and the Lucky Dog show on PBS gives detailed ways to train your dog. Visit your local animal shelter to see which type of animal attracts your child’s eye, but if you do, be prepared. You may be tempted to go home with him even that day!
Pets are a wonderful part of childhood and will foster pet ownership for life. They teach life skills and bring families so much happiness and companionship. With a little preparation, you can bring your new family member home with no problem.
Sources: IHPI.UMich.edu, TheDailyPup.com