When yourself as a parent contemplates bringing a new animal into your home it is incredibly important to find a pet that will be compatible with your children. Not only should the animal’s temperament and behavior be assessed, but the activity level of your child is a factor that needs to be considered as well. Once you welcome your animal into their new home remember to keep it up-to-date on all of its vaccinations so that it can live a long, healthy life.
1) Dogs
Dogs are the go-to thought when someone says they are looking for a family pet. Dogs provide companionship and love, and they can often live through the entirety of your son or daughter’s childhood. Although they bring ample joy dogs also bring the added responsibilities of walking, training, exercising, and grooming them. Extensive research should be done on the various breeds and the compatibility of their temperament with your child’s temperament before you settle on a particular one. Keep in mind also that large dogs generally need more exercise as well as a large back yard, and they are generally not suited for small houses or apartments.
2) Cats
Cats generally require slightly less maintenance than dogs and can often be just as loving and caring when it comes to having a family pet. Cats often have an even longer lifespan than dogs, so they too will be in the household for a lengthy amount of time. Older cats are generally better able to manage the frantic movements and loud noises younger children can often supply. Although cats do require their alone time they can end up becoming quite the companion for a child.
3) Puppies & Kittens
Although it might seem like a harmless enough idea to bring a young, small animal such as a puppy or kitten into your home in order to have your child and animal grow up together, sometimes this decision can end up being detrimental to both the animal and child. Because neither young animal or child know exactly how rough they can play, the safety of each can be at risk. A puppy could bite too hard or a kitten could accidentally claw at a face. There have also been many cases where a child has tripped over an animal or hugged them too tightly, leading to a broken paw and worse. The best rule of thumb is to find an animal six months or older for a child younger than five.
4) Other Pets
Hamsters, bunnies, fish, or birds can also serve as great pets if you plan on allowing your child to take on most of the responsibilities of owning an animal. These are fairly low-maintenance and low-cost options that will teach your child to care for and protect another living being. These are also great starter pets to see how your child interacts with animals. If things go well with this first pet you can then consider introducing a dog or cat into the home.
