A guide to getting your child a pet

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If you’re considering adding a family pet to your home, consider your child’s age and personality and how much work your child would reasonably do to care for an animal. Most pets require some type of adult supervision, and you shouldn’t just assume your child is doing the right thing and taking proper care of them. Unless your child is older and quite responsible, you should assume that caring for and feeding a pet will be the responsibility of many family members.

Owning a pet has pros and cons, so think carefully about how much time and money you’re willing to commit to owning an animal before you buy one. Keep in mind that routine veterinary care should be a regular part of any pet’s life and can be expensive, especially if there is a problem. Some animals, like fish, don’t necessarily need veterinary care per se, but that doesn’t mean their survival requirements still need to be met.

Here are some ideas for family pets to consider:

Reptiles: Do not buy a reptile from a child under 16! We’re not targeting turtles, snakes, and lizards as they make fantastic pets, but these are creatures that harbor the potential for salmonella. A small child may excitedly grab his pet turtle and then put his hands in his mouth after touching it without washing his hands. The reptiles are strictly for older teens who understand a sense of responsibility and will wash their hands after handling them to avoid life-threatening illnesses.

Rodents: Hamsters look cute and furry, and you can get them all kinds of neat quarters with fun climbing tubes and a wheel to run on. However, what most people don’t realize is that hamsters bite hard. If you are interested in a pet that belongs to the rodent family, consider a gerbil instead, as they are much more docile and fairly easy to care for. Beware of a smaller child holding the little critter too tightly and make sure an adult is present, as you would be surprised how easily a rodent can slip out of a child’s hands and quickly get lost in a house never to be found again. For a teenager, you’ll find that rats actually make great pets to keep and can become relatively tame. The only downside is that if your teen isn’t responsible for cleaning the cage every week, rat poop and pee can take on an unpleasant odor that will permeate the room quickly. Keep in mind that rodents breed quickly, so buy just one unless you want babies to invade quickly. Also, do not mix rodents from different litters, as they can become very aggressive with each other.

Dog: Do not expect a child of any age to walk, brush or clean up after a dog or cat. It is a great responsibility that the whole family must take care of. If you are not willing to cooperate here, opt for a pet that is easier to care for. Do careful research on dog breeds to see if they are compatible with your family. A Labrador is certainly an easy-to-train dog that is good with children, but are you prepared to deal with loose hair all over the house? Sure a Husky has lovable blue eyes and a goofy face, but do you have the experience to train a dog that is considered stubborn and high-energy and requires a lot of exercise?

Cat – If you have a busy family that spends long hours at work or away from home, a dog may not be the best option as they are pack animals and want to be part of the family unit. If no one is home for 8-hour periods, a dog is likely to get bored, destructive, and not think to tear up that beautiful couch. In this case, opt for a house cat who certainly doesn’t mind being alone and taking long naps while waiting for you to come home. Keep in mind that most cats don’t like to be handled roughly and are not really suitable for a home with very young children or babies. A cat will not hesitate to scratch or bite a youngster who is pulling on its tail. Shelters have a lot of kittens looking for a good home, so don’t hesitate to adopt one.

Fish: Although you can buy a fish for just a few dollars at a pet store, the hobby can get expensive when you consider the costs of a tank, filtration, heating, and other accessories that many types of fish require. Also, partial weekly water changes are necessary and can be messy if handled by a careless youngster. Don’t be fooled by the idea that those attractive African cichlids or neon tetras can live in a fish tank on the counter. Many of these fish require specific water conditions, so unless you and your child are ready to commit to a pet like this, try something else. However, if you’re looking for a super easy fish to care for, nothing beats a Siamese Fighting Fish (also known as a Betta). They are brightly colored and super hardy as long as you change the water every week, use a dechlorinator for your tap water, and feed them properly. Oh and just keep a male in a bowl, they don’t call them fighting fish for nothing!

Birds – A charming parakeet can be a fun pet for a child and can be relatively inexpensive to keep. Cages come in all sorts of price ranges to suit any budget and seed is cheap. Budgies can be trained to talk and sit on your hand if you make them young and persistently work with them. If you plan to let them out of their cage, it’s best to learn to clip one or both wings so the bird can scoot to the ground and not fly into walls or windows and seriously injure itself. A small child should not squeeze or hold a small and delicate bird like this because it could hurt the little creature. And you might be surprised to note that even a bird as small as a parakeet can make a sound when startled. Parrots are definitely not pets for young children, as they can be very aggressive and easily bite the finger of an unsuspecting child who sticks a curious finger in the cage. Parrots require expert handling to bond with a person in the home and can be downright unpleasant to other members of the family. These birds are long-lived (80+ is not uncommon), and they can also be noisy and messy while throwing their food. Lovebirds, cockatoos, and other similar birds can also make good pets for a child with a strong sense of responsibility.

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