Family Pets – 7 Tips for Choosing an Age-Appropriate Family Pet

Even though your kids want a pet and promise to take care of it, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are mature enough to handle the responsibilities of pet ownership. Pets offer companionship and teach children important life lessons about friendship and responsibility, however, some pets are better than others for certain ages and lifestyles. Following are 7 tips for choosing an age-appropriate pet for your family:

1. Choose a social pet Consider choosing an animal that has already been socialized and knows how to behave around children, such as an older cat or a dog with a history of getting along well with young children. Families with small children should be wary of bringing home a new puppy or kitten since baby animals require extra care and are more prone to scratching and playful biting.
2. Learn about breeds. Using dogs as an example, it’s important to know that some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are traditionally gentle and friendly and, thus, offer a great choice for families with small children. Find information on different breeds online or at the library. Ask veterinarians or friends with similar pets about their experiences. Determine if you can accommodate the type of pet based on their exercise, space and attention requirements.
3. Practice first. If you have never owned a dog before, be sure to do a trial run with a relative or a friend’s dog before committing to the real deal. This way, you can make sure your kids are capable of tackling the responsibilities of caring for a pet.
4. Teach behavior. Show your kids how to act appropriately around animals, such as how to handle their new pet without squeezing, dropping, or disturbing the animal. Remind them to always wash their hands after handling any animal. Never leave a small child alone with a dog or cat until you know the pet is trained to stay calm. Remind children to ask the owner before approaching animals they don’t know.
5. Consider your schedule. Think about how much space you have inside and outside your home to accommodate a pet, how often you are home, and if you have time to devote to feeding, walking and cleaning up after a pet. This will help you determine if you want a pet that needs a lot of attention, or if you want a pet that requires minimal interaction. Also consider any allergies of family members before bringing a pet home.
6. Be prepared. Discuss the pet’s needs and type of care required and try to have all the equipment ready in your home before the new pet arrives.
7. Clean up potential hazards. When bringing a pet into your home, you will need to pet-proof it as you have childproofed your home, such as removing plants that are poisonous if ingested and securing electrical cords so the pet won’t chew on them.

Following are age-appropriate pet recommendations:

• Ages 3 to 5: Consider a guinea pig for preschoolers. Guinea pigs are gentle, like to be held and rarely bite.
• Ages 6 to 10: Consider “shelf pets” for elementary-age kids, such as fish, mice, hamsters and gerbils.
• Ages 10 to 13: Consider rabbits, dogs and cats for tweens.
• Ages 14 and up: Consider a bird or fish for teenagers. These low maintenance options are great for older kids who are busy with school and extracurricular activities.

Following are age-appropriate pet chores:

• Ages 3 to 6: Play with the pet while supervised, help pick up pet toys and wipe up spills caused by the pet.
• Ages 7 to 10: Feed and brush the pet. If the pet is a dog, this age group can help walk the dog.
• Ages 10 and up: Clean a cage, walk a dog, empty a litter box, bathe a pet and help give medications.

Source by Hilary Basile
Article Source: EzineArticles.com