Every kid wants a pet, sooner or later. Some of them will want a fish in a simple bowl, others will want things that slither and crawl, and at some point, every child will ask for a puppy or kitten. When it comes to picking out your child’s first pet there are many things that you need to consider.
The choice of a family pet will be determined by how often people are home, how much attention the pet will need, and who is really going to take care of it. Your child can promise wholeheartedly that they’ll walk and feed that puppy daily, but that joy will wear off when they realize it’s a chore, and then you’ll be the one stuck with the job.
Some Pets Need Training
Consider how much care and training is going to go into your pet of choice. While a hamster or goldfish will need less care and no training, they still need someone around on a regular basis. If you opt for a dog, they will need a good deal of training, whether you get a puppy or an adult dog.
Cats can learn to use a litter box quickly and tend to be the kind of pet that keeps to themselves most of the time. A dog will, however, need a lot of love and attention. They crave affection, and they crave training (and if they aren’t getting it they will show you by tearing up your house and shoes).
How Much Space Do You Have?
You also need to consider how much room you have for a pet. If you have three people living in a small two bedroom apartment, you may not want to get a German Shepherd, and you definitely aren’t going to be able to get a miniature pony. In a smaller home, you want a smaller pet. Maybe stick with a bunny or a guinea pig
If you have a larger home and space for them to run, a dog that is larger and needs lots of exercise or has plenty of energy will do well in your care. This may also allow you more farm-like pets, which offer up plenty of learning experiences for your children.
Consider Your Children
Your child is also a great determining factor in the type of pet you get. If you have an active child that tends to always get their chores done on time and without argument, then a dog could be an alright option. If your child is less active and they tend to never get chores done, then you want a pet that needs less work, like a Siamese fighting fish.
No matter what type of pet you get, it is likely that at some point you are going to need to help out with its care, so pick a pet you like as well. If you’re afraid of snakes or lizards and that’s what your child is interested in, take them to the pet store to help them maybe pick something more parent-friendly!
Originally posted on January 11, 2017 @ 9:12 am
