Choosing The Best Pets For Kids

"Can I have a puppy? Please, oh please, I'll take care of it and look after it and everything"

Just what do you say to your kids when they ask for a pet? It is perfectly true that growing up with a family pet can teach children responsibility and to develop their social skills. Also cultivating good feelings towards pet animals helps kids to develop a sense of self esteem and help them to establish trusting relationships with other human beings. But before you give in to your kid's demands for a pony, rabbit, salamander, kitten, boxer, python, or macaw, there is plenty for you to consider.

The first thing to keep in mind is that no matter how much your kid promises that she or he will be the one to take care of the pet, some if not all of that responsibility will fall upon you. That is an inevitable, inescapable fact. No matter how good the child's intention is, there will be some, and perhaps many, occasions when other things take priority in their minds and the pet is unintentionally neglected. That is, the pet would be neglected if you were not there to step in, because somebody has to.

Secondly a child may sincerely believe that the thing that they most want in the world is a cute little black and white kitten, just like their best friend of the moment has. The child has really convinced themselves that they want a kitten, and a kitten will hold their interest for ever and ever. And so it would, until their new best friend of next week gets a pet lizard which is just sooo cool. So you will want to make absolutely sure that the pet that your child is demanding will be a long term passion, and not just a fleeting interest.

It will be a good idea to discuss the idea with the whole family. How do they feel about yapping dogs, hair shedding Persian cats, squawking parrots? If one of your children is allowed their very own pet hamster, will all of the child's siblings demand a pet of their own too? Does anybody in the family suffer with an allergy that would make sharing their home with a certain animal intolerable?

Is the type of animal your child is asking for suitable for your family, and your family's life style? A dog that needs two trips to the park every single day may not be suitable for a family who is away from the house all day. And no matter how much the child promises that they will walk the dog, there will be times that they will fail to do so, (and times that you may not want them to, after dark for example). Choosing pets for kids is not easy, often the type of pet that they plead for would not be the best match for their age and experience with animals.

You should also consider cost. Not only the cost of acquiring a pet, but more importantly the cost of taking care of it. All animals involve a financial commitment, food, vet bills, pet care products etc. You don't want to acquire a pet for your kid only to find that you don't have the financial means to keep it. Small pets for kids often have less costs involved in looking after them than larger pets do.

There are many other things to consider when choosing pets for kids, but hopefully this short article will have prompted you to think about the fact that buying an animal for a child, is not the same thing as buying a kid a cell phone or a bicycle. Pets are living breathing creatures, they need care, they need commitment, they need love.

About The Author

Larry Chamberlain lives in London, England, and has had a lifelong fascination with domestic cats. His web site - http://www.best-cat-art.com - provides information about all that is best in cat art. Also pages about cat and kitten care and information on cat breeds and types.

 Larry Chamberlain

More Articles 

RecoveryPets.Com vs. Other Pet Registration Services - Thaddeus Collins
For those pet owners who do not know what a pet registration service is, or the benefits they provide, this article will try to explain these services. Pet registration is how lost pets get returned to their owners, it as simple as that. The owner...

How To Help The Displaced Pets Of Hurricane Katrina - Hannah Chastain
The temporary shelters are filled and the pets left behind by victims of Hurricane Katrina are turning up in shelters and Humane Societies across the South. Many rescuers have stopped trying to find the dogs and cats, and have opted to just...

Nutrition and Arthritic Pets - JR Rogers
We have talked about the importance of both diet and exercise when dealing with a pet that has arthritis. I think that diet is such an important issue that it is one we should discuss in greater detail. It is becoming common knowledge that as...

Diabetes in Pets - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
Your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes, a disease that will necessitate conscientious treatment on your part for insulin administration, diet control and monitoring. Since your animal cannot control his blood sugar, you will play an important...

Peculiar Pets - Jonathon Hardcastle
People have found shelter and comfort in pets since the beginning of time. Animals have been man's best friend, protector and a source of great pleasure. Dogs, cats, parrots, birds, rabbits and horses are the most commonly kept pets. In societies...

Are Your Pets Covered By Health Insurance? - Elizabeth Newberry
When you think about purchasing health insurance, you probably only think about your children, your spouse, and yourself. You either buy into the health insurance package offered by your employer or your spouse’s employer, or you seek an individual...

A Sense Of Security Provided By Recoverypets.com Pet Tag - Thaddeus Collins
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property will be there when you need it, but ownership of a pet requires a different type of security measure. Because, pets are living creatures with minds of their own, they have a tendency...

Treating Pets with Eye Medications - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
To treat your pet's eyes with medication, try to following steps: Gently tilt the head back so the eyes are looking at the ceiling. Medicated Ointment: Roll the lower eyelid out, forming a 'pocket', and place a small amount of...

Beware Of The Holiday Goodies That Are Not So Great For Your Pet's Health - Robin Perdue
The holidays mean plenty of fatty treats for most people. Who can resist …... candy, cookies, fudge, egg nog, pumpkin pie, not to mention the home cooked meals and family togetherness? It’s part of the spirit of the season. While we may not be...

Recognizing Medical Emergencies in Pets - Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital
IS IT AN EMERGENCY? Some emergencies such as seizures, heavy bleeding, gaping wounds, collapse, and paralysis are easily identified as requiring immediate attention. Other kinds of emergencies are not so easy to recognize but may be just as...

Pets Can Greatly Improve Your Health - Adoz Lizzat
Having a pet is one of the healthiest investments you can make to your long-term health and happiness. We know that having a pet enrichs our lives, and scientific studies in the last decade, have clearly shown how companion animals benefit both our...

Pythons Are Becoming Common Pets - Lazarus Prabhu
The days when people had only dogs or cats as pets are gone. Today, the number of people who have pets that were once considered unorthodox is on the rise. Python is one such pet. Pets, as we know, are fun. And pythons are big fun. They will...