It’s great to let a child have a pet. Most children start clamouring for a pet of their own at any time from the age of about three years. Pets make great companions for children, and teach children the value of caring for someone or something other than themselves. They can help a child to learn responsibility and that a pet is not something there to be played with and discarded as the mood takes them – they need to meet that pet’s needs every day, too.
When the time comes, pets will also teach children about death. However sad it is when a pet dies, the child will learn about the grieving process and have opportunity to talk with their parents about what life and death is all about. It makes it much easier for them to deal with the death of a human friend or relative because it will, by then, be a familiar concept.
But when is the best age to introduce a pet to a child? You might already have pets in the house from before the child’s conception, in which case the child will learn from a very early age how to treat that pet. If you have a cat, for example, your child will quickly learn not to chase it, pull its tail or stroke it the ‘wrong’ way. As a responsible pet owner you’ll need to make sure that your child’s access and play with existing pets is carefully supervised (especially if you own a dog).
But if you want a pet for your child, that they can call ‘theirs’, when is the best age to take that step and what sort of pet would be a good choice?
If your child is still a toddler, they will be too young to appreciate having a pet of their own and should not be expected to care for any pet. If you have existing pets or get a new pet when your child is this young, make sure you take care to avoid them coming into contact with things like your pet’s food or litter trays.
By the time your child reaches about three years of age, they are ready to start learning how to handle pets with care and to engage in some pet care. Guinea pigs and hamsters make ideal pets for this age range (children from three to five years will appreciate them the most), and your child can help with the care of their pet by filling their food bowls and changing their water bottles. Guinea pigs enjoy having company and being held on laps and they respond to treatment they like by making little squeaking noises, which reinforce your child’s careful and loving behaviour. Hamsters are more fun to watch as they move around more and enjoy active play in their cages.
When your child is between five and ten years of age, depending on the maturity of the child you may be able to entrust more of the pet care to them. For example, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs or fish would make good pets and your child could help to clean out their cages as well as top up food and water. Any pet care would need to be under adult supervision, and you should also double check to make sure the pet has enough food and water and that the cage is locked rather than rely on your child to tell you.
From age ten, children will have more interest in their pets and be able to take greater responsibility for them. Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters all make great pets; your child can be asked to clean out the cage, walk the dog, brush the cat and feed and give clean water to all of these pets. However, at this age a child is still a child and you as an adult should take ultimate responsibility for the pet’s wellbeing and double check that they have enough food and water etc.
When the time comes, pets will also teach children about death. However sad it is when a pet dies, the child will learn about the grieving process and have opportunity to talk with their parents about what life and death is all about. It makes it much easier for them to deal with the death of a human friend or relative because it will, by then, be a familiar concept.
But when is the best age to introduce a pet to a child? You might already have pets in the house from before the child’s conception, in which case the child will learn from a very early age how to treat that pet. If you have a cat, for example, your child will quickly learn not to chase it, pull its tail or stroke it the ‘wrong’ way. As a responsible pet owner you’ll need to make sure that your child’s access and play with existing pets is carefully supervised (especially if you own a dog).
But if you want a pet for your child, that they can call ‘theirs’, when is the best age to take that step and what sort of pet would be a good choice?
If your child is still a toddler, they will be too young to appreciate having a pet of their own and should not be expected to care for any pet. If you have existing pets or get a new pet when your child is this young, make sure you take care to avoid them coming into contact with things like your pet’s food or litter trays.
By the time your child reaches about three years of age, they are ready to start learning how to handle pets with care and to engage in some pet care. Guinea pigs and hamsters make ideal pets for this age range (children from three to five years will appreciate them the most), and your child can help with the care of their pet by filling their food bowls and changing their water bottles. Guinea pigs enjoy having company and being held on laps and they respond to treatment they like by making little squeaking noises, which reinforce your child’s careful and loving behaviour. Hamsters are more fun to watch as they move around more and enjoy active play in their cages.
When your child is between five and ten years of age, depending on the maturity of the child you may be able to entrust more of the pet care to them. For example, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs or fish would make good pets and your child could help to clean out their cages as well as top up food and water. Any pet care would need to be under adult supervision, and you should also double check to make sure the pet has enough food and water and that the cage is locked rather than rely on your child to tell you.
From age ten, children will have more interest in their pets and be able to take greater responsibility for them. Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters all make great pets; your child can be asked to clean out the cage, walk the dog, brush the cat and feed and give clean water to all of these pets. However, at this age a child is still a child and you as an adult should take ultimate responsibility for the pet’s wellbeing and double check that they have enough food and water etc.
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