Right timing for a pet?

Re: Right timing for a pet?

It depends on the maturity of the child and how interested they are in having a pet. If I were a parent I would start out small first. Perhaps maybe a hamster or a guinea pig would be a good start. I would let the child have some responsibility over the small pet, like feeding it and filling it's water bottle up. If they do a good job in caring for a smaller animal and you feel they are ready for something bigger, then you can get a cat or dog or whatever

That's just my opinion and advice.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Like Cheryl said...it depends on the child and the pet, however it also depends on YOU!
NEVER get a pet you are not willing to take full responsibility for, and that doesn't matter if the child is 5 or 15 or 30! Working in a pet store(and with several rescues) I see so many animals that were bought "for the child" and when the child lost interest(as most do when the "new" wears off) and the parent didn't want to be bothered, the animal is dumped. Animals aren't toys and can't just be thrown in a toy box when you don't want to play with them. A pet should be a "family" member and a family decision. If everyone isn't willing to deal with the animal then you shouldn't get one.
As for what kind of pet...that is personal choice. I do NOT recommend mice, hamsters or gerbils for kids under the age of 7...they are small and fragile and can easily get hurt. Younger children do better with guinea pigs and rats because they are sturdier. I think most kids under 5 tend to lose interest pretty quick with most pets. Fish, frogs, small snakes, some lizards and other more "look at" pets (that the adults enjoy and are willing to care for) are good because they don't mind as much when they don't get "playtime".
Dogs, cats, ferrets, small birds(ie:cockatiels and parakeets)and rabbits should only be considered when EVERY family member is in agreement and then you really need to do the research to know what you are getting into....because you are talking a 6+++ year commitment to food, water, clean-up,vet care,excersize, etc.....
Large parrots, large snakes, large lizards,chinchillas, and other exotics ARE NOT PETS FOR KIDS! They require extensive knowledge and care to stay happy and healthy, and should only be attempted by adults who are willing to put the extra work and effort into them.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Good point Bridget!!! I actually meant to say what you said in my earlier post about what the parent is willing to take care of too. Just forgot to put that part. I totally agree with everything you said.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

I knew a 3 yr old girl who killed her gerbil by throwing it against a wall after it bit her.

It is definitely a personal decision. I couldn't give you any better advice than Bridget did!

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Oh, I want to add... I think THE RIGHT cat or dog can be a great playmate for a young child and also a great tool (I didn't want to call a pet that but couldn't think of a better word) for teaching some responsibility. HOWEVER, at that age the parent really has to be willing to be the sole caretaker and know that they are comitting to a 10+ year pet.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

I agree, Elaine! Bridget is right in all that she said. I would say a goldfish wouldn't be too bad. Pretty low maintenance and not a really long life span.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Well - We ahd fih for awhile right when Kate was born - for about a year.

We got cats when I was 1/2 through my pregnancy with P (so it will be 2 years ago this july) Alyssa was going to be 5 and Kate was 1.5. We adopted them from the humane society. The lady who helpped up pick them out was awesome. She led us towards the ones that were more kid friendly and that she thought would do great with the girls at the time.

And they do. We got 2. The girls were pretty rough and that cats took it. They still do. But they let you know when they've had enough. (And the girls aren't as rough now either) I think alot of thought has to go into WHICH pet to get and then finding the one that fits your family.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

I'm very conservative on this issue! As an animal lover, a pet parent to a small herd of animals, and someone who worked professionally with small animals and exotic pets for several years- I have seen the hardships most animals endure when paired with a young child.

10+ years IMO.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Emily is 7yrs old and just got a hamster. She does wonderfully with it and feeds, waters it but I do the cage cleaning. I think it is just a matter of each child's maturity.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Each of my kids "have" a pet they claim. They each help with the animals care. However, I am the one ultimately responsible for all of them, and I brought them all home knowing that when the kids get bored with them, or forget to deal with them that I would be taking over and caring for them for the rest of their life.
Each animal that my kids claim match there age ability:
Jesse(just urning 5) has two tree frogs, they require little as far as work..clean water, food 2x a week and a light turned on every morning and night, they are set up on a natural cycle terrarium so I only have to replace some dirt about 3x a year and wipe down the glass every now and then. Jesse is responsible for turning on the light and helping with the water. He also dumps in the crickets for them to eat.
Jake (7 year old)has a corn snake. It requires fed once a week, the light turned on/off and clean water daily. Cleaning is weekly poop scoop and total clean every 6 weeks. Jake takes care of the light and the water and poop scooping and helps with the feeding and cleaning.
Josh(almost 11) has a cockatiel we have raised since it was a hatch-ling. He is responsible for all the cleaning/feeding/watering as well as making sure the bird gets attention and out time....I just supervise it all.

I wouldn't have gotten any of them a pet that I wasn't willing to make a life-time commitment to myself.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Tessa (8) has a gerbil, and has had it for almost a year. She feeds it, waters it etc... THe only part I help her with is the cage cleaning, not because she can't clean it... She just makes a bigger mess in the process so for now I do it.

The other girls don't have their own pet. We have a dog, Roxanne, and all the girls help care for it. Tessa is responsible for walking Roxanne after school, and pooper scooper, and water.
Sammie (4) makes sure she has food, and likes to brush her.
Karah (3) makes sure the other girls do the food and water (and I'm not kidding either) and is responsible for picking up the dog toys each day.

I make sure that they do what they are supposed to do for Roxanne, and fill in the gaps when they forget.

Re: Right timing for a pet?

Bridget is right - make sure YOU are willing to care for the animal! Drew was 9 when he got his first pet - a dog. We had promised him for years he could have one, but I wouldn't let him get one until I was sure he would be able to care for it. He did well, so the next year we got another one. Both of the kids are good with them, but Drew is responsible for making sure they have food and water and for cleaning up any "messes". This includes pooper scooping the backyards once a week, any messes that are made in the house, and the trash that occasionally gets knocked over. He's 13 now and I have to say he does fairly well. We DO have to prod him to poop scoop (I refuse to do it!), but he does get it done.