6 ways to ensure your child is prepared to look after a pet
If you’re considering getting a pet for your family, it’s important to make sure your children are ready to take on the task.
Getting a pet dog or guinea pig is a fun and exciting addition to any family, but it comes with a lot of responsibility and commitment that you need to ensure your little one understands before they get the animal.
If you’re unsure if your child is ready to take care of a pet, we’ve shared some factors to take into consideration to figure out if your child is ready.
Age
Depending on how old your child is, they will have different levels of understanding how much work goes into caring for a pet. A toddler won’t be capable of taking on the responsibility of doing tasks relating to a pet, but a primary aged child will be able to help out in some ways. There is no ‘perfect’ age to get an animal for your little one, but you must decide if their maturity levels are ready for the big task.
Commitment
Having a pet is a lot of commitment, depending on the animal. Dogs can live for over 10 years, while hamsters usually live for 2-3 years. This means after-school activities, free time during weekends and going on holidays could be affected if there is a pet to consider caring for.
Responsibility
There are a lot of tasks that need to be carried out in order to care for a pet correctly. Feeding and walking a pet is just the beginning. Grooming, training and picking up after animals are all roles that should be shared between each family member instead of it being left to just Mum or Dad. If your child isn’t prepared to take on these tasks and would rather just cuddle their animal, they may not be responsible enough for a pet yet.
History with animals
Take into consideration if your child has interacted well with animals in the past. If their friend has a cat or their cousin had a goldfish, have they acted in a positive way towards the animal? If your child is scared of dogs or would have no interest in looking after a rabbit, there is no point in getting that particular animal as a family pet.
Research
Make sure to research the pet you are looking at getting before you welcome it into your home. If you are adopting a dog, make sure they are friendly around children, or if you would like to get a pet tortoise, check you have all of the correct materials they need to live happily and healthily in your home.
Finances
Bringing a pet into a family can add a financial struggle. Between pet food, bed, toys, grooming costs and vet care, animals are expensive creatures to own. Make sure you can afford to take care of a pet properly before even mentioning the idea to your children and ensure they really are committed to having a pet or you will be adding an unnecessary extra cost to your family.