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Adding a Pet to the
Family
by Sheila Somerlock Ruth, My Cinnamon Toast.com
My house is a zoo - and I mean that
literally! We have so many animals that I've considered charging
admission. At last count, we have two cats, numerous fish, snails,
two frogs (which we raised from tadpoles), and three monarch
caterpillars. We've also had numerous temporary residents, including
spiders and cicadas. Most kids are fascinated with animals.
Combine that with a seemingly inborn instinct for nurturing,
and it's only natural that eventually most kids want to have
a pet of their own. But what do you do when your child asks,
"Mommy, can I have a puppy?" There are a lot of factors to consider.
Are you ready?
Before you ask whether your child is ready, you should start
by asking yourself whether you are ready for a pet. Even if
your child is old enough to care for the pet himself, the pet
will undoubtedly make changes in your life. It may wake you
up in the morning, go to the bathroom on your carpets, chew
your furniture, or bark at every noise outside. I'm not trying
to discourage you from getting a pet; the advantages are also
numerous. Pets can teach kids responsibility and empathy, and
provide love and companionship. I've had pets all my life and
have found the relationships very rewarding. But I am suggesting
that, before making the decision to get a pet, you need to think
about what it really means to adopt a pet into your household.
A pet can disrupt your life almost as much as a new baby! (Remember
sleepless nights, changing diapers...) Our newest cat is, quite
frankly, a pest. He wakes us up early in the morning, knocks
things off of even the highest shelf, and tears up anything
with feathers including preschool artwork. But we love him dearly
and he is a part of the family.
Is your child ready?
The answer to this question depends on what you mean by "ready."
Any child who is old enough to understand not to pull tails
or ears or squeeze too hard may be ready to have a pet. However,
while even preschoolers can help with pet care tasks, like scooping
dry food and filling water bowls, kids generally aren't ready
to take primary responsibility for a pet until they are teens
or possibly pre-teens. Even teens should be monitored by parents
to make sure that they do what is necessary; animals shouldn't
be made to suffer just to teach a lesson in responsibility.
Finances
Pets are expensive! In addition to the cost of the animal
itself, you may need to purchase bedding, cages, food, feeding
dishes, or toys. Food alone can be expensive, especially for
a large dog or cat. Veterinary care can also be expensive, especially
for cats and dogs, which need to have regular checkups, vaccinations,
and heartworm treatments if you live in an area with heartworms.
And as the pet ages and needs more care, the cost of veterinary
care goes up. Smaller pets are less expensive, but they still
have recurring costs, like food. Before buying a pet, you'll
have to analyze your budget and decide if you can afford it.
Lifestyle
Another thing to consider is your lifestyle. Is anyone home
during the day? Do you travel a lot? Do you like to sleep late?
These are questions that must factor into the decision to buy
a pet, and which pet to buy. If you like to sleep late, then
you don't want to get a pet which will wake you up early needing
food or a walk. If everyone is gone during the day, then you
probably don't want to buy a pet like a dog, which requires
a lot of attention.
If you travel a lot, you'll need to consider what you will
do with the pets when you travel. Dogs and cats can be left
in a kennel, but animals like amphibians and reptiles require
specialized care and you may have difficulty finding someone
to care for them. Another alternative is to bring your pet with
you; there are a some hotels that will accept pets. Some animals
travel better than others; dogs generally are happy as long
as they are with their owners, but cats are very territorial
and can be unhappy in a strange territory.
We took our caterpillars with us when we traveled on a recent
trip to New York. We must have been quite a sight as we checked
into the hotel carrying jars with caterpillars and eggs, and
vases of milkweed plants. Caterpillars travel well; as long
as they have plenty of fresh milkweed, they are happy. On the
other hand, my mother, who kindly took care of the rest of the
menagerie while we were gone, had her hands full.
Allergies
Thankfully, my son doesn't seem to have an allergy to cats.
But on a recent sleepover visit, my niece woke up in the middle
of the night with red, swollen, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and
wheezing. Allergies are no fun; kids with allergies can be pretty
miserable. And allergies can lead to more serious conditions,
like asthma. So you need to make sure that your kids are not
allergic before you get a pet. One thing that you can do is
to let your child spend time visiting someone with the type
of pet you plan to get. Even this is not foolproof, however.
Different breeds may produce different reactions. One article
I read even suggests that cats with dark color fur may produce
more allergic reaction than cats with light color fur! If you
want to be sure, an allergist can perform a skin test to find
out. Allergies can take up to two years to develop, so even
if your child is not allergic, there is always the possibility
that allergies can develop later.
If your children are allergic to dogs or cats, perhaps a small
animal will work out better. Hamsters, hermit crabs, or frogs
may produce less of an allergic reaction. But before you purchase
any pet, a consultation with an allergist may be helpful.
Commitment
Caterpillars aren't too bad, as pets go. They are quiet and
don't require too much attention. Their food is free, and as
long as you keep them supplied with plenty of fresh Milkweed
leaves, and mist them occasionally with a plant mister, they
are content to munch along on their leaves and mind their own
business. And they don't require a long commitment; it takes
about a month to go from egg to butterfly, and then you release
them.
Dogs and cats, however, do require a long term commitment;
almost as much as a child. Dogs can live 10-14 years, and cats
can live 9-13 years or longer. If you adopt one of these animals,
and then find out that it isn't working out, you may have difficulty
finding a good home for it, especially if it is full grown.
Many animals are euthanized because their owners don't want
them anymore and drop them off at the animal shelter. So before
adopting an animal, especially a long-lived one, make sure that
you are ready to make the commitment! One good way to find out
what it is really like having an animal in your home is to offer
to take care of a friend's pet while they are away on a trip.
You will get a good idea of the level of care required, and
find out first hand how your children do with an animal in the
house.
Think carefully about your decision, and make sure that you
and your children are ready. If you decide not to adopt a pet,
sit down with your children and explain your reasons. Perhaps
you can find alternatives, such as a membership to a children's
zoo or regular visits with a friend's pet. If you do decide
to adopt a pet into your family, then I hope that you will enjoy
the relationship as much as I have. Having a pet can be one
of the most rewarding experiences, and your pet will soon become
a special part of the family.
Related Books:
The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Choosing a Pet by Betsy Sikora
Siino, Audrey Pavia
ASPCA
Pet Care Guides for Kids: Kitten by Mark Evans
ASPCA
Pet Care Guides for Kids: Puppy by Mark Evans
ASPCA
Pet Care Guides for Kids: Hamster by Mark Evans
Sheila Somerlock Ruth
is the founder of MyCinnamonToast.com,
a web site devoted to strengthening family connections through
good parenting and genealogy.
Copyright 2002
by Sheila Somerlock Ruth.
Reproduction without permission prohibited.
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