Owning a pet is a great experience and I believe it’s a fundamental part of growth for children. It teaches them to grow up with a sense of responsibility and understanding of what it’s like to take care of something other than yourself. It creates habits to care about something in return and care about those around them. My whole life I have had animals so I don’t know any different but now that I do have children I find that it is amazing to watch them interact with each other, teach them how animals behave and see how they live. It’s quite magical to see how they evolve with their pets and the different phases they go through as they bond.
Why is it good for kids to have pets?
- Teaches Patience & Responsibility
- Shows Empathy and Value
- Teaches how to care for something other than yourself
- Boost self-confidence
- Teaches self worth
- Gives positive affirmations
- Teaches the circle of life
When is a good time to get your child a pet?
I would really base this decision off yourself and if you are ready for this stage of your kid’s life. Getting a pet is a huge responsibility and if you aren’t ready then it won’t go as well as planned. If your kid loses interest and you are stuck taking care of the pet having a plan will determine the best pet for your family.
Here are a few things to consider when deciding if it’s time:
- Your kid won’t stop asking for a pet
Usually this is the first sign when a parent has to make a decision on pet ownership. I am a firm believer in working for things. I did it as a child and so should our children. If they keep bugging you about it. Make goals for them to accomplish that will prove to you they are ready to own a pet.
- You find your kid is sensitive and/or shy
This might help dramatically if you are having social issues with your kid, they are on the shy side, or they just don’t make friends as easy. This might help a lot and encourage them to speak up more. Animals have a natural way to communicate with us and it is proven to help boost confidence in humans. Also with the increase in the responsibility will encourage them to talk more (which will probably be about their new pet!) and if they don’t they will at least have a friend that isn’t imaginary.
- Your kid loves animals so much and you want to do it as a family
This is a given. If they love animals, talk animals, breathe animals then you will have to get an animal. It’s good for a family to share a common responsibility and love for something and I think it is also a bonding tool. Taking the time to work together as a family and teach them how to care for animals can bring the family together.
Choosing the right kind of pet for your kid’s personality?
I would start out by answering a few questions when picking out a pet for your kid…First, does your kid get excited over a specific animal? That is your number one clue on which direction to go. Now if they like bears, I am not saying to go out and get a bear. That would be silly…well unless you’re me of course I would want to go get a bear, but then my more sensible husband would say lets get a dog that looks like a teddy bear or just go get a giant stuffed teddy bear and the kids will be just as happy! And then I will come back down from my fantasy and make a decision off reality!
So back to bears, if they like bears see what they like about it. Is it because they’re big and scary or is it because they have a teddy bear that they always have tucked under their arms? If it’s closer to the second reason then they definitely want a pet that they can cuddle with. A pet with fur would be a good start and maybe a pet that is more on the social side like a mouse or a cat. Majority of boys may like more rough and tumble types of pets like reptiles or fish but sometimes you can have a boy that really likes cuddling so maybe a furry animal might be a better choice. Majority of girls like furry animals but maybe they are really allergic or want less interaction with their pet so choosing a reptile might be a better route to go. Cost is another big deal breaker when choosing a pet too. Especially your first pet, do not go the expensive route.
How active is your kid? Do they just go-go-go all day long from one activity to the next or are they the type to just sit and tinker on things quietly? If they are more active then a ferret or dog might be a good choice. Where as if they are more of a quiet type a reptile might be a better choice.
Ask your kid what their favorite animal is and give them a choice of animals that are on your list and see what they say. And then ask them questions about why they like this animal and why they don’t like the other animals on the list.
What type of pet is good for a first pet?
- Dog
This would be a great choice for a family pet. Dogs are social creatures and require the most attention out of all the pets I have on my list. You need to do a lot of research and homework for this pet. Rescuing is very important to me because working in the veterinary field I have found it the most rewarding and to tell you the truth those pet stores buy “puppy mill” dogs which I am totally against. Finding a good breeder is hard because the lack of laws on selling animals creates people in it for the money more so than the love. Talk to Veterinary places, rescues, dog owners on recommendations to get the best idea where to start in your area.
Labrador/Golden Retrievers-highly active but obedient and easy to train. Very family oriented.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-very affectionate and trainable. Under 25 pounds full grown this is an easy starter dog if you have never owned a dog before. They are great family pets.
Poodle– The poodle comes in three different sizes and is considered a very laid back breed. They enjoy human company and are very obedient and adaptable to different lifestyles. Another great family breed.
Rescue Mixed breeds-Purebred dogs aren’t always the best choice. They are more expensive and can have more medical issues if you don’t research reputable breeders. The laws on selling puppies are very minimal and some people don’t care about quality so I always recommend rescuing because you can find a wonderful mixed dog and also be saving a life which will teach your kids great value.
Choosing the right kind of pet for your kid’s personality?
I would start out by answering a few questions when picking out a pet for your kid…First, does your kid get excited over a specific animal? That is your number one clue on which direction to go. Now if they like bears, I am not saying to go out and get a bear. That would be silly…well unless you’re me of course I would want to go get a bear, but then my more sensible husband would say lets get a dog that looks like a teddy bear or just go get a giant stuffed teddy bear and the kids will be just as happy! And then I will come back down from my fantasy and make a decision off reality!
So back to bears, if they like bears see what they like about it. Is it because they’re big and scary or is it because they have a teddy bear that they always have tucked under their arms? If it’s closer to the second reason then they definitely want a pet that they can cuddle with. A pet with fur would be a good start and maybe a pet that is more on the social side like a mouse or a cat. Majority of boys may like more rough and tumble types of pets like reptiles or fish but sometimes you can have a boy that really likes cuddling so maybe a furry animal might be a better choice. Majority of girls like furry animals but maybe they are really allergic or want less interaction with their pet so choosing a reptile might be a better route to go. Cost is another big deal breaker when choosing a pet too. Especially your first pet, do not go the expensive route.
How active is your kid? Do they just go-go-go all day long from one activity to the next or are they the type to just sit and tinker on things quietly? If they are more active then a ferret or dog might be a good choice. Where as if they are more of a quiet type a reptile might be a better choice.
Ask your kid what their favorite animal is and give them a choice of animals that are on your list and see what they say. And then ask them questions about why they like this animal and why they don’t like the other animals on the list.
What type of pet is good for a first pet?
- Dog
This would be a great choice for a family pet. Dogs are social creatures and require the most attention out of all the pets I have on my list. You need to do a lot of research and homework for this pet. Rescuing is very important to me because working in the veterinary field I have found it the most rewarding and to tell you the truth those pet stores buy “puppy mill” dogs which I am totally against. Finding a good breeder is hard because the lack of laws on selling animals creates people in it for the money more so than the love. Talk to Veterinary places, rescues, dog owners on recommendations to get the best idea where to start in your area.
Labrador/Golden Retrievers-highly active but obedient and easy to train. Very family oriented.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel-very affectionate and trainable. Under 25 pounds full grown this is an easy starter dog if you have never owned a dog before. They are great family pets.
Poodle– The poodle comes in three different sizes and is considered a very laid back breed. They enjoy human company and are very obedient and adaptable to different lifestyles. Another great family breed.
Rescue Mixed breeds-Purebred dogs aren’t always the best choice. They are more expensive and can have more medical issues if you don’t research reputable breeders. The laws on selling puppies are very minimal and some people don’t care about quality so I always recommend rescuing because you can find a wonderful mixed dog and also be saving a life which will teach your kids great value.
- Fish
Fish may seem like an easy pet but they are a little more complex than you think. You have to think about all keeping the water just right, having the right fish together, the right size aquarium. They are very fascinating to watch and they are great for kids who are afraid of the dark because it’s a natural night light that puts them to sleep easily. There is a lot to learn about fish so if it’s your first pet I would start out small and go bigger once your child has gotten the hang of taking care of them. Some good species to read about are Goldfish, Betta fish, and Tetras.
- Ant farm or raising butterflies or preying mantis projects
If you just aren’t ready for a pet but you know it’s something they want this is a great way to get them involved and keep the responsibility to a minimum. These pets are fascinating and the kids learn so much about our environment we live in and how animals are a part of the circle of life.
Website to learn more about monarch butterflies and how to raise them at home.
Youtube video on how to make an ant farm at home.
If you don’t want to make one here are some popular ones
- Rabbit or Guinea Pig
Rabbits-Interactive and fun pets. Live about 10-15 years. Sleep with their eyes open. Approach slowly because they are prey animals and can actually die from a heart attack by being scared too much. Floppy ear bunnies are the cutest but usually have more medical issues like reoccurring ear infections. They can get up to 20# depending on the breed. Make sure to support their butt when holding them because they can become jumpy if they don’t feel safe. They can be litter box training but make sure to use rabbit specific litter. They eat pellets, hay and leafy greens. They can get dental issues because their teeth grow like nails and need special chewing toys to file it down. Make sure to spay and neuter because the phrase multiple like rabbits is actually very true! They are considered low maintenance pets. Make sure to look for breeders where you know the bunnies were hand fed and handled frequently because it will make a huge difference on how social they will be. Social animals so pairs will keep them occupied.
Guinea pigs- are similar to hamsters except they are larger and closer to the rabbit size but don’t live as long, usually 8 years of age. Social animals so pairs will keep them occupied. They are very sweet and docile. They are low maintenance and respond to kids very well.
- Hamster or Gerbil
Hamsters and gerbils are the cheap route to rodents and they don’t live much more than 3 or 4 years so if your child loses interest you don’t have the burden as long. More entertaining they love to move around. guinea pigs can smell because they are always using the bathroom and not as easily trained for litter box training.Hamsters are nocturnal so mostly active when your kid isn’t this one thing the store doesn’t tell you when buying your first pet.
- Mouse or Rat
Mice and Rats are great choices for first time pets because they are small, not too expensive, and there isn’t as much responsibility compared to your typical pet like dogs and cats. They are social animals so it is recommended that getting pairs is better. When choosing pairs it’s a good idea to get females because they don’t fight like males tend to do. Plus no accidental babies!
Mice-Mice have a short lifespan of 1-2 years so mice are really good first time pets for kids and parents. They are small and easy for kids to take care of, but because they are small they are also on the fragile side so teaching your kid about handling them is key to a great relationship. Mice do poop and pee all the time and you may get it on you. They are easily trainable animals and quite intelligent, so kids can go so far with bonding with this pet. They are nocturnal so they are more active in the evening and night time so plan a good spot for their cage ahead of time.
Rats can live longer than mice but not by much, about 2-3 years. Typically they get tumors and in the vet world it is rare to do surgery. I have found that females are best because they are more affectionate, they are very playful, and don’t smell as much as the males do. Rats are very similar to mice just a little bigger and more active with more intelligence.
- Bird
Birds are extremely beautiful animals to watch but can be known as biters if not socialized properly. Some cons can be they are messy, loud and some can be pricey to own. If you are considering birds I would do tons of research on what is best for you and your kid. Cleaning their cage more often is recommended. They need a large space for a cage to climb around like branches in a tree. Fresh food daily is important too, a mixture of seed and different fruits and veggies specific for the breed. Interacting outside their cage at least 2-4 hours daily with their owner is very important for their stress level.
Being prepared for your new pet
Most of the animals I chose are because they have low maintenance for caring and responsibility. This is important because children have short attention spans and if you get a pet that is a lot of work, they may get disinterested quickly and then you will be caring for them instead. Plus, don’t you want to make your life easier from the start?
Make sure your child doesn’t have any underlying issues with allergies towards animals. A great way to find out is to expose them to the pet you want to get them before you invest your time, money, and energy into a new pet.
A few things to take into consideration when you are choosing a pet:
- How much space do you need?
How big your pet or how active your pet is can be a way to determine how much room your new pet will need. For example, if you have a hamster you may not need a lot of space but you hamsters are active so you may want to put a wheel in the cage or tubing to give them ways to exercise. Another great example is a Mastiff dog. They are one of the largest dog breeds but as soon as they get out of the puppy stage they are actually quite lazy dogs so would do very well in an apartment. They are great family dogs as long as you have kids first.The reason I say this is because it will be easier introducing a puppy to a child because they are at the same brain mentality. It’s like putting a 4 year old in with an elderly who doesn’t care for children. You are asking for problems. Now every situation is different and some dogs do well with transitions. I am only suggesting ways to be prepared for what could or couldn’t happen. So use your judgement when making the ultimate decision.
- Finding out all about your pet of choice before you buy your pet
I can’t stress this one enough. There are so many ways to research a pet nowadays that you shouldn’t have an excuse. Everyone usually test drives their new car before buying it don’t they? I think this is very important because there may be some things about your pet that you don’t know and maybe don’t like. If you know a lot about your pet beforehand then you will also have a better understanding of what your pet needs or likes based on what you learn. Plus you need to help your kid learn about the pet too! Remember this is truly a learning experience for your kids t
- What if your kid doesn’t like the pet you choose?
- How much supplies and where to find these supplies?
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