Are your children begging you to buy a cute floppy-eared puppy or a
scaly green lizard? If you’re trying to convince your child they don’t
need a pet, then you may want to rethink your decision.
"A pet can give children a sense of responsibility, a chance to care
for something smaller than them and a feeling of unconditional love,"
says Missy Stover, a Child Life specialist at Children’s Mercy
Hospitals and Clinics.
Many people only think of dogs or cats as pets, but really there are a
variety of more exotic animals kids can take care of. These pets
include birds, lizards, even snakes.
"By exposing children to a variety of different animals, you may help
them overcome some of their preconceived fears about a particular
animal," says Stover.
Buying a pet - especially more exotic animals - should not be entered
into
lightly. The decision should be carefully thought out by the whole
family.
"Responsibility for the pet doesn’t just fall on the child, but instead
the whole family should participate its care," says Stover.
As children grow up, more responsibilities of caring for the pet can be
given to them. For example, when a child is young let them put food
into the pet’s bowl, then when they are older increase their
responsibilities.
One giant responsibility that comes with a pet is keeping up its
health. Children should be involved with this so that they too know
what’s going on with their pet.
"Children should be allowed to go with their pet to the veterinarian’s
office," says Leddy.
Here are a few suggestions Stover gives when you are considering to
become a pet owner:
- Decide the kind of commitment you are willing to make to a
pet. Before buying an animal, you must consider its needs as well
as your family needs.
- Consider the animal’s temperament. When choosing pets for
small children, consider the breed and temperament. Research what type
of pets interact the best with children.
- Your lifestyle. Consider your environment: What size is your
yard or house? Are you home a great deal or are you gone a lot?
- The age of your child. The best time for children to acquire
cats or dogs is after the age of five. But if you’d like your younger
child to experience the love of a pet, make sure you are there to
supervise their interaction.
- Look at your family’s health concerns. Are there any
allergies a family member has?
