Have you been thinking about bringing a pet into the family? If so, there’s a lot that you need to bear in mind. Let’s show you some of the things you need to bear in mind.
Look at Your Child’s Developmental Stages
While there are many adorable Havanese puppies and many other beautiful breeds around, you’ve got to remember that before you select a pet, you’ve got to wait until your child is mature enough to be able to care for the animal. If you have really young children, it can be difficult because toddlers can be quite rough with the pet. Younger children actually have difficulty distinguishing animals from toys, which means they could provoke the animal to bite. The best time to bring a pet into the household is when your child is between the ages of five or six. If your child is ready, you need to discuss the needs of the animal and make sure that your child is ready for the responsibility. The best way to help your child with this is to go and visit a friend or family member that has a pet so your child can see first-hand what needs to be done to make sure they can do it.
Understand How Much Time You Have
Pets like cats or dogs require daily attention. There are other pets like hamsters or guinea pigs that don’t require much care. The latter may be a good choice for younger children because it gives them the time to learn about what is involved. A goldfish is another good choice because they only require feeding every two or three days. But if your child really wants a dog, you’ve got to make sure that you are ready because if you aren’t ready for the responsibility, this could be too much for everyone, including the animal themselves. Because if a dog comes into a loving home, only for the dog to have to go back because you cannot take the time to look after them, this can be quite traumatising.
Choosing the Right Type of Pet
When it comes to choosing animals like dogs, there are certain breeds that are more placid around children. For example, beagles or retrievers are known to be more easygoing. However, breeds like boxers or French poodles might be a bit more unpredictable. You always need to bear in mind the characteristics of the animal when selecting the right pet.
Deciding on a Younger or Older Pet
An older animal is usually a good choice for a child because if you choose a young one like a kitten they could bite because they are frisky and untrained. When it comes to buying pets, go for reputable breeders or shelters.
When you decided you wanted to be a parent, you might have given thought to bring a pet into the household. A pet is, in many ways, similar to when your child came along because it will change everything, seriously. This is why you’ve got to choose carefully!