Your child is begging for a pet. You think it’s a good idea but aren’t exactly sure which pet would be the best choice. This is a big decision that you shouldn’t make lightly. Having a pet in your home can affect your family in a lot of different areas so you should put some time and thought into making the decision. Some of the deciding factors include the age of the child, how much upkeep the pet requires, and why you want your child to have a pet. Let’s look at some of these factors so that you can make a wise choice when getting your child a pet.

Age of the Child

The age of your child or children is probably the biggest factor when choosing a pet. Some things you should think about concerning age are:

• Is the child old enough to appreciate and interact with the pet?
• Will the child be safe around a particular pet?
• Is the child old enough to know how to treat a pet nicely?

How Much Upkeep Does the Pet Require?

This is a very good question. Only you know how much time your family has to devote to a pet. Pets that are left alone a great deal of time tend to get lonely and exhibit destructive behavior. You don’t need the guilt of worrying about whether or not the pet is not being treated right, so if you don’t have time to devote to a pet or your family is away most of the time, perhaps getting a pet at this time isn’t such a good idea.

Here are some more ideas to consider about the upkeep:

• Is the pet you are considering a high-maintenance pet?
• Will it require grooming to keep it clean?
• Does it need to be walked or will it have to be accompanied when taken outside?
• Do you take frequent family trips?

Why Do You Want Your Child to Have a Pet?

Some parents like their child to have pets because it teaches them to be loving and kind. The child learns to be nurturing to another living being. Other parents want their child to have pets because they want to teach them responsibility and to learn to care for an animal. Both of these are good, just be sure that your child is old enough and capable of being responsible for the pet. It is also a good idea to have a game plan if your idea doesn’t work out and you end up being the one taking care of the "child’s" pet.

By thinking through the idea of getting a pet for your child instead of making a spontaneous choice, you will have a better understanding of what type of pet for your child would be a good match and if they can take care of the pet. Think ahead to avoid making a mistake that just might be hard to fix later on.

Jason Ladock

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