Best Pet for A Kid. The Family Pet.
For many kids, the family pet is their best friend—a companion who
not only provides unconditional love, but who also teaches them
about friendship, responsibility, loyalty, and empathy. While most
family pets are cats and dogs, other animals can be wonderful
additions to your home. Rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs,
small birds, and fish can make great family pets, for instance, as
long as they receive the specialized care they need. Even though
these animals are smaller than a cat or dog, they require just as
much attention and care.
The key to creating a true "family
pet"—one who is gentle, loyal, and loving to both animals and
people—is to treat the animal as a beloved family member and to
provide the training and care he deserves. It's not enough to get a
pet "for the kids." A pet is not a temporary playmate for children,
but a lifelong family member who depends on the entire family,
especially adults.
How old should my child be before we get a pet?
Although many experts recommend a child be at least six years old
before a pet is brought into the family, you are the best judge of
your child's maturity. At the very least, your child should exhibit
self-control and understand (and obey) the word "no." If you think
your child is ready for a pet, first introduce her to friends'
well-behaved pets so you can observe your child's behavior around
them.
Should we get a young animal or an older one?
Many families with young children choose a kitten or puppy,
believing these pets are safer, easier to train, and more adaptable
than older, larger pets. But this isn't always true. Because puppies
and kittens are fragile, require extra time and care, and are prone
to play-related scratching and biting, they may not be appropriate
for a household with young children. Adopting a friendly, calm,
adult animal who has a known history of getting along with young
children may be the best choice for your family. Before making a
decision, talk with animal experts such as veterinarians, animal
trainers, and animal shelter adoption counselors who can help you
select the right animal for your family.
What kind of dog is best with kids?
As a parent, you want your child to be safe around your dog. You
want to know which breeds are good with children and which aren't.
The truth is, all dogs have the potential to bite, and a dog's breed
is only one of many factors that affect temperament and behavior.
The best dogs for kids are those who receive proper socialization,
humane training, exercise, and attention; who are given adequate
food, water, shelter, and veterinary care; who are sterilized; and
who are safely confined.
How should my child interact with pets?
To protect both your child and your pet, it's critical that an
adult supervise all pet-child interactions. It's also important to
help your child see the world through your pet's eyes. Ask your
child how he would feel if someone poked at his eyes or pulled his
ears. Explain that even the most docile pet has limits, and that all
animals must be treated with caution and respect. Help your child
understand that:
- Pets need space and may not always welcome human attention,
especially when eating, playing with their toys, or resting.
- Pets may become upset by too much petting or stimulation.
Teach your child to heed warning signs (such as hissing, lip
curling, retreating, and growling) that indicate her animal
friend wants to be left alone.
- Other people's pets may feel and display discomfort if your
child touches or even approaches them. Tell your child to get
permission from an adult before touching another pet. Explain
how some pets may feel threatened when stared at, cornered, or
hugged.
- Animals in pain may lash out or bite anyone who tries to
touch them. Teach your child to leave an injured pet alone and
to immediately notify an adult.
- Some dogs get excited and may even become more dangerous
when children scream and run. Teach your child appropriate
behaviors around dogs.
- Dogs contained in yards or cars may try to protect their
territory if approached. Teach your child not to tease or get
close to them.
How can I help my pet feel safe?
Pets, like children, need time to adjust to new surroundings and
circumstances, and need opportunities for "down time." Provide pets
with a place of their own where they can retreat from children.
Don't put your pets in situations where they feel threatened. For
example, dogs left alone in yards can be accidentally or
intentionally teased by neighborhood children. What's more, pets
live longer, healthier, and safer lives when kept indoors with the
family.
How can my kid help care for a pet?
Allowing children to help care for a pet teaches responsibility
and instills a feeling of competency and accomplishment. Choose
tasks appropriate for the age of your child. Even young children can
be involved in some aspect of caring for an animal friend—selecting
a new toy or collar, assisting with grooming, or carrying a food
can.
How can I teach my kids to take good care of pets?
The best way to teach your children how to be responsible pet
caregivers is to be one yourself. This should start before you even
get a pet—make sure you have realistic expectations about pet
ownership. And take steps to select the right animal for your family
at the right time.
As soon as you bring a pet into your family, set up and enforce
rules regarding proper pet care. For example, tell your children not
to pull the animal's tail, ears, or other body parts, and insist
that they never tease, hit, or chase the pet. Teach children how to
properly pick up, hold, and pet the animal. These simple lessons are
essential to helping kids become responsible caretakers.
Although certain pet-care activities must be handled by adults,
you can still include your children by explaining why and what
you're doing. For example, when you take your pet to the
veterinarian to be spayed or neutered, explain to your child how the
operation not only reduces pet overpopulation but can also make your
pet healthier, calmer, and more affectionate.
Also involve your children in pet-training activities, which not
only make your pet a more well-mannered family member, but also
teach your child humane treatment and effective communication.
Ultimately, your children will learn how to treat animals—and
people—by watching how you treat the family pet. They'll study how
you feed, pet, and exercise your companion animal. And they'll pay
close attention to how you react when a pet scratches the furniture,
barks excessively, or soils in the house. Frustrating as these
problems are, "getting rid of" the pet isn't just unfair to the pet
and your children, but it also sends the wrong message about
commitment, trust, and responsibility. When faced with pet problems,
get to the root of the problem. Often a veterinarian, animal shelter
professional, or dog trainer can help you resolve pet issues so you
can keep the whole family together.
