Before you take that adorable bundle of fluff into your home, it is important to consider all the options. Pets are a great way to teach kids responsibility, plus it’s well known that they help prevent loneliness and even lower the heart rate and blood pressure in some people. But they can also take up a lot of time and money and can sometimes end up being too much for a family to cope with. Here are some tips if your child is begging for a pet – or just arrives home from school with a stray kitten…
FUTURE PLANNING
Sit down as a family and play “In a Year’s Time”. This game involves imagining what the animal will be doing in a year. Will the puppy be a huge dog that needs a fenced section? Will the cat be a fluffy one that needs daily brushing? Who will be the one who feeds it, walks it, brushes it and bathes it?
THE BIG PICTURE
Work out how much care the animal will need and how much time that will take and then decide, as a family, whose job that will be and, if that person is away or sick, who will do it instead.
HooE & AWAY
What will you do when you go on holiday? Before you get a pet, find out if you have a neighbour who’d be prepared to feed it. or will you put it in a kennel? How much would that cost and can you afford it?
SPEAK To A VET
Ring your local vet and find out how much it will cost to get your new pet de-sexed, vaccinated and given a thorough checkup. These things can be very expensive so make sure you have the money in the bank before you get the pet. And make sure your children know of this expense.
START SoALL
If you think a dog or cat may be too much responsibility for your children, then start off small with some goldfish or a pet bird or rabbit. They need feeding and cleaning regularly but not walking or grooming. Tell your children that if they can care for them well, then you’ll consider getting a cat or dog.
WHICH BREED?
If you’re considering a dog, think carefully about which breed you want. Very large dogs are hard for children to handle on a walk, while some breeds such as pitbulls have been bred to fight and carry that risk with them. Do some research to find a breed recommended for young kids.
HANDLE WITH CARE
No matter which pet you decide to get, teach your child how to handle them. Simple rules like never squeezing them hard, dropping them, falling on them or picking them up too fast can keep both child and pet safe. Not teasing them, pulling their ears and tail or trying to play with them when they are feeding or sleeping, are all important rules.
STRANGERS’ PETS
Teach your child to never play with animals they don’t know and always ask the owner before approaching pets, especially dogs. When they do, ensure they hold their hand up first for the dog to sniff.
LoST & FoUND
Consider getting your pet from the SPCA or an animal shelter as this way you are giving an animal a home and preventing it from being put down. The staff will also be very useful in helping you choose the right pet for your situation.
WHo’S IN CHARGE?
Realise that once the commitment has been made to bring a pet into your home, ultimately you, as the adult, are responsible. No matter how well-trained and diligent your child is, they can still make mistakes and forget to feed their pet or care for it well. Always keep any eye on your pets to see that they are getting the care they deserve.
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