Keeping pets is an educational, fun way to introduce kids to having responsibilities. The key to a successful pairing lies in choosing the appropriate pet for your child's abilities, age, and interests, as well as what you're willing to tolerate in the house.
Step 1
Wait until your child expresses an interest in getting a pet. If you bring something home for them before they mention it, there's a very good chance that they'll be disinterested, and you've just given yourself a new pet to care for.
Step 2
Discuss the animal in question with your child. If you're not willing to have certain animals around, then make sure that you provide some alternative suggestions.
Step 3
Research the different possibilities together with your child. Public libraries have hundreds of animal care books. For the latest publications, browse the Pet section at a book store.
Step 4
Read up on whichever pet you both decide on, before you buy it. There may be complicated elements of its care and feeding that you weren't initially aware of, which often makes the difference between suitable and not suitable.
Step 5
Set limits and rules regarding the care of the pet ahead of time. Explain your expectations, so you can be sure that they're understood.
Step 6
Discuss your budget before you walk into the shop - there are SO MANY fun things for pets available, that your excited child will want to buy all of them.
Step 7
Examine the animals' condition in the store:
- Do all of the animals for sale look healthy?
- Are they active, eating and drinking?
- Are their eyes bright and clear?
- Are the cages clean and free of excessive droppings?
Step 8
Leave the shop and try another location, if you see any signs of illness or poor care. Your child(ren) will protest - this is their big moment, and they want to buy something right that minute.
Step 9
Explain that the store only had sick pets, and that you will go immediately to one that has happy, healthy animals.
Step 10
Better yet, do not go to a traditional pet store at all. Some pet stores purchase animals from "puppy-mills" (or their equivalent for other animals) where the animals may not receive adequate exercise and care. Pet store animals can also be harder to house train (they're used to "going" in their cage). Research the type of animal you are looking for and find a reputable breeder or consider adopting a pet from your county animal shelter or the SPCA. At the very least, find out where the pet store gets there animals from and then do some research on their supplier before supporting them.
Step 11
Let your child choose the appropriate accessories and the actual animal him/herself. As the parent, you always have veto power for things that are too expensive or inappropriate, but don't forget this is their pet.
Step 12
Help set everything up once you get home, and make sure the cage (if there is one) is assembled properly.
Step 13
Enjoy watching you child's first steps toward growing and learning new skills.
Tips
- Do your pet store research in advance, on your own. This can help to avoid the situation in steps 7 and 8. Also consider getting an animal from a shelter or a reputable breeder instead.
- Be reasonable about what is appropriate for your child's age and personality. A 6 year-old may want a brightly-colored talking parrot, but the care and handling of these birds is extremely advanced, even for experienced pet owners. That parrot may also still be around when your 6 year-old is thinking about where to retire. Keep in mind an animal's life expectancy when deciding on an appropriate pet for your child.
- If possible, buy the equipment such as a bed, cage, litterbox, and toys a day before you get your pet.
- Visit www.petfinder.com to find a pet that needs a home. Adopted pets are far less expensive than pet stores, and often far more rewarding.
- Visit your county/city website (or call) and find aout about your local municipal animal shelter.
Warnings
- Check out http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/Commercial-kennel-facts.html before you buy an animal from a pet store.
- Always leave open the possibility that your child may lose interest in whatever animal you choose, no matter how enthusiastic he/she was at the beginning. If you're not willing to become the caretaker of the animal when this happens, make some alternate arrangements well in advance with a friend who will adopt it.
- If your goal in getting your children a pet is to teach them responsibility, make sure you are being responsible yourself. Finding a new home for an animal or taking it to a shelter when the kids lose interest teaches them that responsibilities go away once you decide you're bored. If the whole family is not willing to make sure the new animal is cared for throughout its lifetime, get your child a plant or a virtual pet instead.
