For many families, having a pet feels like the peak of happiness. This is generally a step that comes soon after having children or as you are considering having children. It often seems that having children means having a pet as well. They are a natural companionship in a family life. There are many reasons for having a pet. You want to educate your child about the world around them, and show them how to take care of someone else. Once you have set your mind on adopting an animal, it is important to get things right from the start.
Create The Right Mindset For Your New Friend
It is not uncommon that the family pet is treated as the child’s first pet. As a result, you need to prepare your house and your child for the newcomer. Begin with a simple discussion with your child to share with them the possibility of having a pet. It is important to observe your child’s reactions. If your child is excited, you can go on. If your child reacts aggressively or starts panicking, you need to understand that now is not the right time to adopt a pet.
Having a pet is not like buying a toy. It is time consuming and, while it is a great way to develop your child’s sense of responsibility, it is essential to train your child to do simple household tasks before the arrival of a new companion. Additionally, pet allergies are very common and can cause trouble for families who adopt an animal for the first time. Before you decide on a pet, you may want to expose your little one to animals to be sure they don’t show signs of allergies.
Small places – Small Pets, Huge Fun
Often the size of your house will determine for you the type of animal that you can adopt. This doesn’t make it any less fun! For small apartments, a fish tank is often a great solution as it creates a perpetual sense of light and movement that is ideal for quiet children. There will be some tips to pick the right aquarium and care for your fishes. You can check Reef Nation to read the latest trends. If your child wants to help, you can consider adopting a small mammal, such as a hamster or a pet mouse. It will need regular attention and will provide lots of entertainment too! If this is too much for you, you can become a bird owner. Birds, while demanding a lot of attention, don’t need as many activities as mammals.
Bigger Places – Bigger Pets, Same Fun
For bigger houses, you could look at adopting a dog or a cat if they don’t show signs of allergies. This is the best way to get your child a new best friend, and they are fun for the entire family. While there are recommended breeds that are better for families and young children, any dog can be an amazing friend with the right training. Cats tend to be a lot easier to accommodate as they require less care.
No matter what pet you choose, be sure to keep these tips in mind to find the right pet for your family.
We have owned our fair share of different types of pets and currently going through this very dilemma with our daughter who is really keen to get a cat but we are doing some thinking and research on other options as a first pet for her. Thanks for the helpful share.
Very nice post. 🙂
I recently got a Jack Russell Terrier puppy in my home. And, everybody especially my kids are loving his company. We have built a dog house for him. We think that he also liked it. He has accepted us & miss us when one of a person goes missing (out for work or school).
I have two sons. I don’t have any pet before. Lust month I bought a Labrador Retrievers. It is very affectionate and loyal. The dog has become the best friend of my kids and spending endless hours playing together. It never seems tired. My dog is not well trained but still, its behavior is admirable. I love the dog just like my sons. Thanks for your nice post, I have enjoyed my reading.
Hi Christy, lovely article. Just want to say, I have 2 dogs and a cat and they are as much a part of the family as my children. But one thing people need to be prepared for is that they shed and that pet hair can get everywhere – particularly in the spring when they lose their winter coat. I would never put anyone off getting a dog or cat just make sure you have a good vacuum cleaner (ideally with a HEPA filter) and a little extra time to clean up after them.
I totally agree! I’ve found some good tools to use in the cracks and crevices of my steps, but I have to use a pet vacuum almost daily. They’re worth it though!
The cleaning is definitely something to consider. I have two golden retrievers myself and I find myself continuously vacuuming to keep my home clean and tidy. Having an excellent pet hair vacuum is definitely a must if you have pets that shed!
I have 4 cats too so I feel you!
I don’t know whether my kids will be able to get settled with my pets or not. But, I can tell you that I’ve been raised along with a dog since my birth. We both used to be of same age till 13 years but then he left us alone and got his place in heaven. May god give him rest in peace.
Also, I don’t think that some troubles are even troubles when we get adapted to the same routine. Yeah, I’m saying about vacuuming and stuff. I don’t feel it hectic when I have a pretty strong pet friendly vacuum. However, I requires to clean my home 2-3 times a day to keep it clean and hygienic.