Five things to consider before buying a pet for the children
A lot of things have to be considered before buying a pet for your family or for yourself if you are single... You will certainly know your children, their habits, their likes, and dislikes and you have to make decisions accordingly. Here are some things to keep in mind when considering welcoming a pet into your home.
- The age of your child or children
A very young child may be afraid of a large pet and, at the same time, be too rough for a small pet. Trying to train a small puppy or kitten may be too big a chore for you if your children are also at the age of needing training. It might be wise to wait until your children are toddlers or over the age of 5.
- Focus on your child’s interest
If you know that your child or children do not like dogs, then a dog would not be a good choice. In order to enlist their help in caring for the pet, it would be a good idea if the pet you choose is also one they will love...
- Consider the health problems
If your child has an allergy to pet hair and dander, choose a pet that does not shed. There are many breeds of dogs that do not shed. However, there are no cat breeds (unless hairless) that do not shed. There are reptiles, such as iguanas, turtles, and lizards that could make a good pet, but forget about cuddling and training.
- Easy training
The pet you purchase for your children should be easy to train. Some breeds of dogs are very intelligent and train easily and some are very stubborn and hard to train. Do some research and talk to breeders before making a decision. Kittens are fairly easy to train to use a kitty-litter box. However, someone has to be responsible for keeping it clean daily.
- Consider the price
While purchasing the pet, you should consider its price and not only the initial price. You have to consider long-term care for your pet. Some pets have a history of good health while others are notorious for having health problems. Check with your veterinarian to discuss which breeds are known to be the healthiest.
