PETS FOR CHILDREN: WHICH ARE THE MOST SUITABLE? - PARENTHOOD

Dogs, cats or goldfish: which pets are best for children?

Babies see a dog or cat as a trusted friend, playmate, or even a brother or sister if they are an only child. It is therefore not uncommon that when they are around 5-8 years old they manifest the desire to have one. How to make the right choice? Today we will help you, with some clarification on the most common species. If you are going to opt for a dog, watch this video and start learning its language!

Choosing a pet

When it comes to evaluating whether to welcome an animal into the house, the choice must be made with a certain criterion, especially when there are children. Both for the good of the furry friend and for that of the whole family. It is in fact essential to take into consideration some things: the size of the puppy and its future growth, in order to give him the necessary space he will need to be cheerful and in strengths and character / temperament, which in the presence of small men it is always better to be tolerant, in order not to run into unpleasant inconveniences.

Many families underestimate the commitment that means having a pet: in the case of a goldfish it will certainly be reduced, but if you are considering getting a dog or a cat, the question is quite different. When is your child to ask you for a gift this wonderful friend, it is better to know what you are getting into: puppies are not toys! They will need a lot of love and adequate care. Once you have clarified this point you can dedicate yourself to choosing the new family member, knowing that wonderful adventure.

The benefits of having an animal at home in fact far outweigh the hardships: especially when it comes to dogs or cats, these turn out to be excellent life companions that give new life to the whole family. They are also ideal for teaching children. respect and care for others, not to mention their therapeutic effect in the case of people with difficulties (pet therapy).

Is the family ready for an animal? The questions to ask.

There is no doubt that the bond between a child and his pet is unique, and that his memory will remain with him throughout his life. The desire to have one can arise from an early age, around the age of 5, if not before, and it's extremely common. Don't worry too much if your little one gets insistent on asking you for permission - it's completely normal!
If you have the chance and the desire, please it: it will prove to be a precious gift for you and your partner too.
However, before proceeding with the adoption or purchase of the animal, think about these aspects:

How much time could you devote to it?
Are you often away from home?
Can you take it with you on vacation?
Does the animal your child has in mind fit into your lifestyle?
How much space do you have? (garden / terrace)

Answer with sincerity, only in this way will you find the pet that fits most into your family. On balance it is not so much to identify the best animal for children, because good or bad with a little common sense, they all are. But how much to highlight the characteristics of your life and the free time available.

To understand if the time has come for your child to really take the responsibility of taking care of an animal, you need to consider other aspects. First of all his development, motor and mental, because this will inevitably influence his relationship with the animal. And then his personal maturity: each child has a different growth path and it is possible that already at the end of the maternal care of a small animal Obviously in the early days you will have to be his guide and show him how to approach the new entry of the family, especially for those livelier animals such as dogs or cats.

Animals and children, tasks by age

Despite the character peculiarities of your children, there are some common traits that are found in certain stages of development, and that can guide you on the choice of the pet to buy / adopt:

3-6 years: at this age, children are still too young to be able to take on the responsibility of a pet. This does not preclude them from having contact with them if under adult supervision. For peace of mind, it is best not to leave a child of this age alone with animals such as cats and dogs, however calm they may be. You never know when the animal gets annoyed, perhaps because of a vigorous caress or an excessive yelling in the ears;
7-9 years: children are able to take care of a pet. It is precisely in this stage of development that the first skills aimed at caring for others arise, such as knowing how to portion meals, recognize the moment of rest, reading and knowing how to tell the time;
10 years and up: in pre-adolescence, you are old enough to be self-employed in many household duties. If they are responsible kids, you can give them some confidence and let them take short walks independently with the dog.

In summary, therefore, the smaller a child is, the more you will have to intervene in the care of the animal. Once they have grown up, they will ask you for more responsibility.
Now we come to the crux of the topic: what is the most suitable species of pet for children?
There is not one species more suitable than another, but some are more interesting for the little ones of the house and thanks to their peculiar characteristics they can even turn out to be good friends that help the child to grow and mature.

Dogs and cats, the first choices for children

When you think of a pet, one of the first images that comes to mind is that of a cat or a dog. This is because they are not simple "animals", but being very interactive creatures they can be excellent playmates for a child.

The dog is therefore the ideal first pet for children: it is a great playful, very sociable and gives incredible affection to its owner.
Dogs are very good for the mood, even for children. However, taking care of a puppy requires a certain investment of time and money: food, visits to the vet, any holiday pensions ... all aspects to consider. . On the balance sheet, however, the unconditional love of a dog always wins! We recommend that you adopt or buy a puppy if: in your family you have a child of about 10 years and if there are at least 2-3 hours a day to devote to him. between walks and pampering.
The races? The most docile ones are the cavalier king, the pug and the poodle; also suitable for slightly younger children. Labradors or golden retrievers, on the other hand, are the typical family dogs with older children.

The cat is the second pet required by the little ones of the house: of a more independent nature, it remains a companion animal because it is very affectionate and tender. An excellent choice therefore for those with children at home, and for working parents. Cats can also stay at home alone and if they are in an apartment you can get them used to staying in their territory. Pay attention only to their temper: a little less naive than that of the dog; usually a little more sensitivity is required in understanding his needs.
Choose the cat as a pet for children if: you have children aged 6 and up and if the time for him is a bit limited. The most recommended breeds are the Burmese, the Persian ragdoll and the Maine coon.

Rabbits and rodents are the most sensitive

These pets are certainly less demanding than the previous ones and require less attention from the owners. So from a practical point of view they are certainly more suitable, but taking care of them could give little satisfaction to children.

Hamsters and rabbits are very sensitive creatures, small and soft, and are easily frightened. They need time to get comfortable, and if a child continues to try to insist on them, a relationship of trust may not develop. Physical contact is not the strong point of rabbits, so we do not recommend it as a species of animal for a small child. If your child expresses a desire to have a guinea pig or other rodent in the house, explain to him that he will not be a great playmate and that to gain his trust you will need to relate in a respectful and patient way.
Also consider that they perform a little less the function of "life partner": the average expectation of a hamster is, for example, from 2 to 4 years.

Birds, fish and turtles, which are the easiest to keep

They are species of animals more from admire that to be looked after and require little effort. These are less pets and less prone to physical contact.

For the fish you have to pay attention to the pH of the water and to keep their habitat clean, as well as to give them the right amount of food; but then nothing more. As much fun as it is to feed the goldfish, children need a extra push to really take care of it.

The birds should be left free to fly, but being mostly closed in cages, it is difficult to create moments of sharing or playing with the children, who over time may lose their interest in the animal. Better to see them flutter around on farms or in Having said that, if your choice is for the colorful colors of the birds, know that all the tasks to take care of them can be easily done by children and for this reason they remain suitable species when there is a little one in the house.

Finally, the turtles: compared to the other two in this paragraph, they are perhaps the most interactive creatures and therefore can give a little satisfaction to the child while taking care of them.