Can I Have a Pet?

Every parent wonders when and if they should get their child a pet. The real question is, should a family get a pet. Regardless of a child’s solemn promise to care and love an animal, a pet is a household responsibility. So here are a few things to consider before adding a furkid to your family:

  1. Pets can teach responsibility and nurturing. While it is essential to teach your child to feed and physically care for a pet, there is another side to pet ownership. A pet is also a friend who needs and gives emotional support. Pets offer a kind of friendship that other humans do not, giving your child a more balanced life.  
  2. Animals can help with family bonding. Siblings and parents can form bonds through the shared experiences of having and caring for a pet. Pets become a part of a family, creating memories that can last a lifetime. 
  3. Consider your child’s developmental stage. Your child should be mature enough to interact and care for an animal – usually around five or six. Younger children sometimes have difficulty distinguishing a toy from a new pet and engage in rougher play. This confusion can provoke biting or aggressive behavior from your new pet. 
  4. Research kinds and breeds of animals. There are breeds of dogs that are more easygoing and have better temperaments around small children. Some cats can be standoffish or skittish, while others love to cuddle and play. Carefully consider the animal’s characteristics before bringing him or her home. Also, be sure that you know a pet’s expected lifespan, potential health issues, exercise and grooming needs, and the costs of food, habitat, supplies, and veterinary care. 
  5. Examine your family’s schedule. It’s essential to know how much time your family will have to take care of a pet. If you have an active lifestyle, a low maintenance pet such as a fish might be a good fit. A puppy, on the other hand, is much like having a new baby. He or she will need a consistent routine to be correctly housebroken, exercised, and fed. Here is a quick overview of different kinds of pets to consider:
  • Dogs and cats – Both have relatively long lifespans, give and need affection, and require ​daily hands-on attention. 
  • Rodents – Hamsters, gerbils, rats, and guinea pigs make good starter pets because the length of the commitment is shorter. These animals have lifespans of two to seven years. Their daily needs of feeding and watering are minimal; however,  they do require affection and regular cleaning of their habitats. 
  • Birds – Birds have wildly different lifespans, depending on the species. For example, macaws can live up to 100 years, while even a parakeet might live 15-18 years. Birds vary significantly in their need and desire to interact with children, so choose the best bird species for your family.  
  • Reptiles – Most reptiles have lifespans that are measured in decades. Their feeding needs can also be more complicated and expensive. They are typically not considered to be affectionate animals. 
  • Fish – Fish are extremely low maintenance, but can teach your child responsibility. Fish can be scaled to your level of commitment and available space – a goldfish in a bowl to a full tropical aquarium. 
  1. Add up the costs. There is the initial cost of the pet and its needs (shots, food, habitat, toys, etc.). You need to also think about ongoing costs. What if the animal becomes ill or injured and requires veterinary care? As the animal ages, will it need extra attention, medication, or treatment? 
  2. Think about what you are teaching your child. Making a commitment to an animal models excellent behavior for your child; however, if you decide the pet is not right for your family or no longer have time to care for the pet, this may teach your child that a pet is not a lifetime commitment or disposable. If the wrong pet is brought into the family and needs to be rehomed, this could cause heartbreak for your child. 
  3. Consider the timing of getting a pet. Think about your child’s age and the lifespan of the pet. Getting a kitten for your teenager may seem like a fantastic idea, but what happens when he or she moves away from home or graduates? You could be the one caring for an elderly cat for the next several years. 

There are countless benefits to having pets. The joy and love they bring with them cannot be measured. With some research and well thought out planning, adding a new member to the family can be one of the best decisions you ever make!