A pet for a child: how to choose and not regret

A pet can become a loyal friend for a child, help develop responsibility and empathy, but only if the choice is made consciously and taking into account the age, health and lifestyle of the whole family. Before bringing a kitten, puppy, or hamster into the house, parents should honestly answer themselves who will actually take care of the animal, whether there are allergies in the family, and whether adults are ready for additional costs and worries. Psychologists and veterinarians remind you that a pet is not a toy for the holidays, but a living being that will require attention for many years. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Where to start choosing

The first step to making the right choice is to understand why a family needs a pet and what tasks it should solve: become a friend to the child, motivate them to walk more, or maybe teach them responsibility. Experts recommend discussing these goals with children, but leaving the final decision to adults, since they will bear the brunt of care and treatment.

The age of the child plays a key role: until about 5-6 years old, experts recommend treating the animal as a "family" rather than a "personal" pet of the child. At this age, toddlers still do not know how to control strength and emotions, so all contact with an animal must take place under adult supervision in order to protect both the child and the pet.

Child's age and suitable pets

Psychologists note that by about 5-6 years of age, children can already learn the basic rules of handling animals and remember that a pet is not a toy. At this age, you can consider unpretentious animals that are interesting to watch: fish, some rodents, and with the calm nature of the child, a cat or a small dog.

For younger schoolchildren (7-9 years old), the range of opportunities is expanding: the child is able to take on some of the regular responsibilities — feeding, simple cleaning, and help with walks. Teenagers can already participate in dog training, cat care, or more demanding pets, but adult supervision is still necessary, especially in veterinary and financial matters.

Living conditions and family health

Before choosing an animal, it is important to evaluate housing: in a small apartment it is harder to get along with a large active dog that needs long walks than with a cat or a rodent. A private house with a yard, on the contrary, creates the best conditions for companion dogs who need to play and run in the fresh air.

Allergies are a separate issue: the hair of cats, dogs, and even rodents often provokes reactions, so if you are prone to allergies, doctors advise you to consult first and possibly consider hypoallergenic options like fish or turtles. It is also important to discuss hygiene with the child in advance: washing hands after communicating with the animal, the prohibition of kissing the pet and sharing food with it help reduce the risk of infections.

The pros and cons of popular pets

In order not to make a mistake with the choice, it is useful to imagine in advance how the family's life will change with the appearance of different animals. Below is a brief overview of the main options that are most often considered for children.

Dogs

Dogs are considered ideal companions for active children.: they make good contact, love games and help the child move more and spend time outdoors. Veterinarian and psychologists note that it is the dog that most often becomes a partner in walks, sports and joint activities.​

However, a dog is the most time— and effort-demanding option: it needs daily walks, training, high-quality food and regular visits to the vet. Experts warn that a small child will not be physically able to control a large dog, so the breed and size should be chosen so that the child is able to keep the pet on a leash at least in the long run.

The main advantages:

• a constant companion for games and walks;

• developing a child's discipline and responsibility through participation in care and training;

• possible security features and a sense of security.

The main disadvantages:

• a lot of time spent on walking and parenting;

• substantial expenses for food, veterinarian, grooming;

• risk of injury due to rough handling or improper training.

Cats

Cats tolerate loneliness better, are relatively unpretentious and at the same time create a sense of comfort in the house, which makes them a popular choice for families with children. Experts note that communicating with a cat teaches a child to respect personal boundaries: the animal shows when it is ready to play and when to leave it alone.​

On the other hand, cats are more likely than other pets to cause allergic reactions and do not always tolerate the obsessive attention of children. If handled incorrectly, even the most affectionate pet can scratch or bite, so it is important for parents to explain to the child how to hold and pet the animal.​

Advantages of cats:

• cleanliness and relatively simple maintenance;

• the opportunity to leave home safely in the absence of family;

• the development of tact in children and the ability to take into account the mood of another.

Minuses:

• possible allergy to wool and saliva;

• independent character, more difficult to respond to "commands";

• risk of scratches if handled improperly.

Rodents and rabbits

Rodents are often the first choice: hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, chinchillas take up little space and do not require long walks. Experts note that many of them are friendly to children and teach them to be careful through caring for the cage.​

But such pets have their own characteristics: short life span, nocturnal activity, a peculiar smell and sharp teeth, which can be a difficult test for an impressionable child. Experts advise younger children to choose larger and quieter rodents — guinea pigs or chinchillas, and hamsters and rats — for older and more careful schoolchildren.

Advantages of rodents:

• easy maintenance and compact design;

• the opportunity to gradually trust the child with cleaning and feeding;

• an interesting observation of animal behavior.

Minuses:

• a short life, a difficult experience of loss for a child;

• nighttime activity and noise;

• risk of bites if handled carelessly.

Fish and turtles

Fish and turtles are suitable for families where the most hypoallergenic and relatively safe pets are needed. They are interesting to watch, they help the child to calm down and can be the first step towards forming a sense of responsibility through simple duties of feeding and caring for an aquarium or terrarium.

At the same time, adults need to be prepared for technical nuances: cleaning filters, maintaining the right temperature of water or air requires time and knowledge. The slowness and "taciturnity" of such pets can quickly become boring to active children, so they are more often recommended to introverted and observant children.

How to consider a child's character

Psychologists emphasize that the coincidence of the temperaments of a child and an animal is important for a harmonious friendship. Restless and emotional children are more often advised to have companion dogs that will channel energy into joint games and walks.

Introverted, calm children are often better suited to cats, fish, rodents or reptiles — you can observe them more than actively interact with them and not overload them with communication. If parents are worried about socialization, experts recommend considering affectionate cats or friendly dogs of small breeds with whom the child will learn to build a trusting relationship.

How to prepare a child for the arrival of a pet

Experts advise explaining to the child in advance that a pet is a responsibility, not a gift "for one holiday." It is important to discuss how long different animals live, what obligations the family assumes, and what tasks will be entrusted to the child himself.

Step-by-step preparation may look like this:

1. Read a book together or watch an educational video about your chosen animal species.

2. Discuss the rules of treatment: how to pick up when not to interfere, why silence and neatness are important.

3. Make a list of the child's responsibilities, from simple feeding to cleaning.

4. Visit a shelter, pet store, or petting zoo to observe the animals in person and see if the child is ready for such a neighborhood.

Many psychologists recommend giving your child small "training" tasks even before the pet arrives, such as watering flowers on a schedule or reminding them of something important to form a caring habit.

How to distribute responsibility in the family

Experts are unanimous: the main responsibility for the health and well-being of an animal always lies with adults, even if the child promises to "do everything by himself." It is the parents who make decisions about visits to the vet, purchases of food and equipment, and also monitor whether the child fulfills his promises.​

At the same time, the child's participation in care is mandatory.: this helps him to form stable habits and teaches him to finish the job. Psychologists advise assigning specific, feasible tasks to the child — for example, filling a bowl, helping on a walk, cleaning a cage under the supervision of an adult.

To avoid conflicts, it is useful to agree in advance what will happen if the child forgets about his duties: the parents will insure the animal, but the issue of responsibility will definitely be discussed later. This approach teaches you not to give up what you started and at the same time protects your pet from hunger and stress.

When is it better to wait for a choice?

Sometimes the honest answer to the question: "Is the family ready for a pet?" turns out to be negative, and this is also a manifestation of responsibility. Experts advise postponing the appearance of an animal if the family has a difficult financial situation, a move or the birth of a younger child is expected, as well as if there are serious allergic or immune problems.

In such cases, you can offer the child an "alternative".: visiting a shelter, temporarily overexposing animals, participating in charity events, or helping to care for the pets of friends. This will help to maintain interest in animals and a sense of belonging, without creating unnecessary stress for the family.

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