The child is the one that asked for the pet. The child is the one that picked out the exact pet that was brought home. And the child is the reason that the dog shakes his head in shame when he has to respond to Plankton as his name. But, that dog or the cat or any other pet that manages to make it into your home is not just the sole responsibility of the child, is it? Like it or not, they become part of the family and as such, are the responsibility of everybody, at least partially. Despite protesting against it, you find yourself feeding the cat or walking the dog from time to time, but does that necessarily mean that your child is shirking his duties? Not really, if one child needed a drink of water, would you really make him wait for it?
Before you even allow a pet to come into your door, sit down with your child lay down the rules and obligations that will be expected of him. Make sure he knows how much food the pet will need, and how often. Make a clear chart with pictures for younger children, or clearly worded directions for older kids. Include rewards and punishments for failing to meet any obligations, for example, if the child does walk the dog on their day, then that child loses TV time. Teaching your child to meet obligations and duties is important to turning out responsible adults.
Remember though, that children will actually forget certain things in pet care, no matter how much they love their furry friend. There might be times when your child is sick, or too busy with schoolwork or extracurricular activities to fulfill all of his obligations. On those occasions, it will be up to you to step in and help the child out. Ultimately, as head of the family, all of the members are your responsibility and that means the feline, canine or miscellaneous additions as well. If you are completely unwilling to step in and take over any aspect of pet care for any length of time, you may want to reconsider allowing a pet at that time.
No matter how well the child does take care of his pet, you must also understand that the financial burden will most likely be on you. You will have to maintain his diet, his vet bills and the other costs of pet ownership, unless you are planning on sending your child out to find a job!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Exotic Pets And Children
Most children love animals and will usually start asking for a pet. Allowing them to have one can depend on many factors including where you live, how much time you have to give to a pet and your child's maturity level. Is your child ready for a pet? Does he display real interest in an animal friend, or is it just the latest whine-de-jour? How does he handle responsibilities? Does he complete his age appropriate chores or is it a constant struggle to get him to do anything? If you cannot get him to pick up his dirty drawers, will he really feed, water and clean up after a pet?
Apartment dwellers are often drawn to the exotic pets because they are small and relatively easy to care for. Before starting to look at actual animals, make sure you know your child's temperament and level of commitment to the idea and then narrow down the search. Find the right category of animal first and then start looking. Your search should take you to a reputable pet shop where a knowledgeable salesperson should take the time to match your child to the right pet, and not just try to make a fast sale. Make sure that you know what kind of equipment your new pet will need to stay happy and healthy before even heading down to the pet shop; some pets will be far more expensive initially than others.
Understand that while the child is the one that is asking for this pet, you will ultimately be overseeing its care, and potentially taken over full time. With that in mind, you will want to consider if you will be able to tolerate the chosen pet. If you are anti-snake, and your son has refused to clean the cage, what will you do? Also, consider the pet's diet before allowing him to become part of your family. Snakes for instance, eat rodents. Will you be able to handle that? Will it be too intense for your child?
Finally, realize that the attention span of even the most patient child can be as short lived as the toy filled commercials they are bombarded with. Today's "hot" pet will be tomorrow's passé reject, so be prepared to step in and adopt the cast off. Until your child is older than ten, you might want to stick with fish, or birds, both of which require minimal human contact, are pretty and rarely creep out Mom.
Apartment dwellers are often drawn to the exotic pets because they are small and relatively easy to care for. Before starting to look at actual animals, make sure you know your child's temperament and level of commitment to the idea and then narrow down the search. Find the right category of animal first and then start looking. Your search should take you to a reputable pet shop where a knowledgeable salesperson should take the time to match your child to the right pet, and not just try to make a fast sale. Make sure that you know what kind of equipment your new pet will need to stay happy and healthy before even heading down to the pet shop; some pets will be far more expensive initially than others.
Understand that while the child is the one that is asking for this pet, you will ultimately be overseeing its care, and potentially taken over full time. With that in mind, you will want to consider if you will be able to tolerate the chosen pet. If you are anti-snake, and your son has refused to clean the cage, what will you do? Also, consider the pet's diet before allowing him to become part of your family. Snakes for instance, eat rodents. Will you be able to handle that? Will it be too intense for your child?
Finally, realize that the attention span of even the most patient child can be as short lived as the toy filled commercials they are bombarded with. Today's "hot" pet will be tomorrow's passé reject, so be prepared to step in and adopt the cast off. Until your child is older than ten, you might want to stick with fish, or birds, both of which require minimal human contact, are pretty and rarely creep out Mom.
Safe Pets For Children
It should go without saying that there is no such thing as a totally safe pet for children. The younger the child, the more vigilant you should be with their interactions with the family pet, no matter how sweet and trust worthy that pet has been. Of course you think that you have the best-behaved dog or cat in the entire world, but would you really be willing to bet your child's safety and health on it?
Make sure that your child knows how to approach all animals, whether they are their own pets or not right from the very start. Teach your child to respect their animal friends, and you will minimize trouble for everybody. Introduce the pet and the child as early as possible, but separate the two at the very first sign of anxiety for either party. Let your dog or cat sniff baby's foot, but do not allow them to make move toward the face or neck area. (It might actually be easier to allow the pets to sniff belongings that the baby has used before he even comes home.) Once baby is on the move, make sure that the pet has a room to escape to whenever he feels the need to do so. Some dogs will realize that your noisy, tail-pulling toddler is a nearly constant source of easy food, so he may put up with far more than you ever gave him credit for. Remember though, doggy might have allowed an hour of tail tugging fun yesterday afternoon, but tonight it is ten minutes tops, so watch closely.
Dogs will for the most part whine or growl a bit as a warning that you should get your "puppy" and get it now, cats are not so kind. Sticky fingered toddlers mushing cookies into his fur will get a nice healthy swat from puss, and not always with the sheathed claws. Some cats are nearly saint-like, but others have very low toddler/small child thresholds, so make sure that your cat can get away before he feels the need to draw kiddy blood.
Some pets are poor choices if you have children, even if the child would not be handling the pet. These include snakes, spiders and any other type of creepy crawly that could escape from their cage and bite, or worse, be bitten. Yes, children put everything, including spiders into their mouths, so keep that in mind. Large snakes have been known to view small children as prey sources, so use the utmost of caution if you absolutely must own them.
Make sure that your child knows how to approach all animals, whether they are their own pets or not right from the very start. Teach your child to respect their animal friends, and you will minimize trouble for everybody. Introduce the pet and the child as early as possible, but separate the two at the very first sign of anxiety for either party. Let your dog or cat sniff baby's foot, but do not allow them to make move toward the face or neck area. (It might actually be easier to allow the pets to sniff belongings that the baby has used before he even comes home.) Once baby is on the move, make sure that the pet has a room to escape to whenever he feels the need to do so. Some dogs will realize that your noisy, tail-pulling toddler is a nearly constant source of easy food, so he may put up with far more than you ever gave him credit for. Remember though, doggy might have allowed an hour of tail tugging fun yesterday afternoon, but tonight it is ten minutes tops, so watch closely.
Dogs will for the most part whine or growl a bit as a warning that you should get your "puppy" and get it now, cats are not so kind. Sticky fingered toddlers mushing cookies into his fur will get a nice healthy swat from puss, and not always with the sheathed claws. Some cats are nearly saint-like, but others have very low toddler/small child thresholds, so make sure that your cat can get away before he feels the need to draw kiddy blood.
Some pets are poor choices if you have children, even if the child would not be handling the pet. These include snakes, spiders and any other type of creepy crawly that could escape from their cage and bite, or worse, be bitten. Yes, children put everything, including spiders into their mouths, so keep that in mind. Large snakes have been known to view small children as prey sources, so use the utmost of caution if you absolutely must own them.
Choosing A Pet For Your Child
Every Christmas, every birthday, even every St. Patrick's Day, your child has asked for a pet, and every year you say no, but recently you are beginning to relent. You think little Timmy might actually be ready for the responsibility of pet ownership, but what is the best pet for him and how do you actually help your child make this important choice?
First of all, do not let your child hold all of the cards in the decision process. Ask Timmy what kind of pet he would like to have and the answer might range from a ducky to a dinosaur, so start off by setting some limits. If you are an apartment dweller, you are already limited with your pet choices. No Great Danes in the penthouse!
Next, consider the level of commitment that your child has shown to projects in the past. Has he started off gung-ho, only to start slacking off with sports, hobbies and other interests? Think about your child's closet floor, does it look like the island of lost dreams? Are there the skates he wore once, fell in, and then cast off? Or does he have the staying power to see things through to the end? The more dedication that your child has, the more pet choices you can look at. The interest of the child should be at least long enough to get the new pet into middle age.
Of course, you should also consider the "ick" factor. Is your child squeamish and germophobic? Would this child snap if there were little gerbil goodies left on the palm of his hand? Or worse, would the child be nearly hysterical at the thought of feeding the pet he mistakenly chose? The fussier the child, the cleaner the pet has to be, and the less hands on. For the really finicky child, you might want to consider some nice tropical fish.
And finally, consider the temperament and the activity level of the child. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, and some people are finding that a dog is a good way of getting their little couch tater-tots up and about- but don't count on a pooch working miracles on a truly unmotivated kid. Laid back kids do well with laid back animals, while the more energetic kids can run the energy out of the more active labs and Jack Russell terriers. And, the opposites attract concept might be beneficial here as well. A gentle pug might help calm a child that just cannot sit still, while a bouncy Boxer might actually break a shy child out of his shell. Give your child his options and then let him have a say in the decision. It is the family pet, but hopefully, this will be his friend.
First of all, do not let your child hold all of the cards in the decision process. Ask Timmy what kind of pet he would like to have and the answer might range from a ducky to a dinosaur, so start off by setting some limits. If you are an apartment dweller, you are already limited with your pet choices. No Great Danes in the penthouse!
Next, consider the level of commitment that your child has shown to projects in the past. Has he started off gung-ho, only to start slacking off with sports, hobbies and other interests? Think about your child's closet floor, does it look like the island of lost dreams? Are there the skates he wore once, fell in, and then cast off? Or does he have the staying power to see things through to the end? The more dedication that your child has, the more pet choices you can look at. The interest of the child should be at least long enough to get the new pet into middle age.
Of course, you should also consider the "ick" factor. Is your child squeamish and germophobic? Would this child snap if there were little gerbil goodies left on the palm of his hand? Or worse, would the child be nearly hysterical at the thought of feeding the pet he mistakenly chose? The fussier the child, the cleaner the pet has to be, and the less hands on. For the really finicky child, you might want to consider some nice tropical fish.
And finally, consider the temperament and the activity level of the child. Childhood obesity is at an all-time high, and some people are finding that a dog is a good way of getting their little couch tater-tots up and about- but don't count on a pooch working miracles on a truly unmotivated kid. Laid back kids do well with laid back animals, while the more energetic kids can run the energy out of the more active labs and Jack Russell terriers. And, the opposites attract concept might be beneficial here as well. A gentle pug might help calm a child that just cannot sit still, while a bouncy Boxer might actually break a shy child out of his shell. Give your child his options and then let him have a say in the decision. It is the family pet, but hopefully, this will be his friend.
Best Pets For Children
The jury is out on what constitutes the "best" pet for children. On one side of the fence are those who say that it is the independent cat; perfectly happy to allow themselves to be observed from a safe distance, and occasionally deigning to allow a small sticky hand to give them a pat. On the other side of the pet fence are the dog lovers, who claim that no childhood is truly complete without the lapping tongue of a four-legged pal. Of course, there are those people who suggest that the best pet is no pet at all, but let's ignore those people, shall we?
For apartment dwelling children, smaller pets are the best, and are, often times, the only choice. Fish are beautiful and relaxing to watch, but do not really give the whole pet experience. Small birds can be trained to sit on a gentle finger, but are susceptible to colds and drafts and are messy beyond belief, something you might consider if you are a true neatnik. The rodent family offers many different types of options, some better choices than others. Rats are smart, if you can get past the fact that they are, well, rats. They can also be surprisingly affectionate and are rather easy to care for. Not ready to swallow your loathing of rats? Guinea pigs are another option to consider- less rat-like, the sweet natured guinea pig can be a really great first pet for most children to start with. The only thing to remember about them is the need for daily vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
If space is not a consideration and the entire family is in agreement, then a dog is a good choice as well. Remember that there are many factors to consider when choosing a dog breed, but there are several that will fit in with virtually any family. These include the gentle pug, the intelligent beagle and the ever-popular Golden Retriever. Of course, all families are encouraged to check their local shelter for their new family member first.
And, in the interest of fairness, there is the cat. Often given a bad rap for being too aloof, the cat is a very good pet, especially for those families that are involved in lots of activities. Properly fed, a cat will not really pout and mope if he is left for long periods of time- he will content himself to curl up on your bed until you get home. No matter what pet the family chooses, make sure it is a safe, loving choice for everyone, including the child that will bond with it stronger than anyone else in the household.
For apartment dwelling children, smaller pets are the best, and are, often times, the only choice. Fish are beautiful and relaxing to watch, but do not really give the whole pet experience. Small birds can be trained to sit on a gentle finger, but are susceptible to colds and drafts and are messy beyond belief, something you might consider if you are a true neatnik. The rodent family offers many different types of options, some better choices than others. Rats are smart, if you can get past the fact that they are, well, rats. They can also be surprisingly affectionate and are rather easy to care for. Not ready to swallow your loathing of rats? Guinea pigs are another option to consider- less rat-like, the sweet natured guinea pig can be a really great first pet for most children to start with. The only thing to remember about them is the need for daily vitamin C to prevent scurvy.
If space is not a consideration and the entire family is in agreement, then a dog is a good choice as well. Remember that there are many factors to consider when choosing a dog breed, but there are several that will fit in with virtually any family. These include the gentle pug, the intelligent beagle and the ever-popular Golden Retriever. Of course, all families are encouraged to check their local shelter for their new family member first.
And, in the interest of fairness, there is the cat. Often given a bad rap for being too aloof, the cat is a very good pet, especially for those families that are involved in lots of activities. Properly fed, a cat will not really pout and mope if he is left for long periods of time- he will content himself to curl up on your bed until you get home. No matter what pet the family chooses, make sure it is a safe, loving choice for everyone, including the child that will bond with it stronger than anyone else in the household.
How To Adopt A Pet
Deciding to get a pet is a large step in a family's life. They have to decide what kind of pet that they want, what breed, and the general size. They might have already narrowed down their name choices for their new pet, picked out where its bed will be and bought some toys. Now all that is left to do is to get the actual pet. For far too many people, that next step will involve a trip to the local pet store for a purebred cat or dog, but our shelters are filled beyond capacity with pets that just need a little love and their chance to finally find a forever home.
Before you spend a large amount of money on a purebred puppy or kitten consider a few things. Are you planning on showing your new addition at shows? Is this a business decision that you are making? If the answer to both is no, then by all means reconsider spending that much money on buying your new friend. Go down to the shelter and walk through. Talk to the shelter staff, and let them know exactly what you would like to find. If the exact right animal is not there, and you truly do not connect with any of the available pets, leave your name with staff and have them call you if the right pet does become available.
Once you have made your selection, you will fill out an application and pay a small fee. In some shelters, there is an interview to make sure that the pet and the adoptive family is a good match. There might be an in house interview as well, to see the environment that the new pet will be coming too, and to make sure that there is adequate space for him. Some shelters now require an offsite interview with an area veterinarian who will fill out a letter of recommendation for the prospective adoptive family in order to assure the shelter staff that post adoption care will be maintained on a regular schedule.
After you have filled out the paperwork, answered all of the questions and been interviewed by those in charge, you will get to the most fulfilling part of adopting- the moment they put that leash or carrying cage in your arms and you bring your brand new family member home for good.
Before you spend a large amount of money on a purebred puppy or kitten consider a few things. Are you planning on showing your new addition at shows? Is this a business decision that you are making? If the answer to both is no, then by all means reconsider spending that much money on buying your new friend. Go down to the shelter and walk through. Talk to the shelter staff, and let them know exactly what you would like to find. If the exact right animal is not there, and you truly do not connect with any of the available pets, leave your name with staff and have them call you if the right pet does become available.
Once you have made your selection, you will fill out an application and pay a small fee. In some shelters, there is an interview to make sure that the pet and the adoptive family is a good match. There might be an in house interview as well, to see the environment that the new pet will be coming too, and to make sure that there is adequate space for him. Some shelters now require an offsite interview with an area veterinarian who will fill out a letter of recommendation for the prospective adoptive family in order to assure the shelter staff that post adoption care will be maintained on a regular schedule.
After you have filled out the paperwork, answered all of the questions and been interviewed by those in charge, you will get to the most fulfilling part of adopting- the moment they put that leash or carrying cage in your arms and you bring your brand new family member home for good.
Pet Adoption Safety
Adopting a pet should be one of the happiest moments in a family's life, but there are sometimes unforeseen events that can bring tears, disappointment and even heartbreak. Knowing a few key safety tips can lessen any problems or danger and make finding your new best friend fun, exciting and unendingly rewarding.
1. Adopting a pet should not be a spur of the moment decision. A pet is not just an accessory that you pick up because you considered him a "bargain" or because he just struck your heart chords just the right way. This is a commitment to a living being, one that will need love, food and shelter for many years to come. Make sure you and your entire family is fully committed to that concept before bringing a pet home.
2. Shelter pets are not always lost doggies that cannot find their way home. Sometimes pets have severe behavioral or emotional problems that their owners cannot handle. While not every pet at the shelter is a reject, there are bound to be a few, so make sure that you ask questions.
3. Sometimes shelter staff can miss serious health or behavior problems. Before you bring your adopted pet home, make sure that he gets a thorough vet exam, including all immunizations. This is especially important if there are small children or other pets in your home.
4. Do not just bring an adopted pet into your home and give him free reign of the place. Allow your new pet to explore from room to room, while on a leash. Consider crate training while you are not directly at hand, and only allow interaction between the new pet and children and other pets while you are there. Eventually, your adopted pet will settle in and blend into the family, but it will take some time and patience.
5. Do not hesitate to bring any pet that develops signs of aggression back to the shelter. Saving an animal's life is not worth risking your family's safety for. And, if that does become the case, make sure that shelter staff is aware of the exact problem. Perhaps the dog does not like children, but is fine with adults. Maybe the new pet was snappy with other animals, or one gender. Allow staff to know so that they can help match the pet with the right family on his next try.
1. Adopting a pet should not be a spur of the moment decision. A pet is not just an accessory that you pick up because you considered him a "bargain" or because he just struck your heart chords just the right way. This is a commitment to a living being, one that will need love, food and shelter for many years to come. Make sure you and your entire family is fully committed to that concept before bringing a pet home.
2. Shelter pets are not always lost doggies that cannot find their way home. Sometimes pets have severe behavioral or emotional problems that their owners cannot handle. While not every pet at the shelter is a reject, there are bound to be a few, so make sure that you ask questions.
3. Sometimes shelter staff can miss serious health or behavior problems. Before you bring your adopted pet home, make sure that he gets a thorough vet exam, including all immunizations. This is especially important if there are small children or other pets in your home.
4. Do not just bring an adopted pet into your home and give him free reign of the place. Allow your new pet to explore from room to room, while on a leash. Consider crate training while you are not directly at hand, and only allow interaction between the new pet and children and other pets while you are there. Eventually, your adopted pet will settle in and blend into the family, but it will take some time and patience.
5. Do not hesitate to bring any pet that develops signs of aggression back to the shelter. Saving an animal's life is not worth risking your family's safety for. And, if that does become the case, make sure that shelter staff is aware of the exact problem. Perhaps the dog does not like children, but is fine with adults. Maybe the new pet was snappy with other animals, or one gender. Allow staff to know so that they can help match the pet with the right family on his next try.
The Rules Of Pet Adoption
Before the visit:
1. Make sure that everyone is in agreement about the kind of pet that you are looking for. This should include the breed, size and sex of the pet. Discuss this thoroughly with your children and make sure that they understand that any sign of dissent will equal an end to the trip immediately.
2. Make sure that everyone in the family is aware of proper animal safety rules. Do they know how to approach an animal correctly? Is there any chance at all that anyone will be frightened? A frightened child might equal a frightened pet-which could mean trouble.
3. Finally, make sure that everyone knows what to expect- that there will be a lot of animals, and that while it is sad that they are there, you can only take one. Also, find out the shelter's policies on the actual adoption- will you fill out forms and wait for approval, or will you be able to take your pet home that night?
While at the shelter:
1. Remind children of the rules and make sure that they are within arm's reach of you at all times.
2. Walk through and do a quick scan, narrowing the family's selections down to a few and then returning for a closer inspection.
3. Ask questions of the shelter staff, including known health history, behavior, and any other key facts that they might have.
4. Visit with the selected pet if that is allowed, watching the interaction between him and the family members.
After the visit:
1. Come home to allow everyone to discuss his or her feelings about the pet in question. Did they like him, or did they think that there might be a better pet out there somewhere?
2. Call the shelter staff and update them on your family's decision. If you have decided to adopt, fill out necessary forms if you have not already, and pay any fees. If you have decided against adoption, then tell the shelter staff any reasons that you might have- so that they can keep your input in mind when showing the pet to the next family.
Adopting a pet should be rewarding, and it will be as long as everyone knows what to expect from the very start.
What To Know Before Adopting A Pet
Before getting a pet, no matter where you get it from, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, and foremost, make sure that your entire family is ready, willing and able to care for a pet. Make sure that there is total agreement about the type of pet that you will be seeking. And, make sure that everyone knows what type of pet is absolutely not allowable for any reason!
If you are a first time pet owner, make sure that you understand what that means, exactly. Do you know the basic needs of the pet that you have in mind? Do you know the approximate expense involved? Adopting a pet means adopting an entire lifestyle as well, so do some research on the various breeds of pets to make the best choice for you and your family. If there is any possibility of allergies with your family members, then by all means visit shelters and pet shops and watch for reactions before making the leap. Also, consider taking your children to areas where they might interact with different animals and watch how they behave. Some children are just not big animal lovers, and they should never be forced to pet or talk to one, especially if they are afraid. A fearful child may make a dog or cat apprehensive enough to bite.Where you live will determine the size or type of the pet that you should look at adopting. If you are an apartment dweller, your lease may not allow any pets at all, or may restrict you to certain small, caged pets. Small homes and small yards will rule out larger breed dogs who need lots of room to roam and stretch out their big legs. Some toy breed dogs are not appropriate with younger children- they tend to be hyper, delicate and will nip at the drop of a hat. Make sure that you ask lots of questions during the adoption process- if you do not know what to expect of a certain breed, make sure to do the research, ask the questions or look for another pet option.
Again, before even going to the shelter to adopt a pet, know what you would like to find, and what you do not want to bring home. Make sure that everyone knows from the start of the process what your intentions are- including the shelter staff. Do not let an overzealous worker talk you into a pet that is not really right for you or your family. This is a serious commitment, and not one that should be taken lightly.
Why Adopt A Pet?
There are many reasons for people to get pets. Some get a companion so that they do not feel lonely. Some get a jogging partner or walking mate to help them lose weight. Some find themselves getting a pet for a sense of security. No matter why they choose to get a pet, people should be encouraged to begin their search at the local shelter. Adopting a pet is not only less expensive than buying from the pet stores, it can be a socially and emotionally rewarding way to find your next best friend.
Shelters all over the country are filled beyond capacity with a frightening number of pets being euthanized each day. While it is true that each purebred breed has its own fan club, there is an awful lot to be said for the pound puppies as well. Do not let a less than pedigreed pooch put you off, there is no certification for true love.
The best adoption shelters in the country will put each pet and potential pet owner through rigorous examinations before allowing you to bring your choice home, a fact that may put a shelter dog ahead of others in safety. Do you really know what the aggression factor is with that purebred? I bet they can tell you the answer to that question at the shelter. They not only check for health risks, but social skills as well. Pets that show any sign of fear, aggression or other potential problems will be labeled as un-adoptable and kept in the shelter. Others will find themselves looking for and hopefully finding their new forever home.
In the end, it if it does not matter where you find your best friend, why not start at the shelter? Find the nearest shelter and start your search there. Not finding the right breed or the right size dog? Leave your name and number with staff, along with a brief description of what you would like to find and they will probably come through fairly quickly. Don't get hung up on designer dogs and expensive pet stores. Do not buy a puppy from a breeder that you are not familiar with, because who will you complain to if there is a problem? And never buy a pet from a suspected puppy mill or any company that might deal with the mills and unscrupulous breeders. Adopting a pet from a shelter will save its life, and hopefully, the shelter pet will steal your heart in the process!
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