Animals are such agreeable friends; they ask no questions they pass no criticism.
- Author: George Elliot -
If you are here you have probably heard this question, or a variation of it, recently. You are here to either to decide if a pet is a good idea for your family, or to research just what type of companion is most appropriate for you and your child’s lifestyle and personality. I can help. I have two children, ages thirteen and seven, and I have always had pets in the household, from their birth on, but these questions still came up, because even if you have pets the question can come up because at some point they want their “own” pet. We currently share our home with two dogs, both mutts from the pound, four cats, two ball pythons, two budgie birds, a sun conure, three skinks, two gerbils, and several aquariums of fish, and have had several other types of pets throughout my life. I have also done extensive research on many pets to see if they were appropriate for my home(many weren’t).
The first thing to understand is that if you choose to get a pet it is a responsibility, not just for your child but for you. Depending on the child’s age and capabilities they can assist with the care and feeding of your new family member, but it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the child keeps their end of the bargain, you pick up the slack, or another more appropriate home is found for the animal. Remember that although some of these pets require very little care, and others require more attention, all of them are dependant on us for their survival and happiness.
On a lighter note, pets provide children with something that no toy can. Even a very young child can understand that these pets are at least somewhat dependant on them. This can engender a sense of pride and responsibility that nothing else can. Most of these animals return love and affection, and all can provide a nonjudgmental sounding board. A fish may not actually listen, but I have heard my five year old joyfully sharing her thoughts with her little school of fishes, and telling them how much she loves them. The comfort that a pet can provide can be invaluable, and they provide a connection to nature, and can even encourage more positive connections with other people. They help to encourage a respect for all living things, and even some of the pets you wouldn’t think of as affectionate can be very much so. My ball python, Solomon, is the second most affectionate animal in the house. He doesn’t require much attention, like some of the others, but whenever I take him out he wants to rub noses, and he loves having his chin scratched.
Dogs
Pros: Very trainable, interactive, and affectionate, great variety of personalities and sizes
Cons: High maintenance, require training for a happy healthy pet.
Cats
Pros: Low maintenance for an uncaged pet, affectionate, interactive.
Cons: Litter boxes, sleep often, difficult (but not impossible) to train
Large Rodents
Pros: Fairly interactive, usually somewhat trainable, pleasant to pet
Cons: Usually very active, if kept outside of a cage they chew, need a large cage if caged
Small Rodents
Pros: Generally handlable, entertaining, small living space requirement
Cons: May bite, cages must be cleaned, short life span
Ferrets
Pros: Entertaining, somewhat trainable, affectionate
Cons: Extremely active, requirement for a large cage or "ferret proofing" the house, tend towards nippiness.
Birds
Pros: Great variety of sizes and maintenance requirements, trainability, and affection
Cons: Cleaning of cages, feathers get everywhere, possibility of disease
Reptiles
Pros: Easy care, low maintenance, no dander, great for people with allergies, food is inexpesive, most are quite handlable
Cons: High initial setup, possibility of salmonella, freak out factor with friends
Hermit Crabs
Pros: Interesting to watch, good for those with allergies, low maintainence
Cons: High initial setup for proper care, many breeds and requirements with usually little information about which breed you purchased, not easily handled
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