When are they old enough?

Question

your child really wants a pet - at what age should they have one?
would you get one knowing that the responsibities of caring for it will be on you after the glamour wears off?

Answer 1

That's something a lot of parents go through. Usually it is the parent who ends up cleaning after and caring for the pet most often. As long as you expect that you will be the primary care keeper of whatever pet you choose then it is OK. You should still talk to your child about all the responsibilities involved and kinda compare it to how many things go into you keeping care of him/or her (your child). I think it is a good idea for children to have a pet and learn the responsibilities involved. Kittens are probably the easiest to start out with as you don't have to house train them, etc. You just show them the litter box the first few times and they usually get it. I think the age of 5 would be the youngest that I would get a pet for my kid.

Answer 2

You as the parent will be responsible for a pet. Yeah kids may help when they want or you ask but after a few weeks the new pet will just be part of the family and the children will only want to give it attention on occasion.
We have dogs and love them. My children will feed and water them once in a while. But I know when they are sick or something else my husband and I are to do the dirty work. Make sure you want the pet more than they do.

Answer 3

If what you want is the child to take responsability for the pet, which is totally understandable, then I would say at the age of 8. When a child turns 8, they have the capabilities of looking after something or someone (within their limits), clean up and put things back in order.
Make sure you talk to the child and tell him/her what responsabilities he/she will have with a pet.

Answer 4

I would say it depends on the child and the pet. We've always had pets (came before the kids, actually!!). Give your child age-appropriate tasks to do.

If it's a cat, then show him/her how to fill the water bowl. Or if the child is older, how much food to give the animal.

Don't start with a big dog or anything overwhelming. Maybe start with a hamster or something small and be sure to learn how to care for it yourself first. The pet you decide on should be one you yourself can live with. Animals aren't throwaways, remember that! They are a responsiblity not to be tossed aside.

Answer 5

I grew up with pets, but as I got older, I slowly began helping. When I was old enough, I would walk the dog with my mom - although it was her holding the leash and me walking beside her trying hard not to pick all the pretty "flowers" (dandelions) that I saw on the street...
but I think a question like this is one you must answer yourself. It depends on how much time and effort you are willing to put in for a pet. Perhaps start with something small, such as a fish or a hamster? That way it teaches your child(ren) responsibility.

Answer 6

My parents allowed us to have cats when we were around 6 years old. Those were the pets they felt were fair, seeing as how we weren't going to be the ones really taking that much care of them. It allowed us to be responsible (feeding them, nurturing them) and personally, made me a gentler person. I now have a dog, which I love, but requires a lot of attention (it's like having a child). So, again, for children, I think cats are the way to go.

Answer 7

To know when to grant your child's request for a pet or when to give them one, entirely depends on the readiness of the child to take responsibility on caring for the pet. Altogether, caring for a pet is family responsibility although you can demand or insist on your child that the responsibility is really his / hers especially if he / she is the one who requested for the pet.

My child is 6 years old and she kept on telling us that she wanted to have a dog of her own. But having a dog at this time, is not just impossible. My child may not know what she's getting herself into especially if she has wish granted. And to be responsible for it takes time and a lot of initiative and of course, one has to learn to be responsible along the way.

For a start, she's getting a goldfish- and she likes the idea of 'caring' for the goldfish by feeding it. Well, not much of a responsiblity really but the cleaning of the aquarium falls on me! But anyways, I believe that to let your child have a pet is certainly a family discussion and a family decision. Your child's readiness counts a lot and especially that for him to learn to be responsible for his pet, takes an actual hands-on learning experience.

So, I believe that you already have an idea on how old a child can get a pet. Well, it entirely depends and of course, once you have a pet, that pet is not solely your child's but has become a member of the family as well and that each one around the house somehow takes accountability for the pet at one time or the other.

Answer 8

My daughter helps me with our new pets and she's only 5. She also cares for the fish and does a wonderful job...i guess it depends on the maturity level of the child...

Answer 9

i wouldnt let my child get a pet until i knew for sure that they would be totally responsible for it, if i felt that i would be the one taking care of it they would not get it. i think it really depends on the maturity level rather than the age, some kids mature faster than others.

Answer 10

Well I'll put it to you this way... my daughter is 21 and away at school. I do love her cat so much. Did I mention the cat lives with me? Oh and my 12 year old has a cat...did I mention that the damn thing follows my husband around all the time and NOT my son? lol...If its in your house its your pet!