How to get a pet (for kids)

Owning a pet can be a rewarding experience for a child. A well-chosen pet can bring years of joy.

Pet ownership can also be a chance for kids to learn valuable life lessons as they care for a living creature. Pets can teach children about responsibility and dependability with adult guidance. As an added bonus, some pets give affection in return for a child’s loving attention.

A fish may be the perfect “starter” pet for a child, but not just any fish will do. Goldfish may seem like the most obvious choice, but they’re actually more difficult to raise than the Siamese fighting fish (Betta fish).

These Southeast Asian natives are adapted to survive in isolation, in surprisingly small amounts of stagnant water. You may not even need aerators, filters, heaters, or chemicals.

However, betta fish thrive best in small aquariums with at least two gallons of water, regularly changed and kept between 76 and 82°F (24 and 28°C). Be sure to buy your fish from a store that has someone who can advise you on how best to care for them.

The appeal of cold-blooded creatures may be less obvious than that of warm, fuzzy animals, but certain reptiles make prized pets.

Tortoises, such as the plant-eating Russian tortoise, can live more than 50 years. Some snake species also make excellent pets, although constrictors should be avoided.

Added bonus: Reptiles are nonallergenic. However, keep in mind that the American Academy of Pediatrics warns against reptiles as pets for young children because they can easily transmit salmonella. Make sure to research specific care requirements for any new reptile pet.

Some of the best pets for kids and tips to make your new animal friend part of the family.

Some of your fondest childhood memories probably come from playing with the family dog. Pets provide love, lower stress and teach children about responsibility and empathy. But what are some of the best pets for kids?

With any age group, there are guidelines for providing your child and pet with positive interactions. Safety is first. “Young children may make decisions they feel are safe, like dressing the cat or playing doctor with the dog, but they can accidentally injure themselves or the pet,” says Sherry Woodard, an animal behavior consultant for Best Friends Animal Society.

“Parents should always supervise interactions with pets.” She assures that parents can make pet ownership successful. “Children at all ages must be taught what’s safe and what’s appropriate. I recommend fostering a pet for your local rescue group or shelter before formally adopting. Try a pet and see if it’s a good fit.”

If you decide to bring a new pet into the family, start slowly. “Quiet interactions in a large space are a great way to start off. Parents should referee the interaction and keep the first introduction as short as 15 minutes,” says Pamela Barlow, senior behavior counselor at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Adoption Center.

“Giving that pet an opportunity to settle in and having regular breaks in future interactions, as well as a ‘kid-free’ space when they feel overwhelmed, will also help.” She recommends teaching your children proper pet behavior. “Encourage your kids to speak in soft tones, pet one at a time and play with the pet using non-contact games like fetch for a dog or a wand toy for a cat.”

Are you wondering what would make the best pets for your family, depending on your kid’s age? Here’s a breakdown:

Infants (Ages 0-1):
During the first year of your child’s life, the ASPCA recommends putting the focus on introducing the baby to the pets already in your home instead of gaining a new pet. Animals need time to adjust, according to The Humane Society of the United States. If you had a cat or dog before the baby joined the family, gradually introduce, familiarize and supervise interactions. You may need to train your dog to behave appropriately around the baby.

Toddler (Ages 1-2):
Toddlers still have a lot to learn about acceptable pet interactions. If you want to add a pet to your family, start small with a shelf pet like a fish or hermit crab that’s safely contained and cared for inside a protective enclosure. They pose little threat to hurt the child. Both your child and these pets are little creatures that need only limited independence. Encourage your child to embrace curiosity in appropriate ways with your existing pets by answering questions and supervising physical interaction.

Preschool (Ages 3-4):
This is a great opportunity for your child to welcome a new pet into the home. The ASPCA recommends guinea pigs for your preschooler, as they’re affectionate, like your young child, and not likely to evoke harm. Your child can also take on basic pet care responsibilities such as feeding the guinea pig and refilling the water bottle. “Parents should expect to be the primary care giver for any pets that are brought into the home,” says Barlow.

Grade School (Ages 5+):
As children and attention spans grow, a variety of pets may be introduced. Start with shelf pets or fish, add other responsibilities, like cleaning up the pet’s habitat, and allow for longer interactions. The Humane Society recommends introducing gerbils or hamsters to children aged eight or older. Dogs should not be introduced until children are at least five, according to The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, if not older, says the ASPCA. Kids should be ready to take on responsibilities, just like with school and chores, which include exercising the animals and pet bathroom needs.

The best pets for kids can grow to become an important part of your family by ensuring safety, teaching your kids about the responsibilities pets require and providing meaningful and enriching interactions. Whether a pet is already part of the gang or you’re waiting for your children to be ready, animals are a great addition to any family.

Not sure you’re ready for a pet? Read 10 Signs Your Family is Ready for a Pet.

Jennifer Stauffer worked as an elementary teacher, as well as in press and legislation on Capitol Hill. She now chronicles motherhood and pop culture on her blog Mom Tattles.

Choosing a pet for the first time? Here is all the information you need to know about our favourite small animals.

C ats make wonderful companions for pet owners of every age, and there are many fascinating breeds to choose from. Some cats spend hours exploring outside, while others are happiest indoors with their owners. They are intelligent, independent creatures that set their own rules.

Need to know

Most cats sleep for 16-20 hours a day and they often nap in very strange places. They have a short attention span, an inquisitive nature, and can run and jump at great speed when required.

Ideal for

Older people who enjoy company, families and people who aren’t always at home during the day.

Dogs are the UK’s most popular pet and there’s a breed to suit most people – from tenacious terriers which love to be active, to placid labradors, playful poodles and charming shih tzus. Dogs need consistent training and regular exercise but, in return for your efforts, they’ll shower you with love.

Need to know

“Loyalty, affection and limitless enthusiasm are what make dogs such rewarding pets,” says Mark Smith, from the Pets at Home pet team. Walking your dog is a brilliant way to exercise and make new friends, and most dogs also love playing games.

Ideal for

Families and adults who work at home – especially nature-lovers and sporty types.

Rabbit

Rabbits prefer to be kept in pairs with a friendly companion as they are very sociable animals – a neutered male/female pair works best. Their homes should allow them to stand up without their ears touching the roof of the cage or run. “Rabbits need lots of space to live in – a large hutch with a run attached or even better, a safe, enclosed garden with plenty of toys and hiding places, and things to hop onto,” says Mark.

Need to know

Many rabbits can be fearful at first, so you have to be patient and handle them gently. They need to eat lots of hay every day, and they’ll appreciate food treats, toys and places to hide.

Ideal for

Families with older children and adults, ideally with a garden.

Guinea pig

Guinea pigs love being with company, so it’s best to keep neutered male/female or same-sex groups. Never keep them with rabbits, though, as the guinea pigs may get bullied. They can live indoors or outdoors, but they need to be kept warm in winter.

Need to know

Guinea pigs are alert, intelligent pets that enjoy being kept busy with toys, treats and puzzles. Some are happy to be groomed and stroked, and others will “whistle” or squeak to their owners.

Ideal for

Families and adults, ideally with a garden.

Hamster & gerbil

“Small, furry pets like hamsters and gerbils are often chosen as first pets for children, but they can be very rewarding for adults,” says Mark. Hamsters are usually kept in a large cage with tunnels and a wheel, while gerbils need a “gerbilarium” with a thick layer of bedding to burrow in.

Need to know

“There are two commonly kept types of hamster – Syrian and dwarf – and they should never be kept together,” says Mark. Both are active at night, and while Syrians must live alone as adults, dwarves can live in same-sex pairs, but do sometimes squabble. Gerbils, on the other hand, are active during the day, should be kept in same-sex groups and, with time and patience, can become very tame.

Ideal for

Families and adults.

Degu & chinchilla

Degus are friendly, active and entertaining, and they love the company of both humans and other degus. Chinchillas can sometimes be more timid but are equally appealing.

Need to know

Degus need lots of attention because they become bored easily; they also need a large cage with a solid floor. Chinchillas prefer to be kept alone or in same-sex pairs; they’re nocturnal and love having a dust bath to play in.

Ideal for

Families and adults.

Reptiles

The most commonly kept reptiles include the bearded dragon, leopard gecko, crested gecko and corn snake. All of these pets are happy to live alone in a special tank called a vivarium, with heating and lighting to keep them warm and healthy.

Need to know

If you want a reptile you can hold, bearded dragons and leopard geckos are the most suitable, but you need to handle them regularly and gently to win their trust. Feeding needs vary. “Bearded dragons eat both vegetables and insects, crested geckos eat a combination of paste-type food and live insects, whereas leopard geckos survive on insects alone,” says Mark. Corn snakes have beautiful markings and eat just once a week or so.

Ideal for

Families with older children and adults.

If you don’t have space for a larger pet, an aquarium is ideal. Tanks come in a variety of sizes and there are many different types of fish. “Tropical, temperate, cold water and even marine fish can be kept as pets, with massive variation in the types you can keep, from slow-swimming fancy goldfish varieties to a busy tropical community tank,” says Mark.

Need to know

You can design your perfect aquarium by using Pets at Home’s new fish points system, which ensures you have the right number and the right type of fish for your tank. Popular starter fish include tetras, danios, mollies, platys and gouramis.

Ideal for

Choosing the perfect family pet

Pets at Home is the UK’s largest pet supplies store. From toys and bedding to tailored food and in-store veterinary clinics, it’s the first place to go for any pet need.

When choosing a pet, make sure the temperament of the animal matches your family and lifestyle. Make it clear to the adoption agency or pet store that pet care for kids is important to your family. Pets can bring many years of joy if chosen correctly, and pet care can help teach children kindness and patience. For a fun activity, have your child use this printable to sort animals by identifying ones that make good pets.

Age 3 and Under

Children learn how to model positive behavior through parents guiding them to be kind and responsible pet owners. It’s important to tell children this age that pets are living animals and it’s never OK to pull their tails, pick them up without a grown up, or to go near them when eating. Young children under the age of three aren’t mature enough to care for a pet, but they can help an older sibling or parent with getting supplies or answering simple questions like, “Where do we keep the dog’s food?” If you’ve gotten a puppy, use this list to make sure you have the right supplies!

Preschool: Ages 4-5

Children this age can certainly pet their animals carefully from head down to tail. They can also drop a treat onto the floor for their cat or dog to eat. Children this age are far too young to feed or walk a pet, but they can assist mom, dad, or older sibling with these duties by holding onto the leash while they walk the dog. Sometimes there’s an extra loop on the leash that a child of this age can help hold. Print off this customizable pet care chart for kids to help keep track of your child’s duties!

Early Elementary: Ages 6-8

Kids this age are eager learners but still need the supervision of an older sibling or adult. Teaching simple tricks and commands, and playing fetch are all great ways for your child to care for his pet’s need for stimulation and attention. Children this age can also learn brush their cat or dog correctly (head to tail in the direction the coat is growing) with supervision. Small dogs can be walked on a leash in an enclosed yard with an adult’s supervision to give them the experience in a safe environment. Bigger dogs still need to be walked by adults but the kids can help.

Later Elementary: Ages 8-11

At age 9, most kids who have been taught correctly can walk their dog for short distances under the watchful eye of an adult. At age 10 and 11, depending upon the child, they can likely walk their dog solo. This is the age most kids can groom their pet, play with them, and the older of this age range can help pick up poop! Sure it’s gross but it’s part of pet care for kids! Teaching them proper hygiene before, during, and after is crucial and depends upon your individual child’s maturity. Kids this age can also help bathe their dog and be taught how to feed the family pet.

Middle School and Beyond: Ages 12+

A whole new world of responsibility opens as your child reaches middle-school age and beyond to the high school years. Kids this age are more responsible and can handle all pet care tasks with ease. Some kids this age start their own business caring for pets for neighbors while they are away by walking and feeding dogs or checking in on and feeding cats and other pets. Most kids this age have a good understanding of animal cues if taught properly by adults and if they have past experience with pets.

Still choosing a pet? Follow us on Pinterest for advice on everything from pets to parenting!

By Erik Missio
Photography by Robert Przybysz © 123RF.com

Jan 12, 2017

There are lots of reasons why adding a pet to your human family can be a great idea. It might mean companionship for your kids, or a way to instil a sense of responsibility through showing them how hard and rewarding it can be to care for another living thing. Pets can be fun, comforting, fascinating to watch, challenging to train, or a way to foster a unique connection. It’s also a lot of work.

Gifting someone a pet for their birthday or a holiday is a terrible idea — you’ve just handed them years and years of responsibility and bills to pay.

People who love their animals unconditionally will still be the first to say how much labour, patience, empathy, stress and money is involved. It’s a lot like parenting. This is the reason why no one should get a pet without doing lots of research. It’s also why gifting someone a pet for their birthday or a holiday is a terrible idea — you’ve just handed them years and years of responsibility and bills to pay.

But if you are ready for a pet, how do you decide which one is the right fit for your family? We’ve got a fun quiz to give you some ideas. (If you’re serious about getting a pet, you need to do the research. This means not only reading web articles and talking to other owners, but also finding experts to answer all your questions. Certain bylaws may even make your chosen pet illegal in your city.)

Your family is about to get a little bigger!

Congratulations! You’ve decided to grow your family and welcome a pet into the fold. Before you head over to the pet store (or, better yet, adoption center), there are a ton of things to consider. And the most important thing to determine is what type of animal you’ll be getting. If there are children involved, that means figuring out the best pets for kids, because it isn’t always as copasetic as TV makes it out to be.

While there’s no guarantee that a certain type of animal is the perfect fit for your child, it’s important to consider the personality traits of your kid first. Are they active, homebodies, intelligent, quiet, or playful children? By matching the character of your child to similar traits of the type of animal you’ll be getting, the two should get along quite nicely.

“To really create the human-animal bond, [the fulfillment] has to be mutual,” veterinarian Dr. Liz Bales says tells Woman’s Day. “They will best fulfill your needs when you fulfill their needs, then the magic happens with a lifelong bond.”

But that’s not the only thing you need to consider as a parent. Each type of animal has a different cost and commitment, and it’s important to understand the needs and life expectancy of your new pet. Once you’ve chosen the best pet for your kid, it will be one of the most fulfilling and valuable life lessons they will ever have. They’ll learn responsibility, patience, care, and most importantly, love.

Even with the best of intentions and a lot of effort, it can happen. Sometimes you really do need to rehome your beloved pets.

There are so many life changes and situations that we cannot anticipate. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it is better for everyone to find a different home for Fido or Fluffy.

After you have made this tough decision, it’s time to explain it all to your children. This can be even harder, especially since they adore your pet even more than you do.

Use these 6 tips for talking to your kids about rehoming your pet.

1. Be Honest

Be upfront about why you need to rehome your dog, cat or other creature. Children can tell when you are hiding something or not telling the truth. It’s better to be honest now, and answer all of their questions, rather than play catch-up later to cover your tracks.

• if a family member has or has developed an allergy
• if the cost of pet care was just too much
• if the cost of moving with the pet is too high
• if your housing situation doesn’t allow a pet
• if your house isn’t the best place for your pet (no yard or too small)
• if life changes (like a new baby, illness or injury) have changed the pet situation
• if you just don’t have time to devote to your pet
• if the pet is aggressive with the kids or baby
• if the pet is too old or ill to move with your family
• if you are moving overseas and your pet can’t make the trip for any reason

There are so many life changes and situations that we cannot anticipate. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, it is better for everyone to find a different home for Fido or Fluffy.

2. Don’t Blame Your Kids

Kids are kids. They are still learning how to care for themselves. It’s frankly a miracle if they remember to both flush the toilet and wash their hands. Kids, no matter what age, should not be held responsible for all of the pet care.

When you tell them that your pup or kitty is going to a new home, don’t blame the kids.

Instead, explain that as a family, things have changed or happened. As a family, you are no longer able to care for the pet the way it deserves.

3. Do Your Research

Before you even tell the kids, you need to do some research. Yes, there are animal shelters in every community in the United States and abroad. However, many of these shelters are considered “high kill.” In other words, animals surrendered to these places have a ticking clock: either be adopted by a certain date or be euthanized.

If possible, try to find another option like a compassionate animal shelter or another family to adopt your pet. There are many groups online that can help direct you toward loving foster homes, pet adoption agencies or rehoming services.

4. Keep the Kids Involved

If you opt to find another family yourself, keep the kids involved in the search process. Remember, this is a beloved member of your family. You don’t want to give your dog or cat to just anyone!

Let them help make the ads or posters to show off your beautiful pet. Have your kids help you to weed through the people who want your pet. If it’s safe, bring them with you for meet-ups with the potential new owners.

Ask your pet’s new family if they might keep you updated with pictures and stories. Your child will want to know that their pet is still loved!

5. Don’t Make Any Promises

It is so tempting to make promises when you are talking to your kids about rehoming your pet. This is especially true if your current military life circumstances are forcing your hand.

You might be tempted to say:

• “We’ll get a new pet at our next duty station.”
• “When the baby is bigger, we can get another pet.”
• “When we get a house with a yard, we can get a new dog.”
• “If we get a bigger house, we can get another pet.”
• “Let’s get a cat/reptile/fish tank instead.”

Before you even sit down with your kids, be really honest with yourself. Why do you need to rehome your pet right now? Really consider these reasons and then don’t promise anything.

6. Let Them Be Sad

Remember, this isn’t just any pet. This is THEIR pet, their best friend and snuggle buddy. He or she will be leaving the family forever and it is sad.

Your kids might have ideas about how to keep your pet. Listen to them. They might have a creative solution that you didn’t consider.

Take time to grieve together as a family. Do some things together to help remember your beloved pet. Take pictures together, go for favorite walks or give special treats.

Talk about your pet after it is in the new home. If the new owners have agreed, let your kids write cards or letters to your pet or the adoptive family.

Fish make great pets.

No seriously! It’s fairly easy to care for fish.

Below you’ll find all the information you need to know, including the benefits of having fish as pets, how to care for fish, what to feed them and how to make a healthy fish home. Let’s get started.

Benefits of keeping pet fish

Not only does owning a pet provide social, health and educational benefits to children but current research provides evidence that owning pets also affects positive attitudes toward wildlife (Prokop and Tunncliffe, 2010).

• They’re quiet
• They don’t take much work
• A simple set up is quite inexpensive
• They’re interesting to watch
• They are a unique pet
• You can have many different types

The benefits of children keeping pet fish

• The concept of animals living in water and not being able to breathe air amazes children. Having a fish tank is a perfect opportunity to learn about fish and understand their gills and behaviour. It can also lead to learning about all animals that live under the water too.
• Fish come in an array of different, size colours and shapes – perfect for extended learning.
• Children will learn how to take care of fish and feel a sense of accomplishment every time they do so. Keeping fish builds responsibility.
• Owning a fish tank is a stress reducer. Watching the fish swim peacefully through the water and the bubbles floating to the surface can really relax you. If you have a child that’s rather emotional, this might be a nice place to sit them if they are feeling a little overwhelmed or overtired.
• Children may have the added excitement of seeing one of your fish having babies. Miss Possum was so excited to see 12 baby guppies swimming and hiding around the plants. We watched them grow and she loved and learnt from the experience

Where can you buy fish?

Any local pet shop has the set up and materials you need to start keeping fish as pets. There are also plenty of people selling their second hand set ups online too.

We bought a second hand fish tank with a filter and aerator at a market for $30 (two foot long), which was a bargain but by the end of set up it cost us approximately $150 (not including fish).

Make sure that you do your research and get a tank that suits your price range.

Fish pet care

What you need to keep fish

• A fish tank- start with a really easy setup like this
• Gravel
• Plants and other accessories
• A filter – This one reminds me of the filter in Finding Nemo
• Heater and thermometer (for tropical fish)
• Aerator
• Fish food
• A good water testing kit and water stabilizers. I use Sechem Stability and Prime for my stabilizers.
• Cleaning products
• Net

Fish tank set up

Firstly, no matter what tank you decide to buy, you’ll need some patience.

After you’ve set up your fish tank and added water, you’ll need to let it sit for up to two weeks before adding the fish. The filter needs to build the good bacteria that will help it to dispose of fish waste. If the fish tank’s not ready, the fish can die from ammonia poisoning.

Fish tank cleaning

Be sure to clean and maintain your fish tank. Although fish live in water, a fish tank does need to be cleaned once a week, 10 % of the water needs to be replaced and it’s a good idea to use a gravel cleaner.

Also, don’t forget to discuss what could happen if the fish are overfed. Ammonia levels will sky rocket and your fish might die. Why not design a chart that lets each person in the family take an active role in taking care of the fish each day.

There are plenty of benefits to keeping fish but of course it is one of the least hands-on pets. You can’t touch them, you can only watch. It’s important to keep that in mind if you decide this pet is for you.

Do you have fish at home or at school?

More fish care information

• More information about price and setup of tropical fish
• Top three Pet Fish for Kids

*Prokop, P and Tunnicliffe, S. 2010. Effects of having pets at home on children’s attitudes toward popular and unpopular animals. Anthrozoos 23: 21-35

Meet Penny

Penny Whitehouse is a mother of three, with tertiary qualifications in wildlife biology and early years education and 12 years’ experience as an environmental education officer, she is a perfect storm of the passion, knowledge and skills required to get younger generations connecting with the natural world.

Having a pet can add a whole other dimension to your family, giving your kids something to play with, something to care for, and something to love. Whether it’s a cat, dog, snake, hamster, guinea pig, Gila monster lizard, or a bunny, there are so many wonderful things about pet ownership. Because there are different levels of care for each one, it’s a good idea to research which pet might be right for your family, but no matter which you choose, there are many reasons why it’s great for kids to have pets.

Pet ownership gives your kids a range of benefits, from making them more responsible and slightly less self-centered to just bringing them sheer happiness. Having somewhat recently adopted two adorable kittens (who have since grown into ravenous, rambunctious teenage cats), I never expected to feel so much love for an animal, even one who pokes me awake at 5:30 a.m. most mornings and has torn up one of our couches. My previously scared-of-animals daughter can’t get enough of them. We waited a long time to get anything more ambitious than a hamster or a goldfish and, to be honest, I’m kind of sorry we did.

Dr. Sara Joseph, a veterinarian in Massachusetts who has been practicing almost 25 years, tells Romper that pets can unite a family. “Households can have conflicts,” she says, “but what most family members agree about is how awesome, remarkable, and adorable their pet is.” Dr. Joseph also cautions that one of the toughest parts of pet ownership is the loss of the pet — it’s one of the hardest yet most valuable lessons a child can learn.

Because it’s better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all, here are all the good things to remember when contemplating taking the pet plunge.

1. Pets Help Kids Understand Science Better

Don’t sign them up for med school yet, but Dr. Gail F. Melson, a developmental psychologist found that young children who had pets at home have a stronger understanding of biology than their peers, reported Scientific American.

2. They Reduce Anxiety

Kids with pets are more chill and less worried because there’s always someone to comfort them when they get home. Dr. Melson found that, “kids who turned to their pets for emotional support were less anxious and withdrawn than those who didn’t,” as Scientific American reported.

3. Kids Will Learn How To Be Kind & Empathetic

Kids will learn about empathy from animals, Caryn Gray, a volunteer and Social Media Coordinator for the Hi Tor Animal Shelter in New York tells Romper. Animals don’t take any BS, so if the kids want the animals to be kind to them, they have to be good to their pet.

4. They Give Kids A Sense of Responsibility

Responsibility for a pet goes even beyond changing the litter, walking, and feeding them. Dr. Joseph tells Romper, “I love walking into an exam room to meet a new pet and hearing how much thorough research the children have done prior to acquiring that animal. They are active participants in the acquisition, training and care of the pet.” Because the kids are the ones who often spend more time with the pet, Dr. Joseph says they can be the ones who give the most accurate medical information at vet visits.

5. They Keep Kids Active

Dogs get the kids outdoors each time they need to be walked. Gray says that even cats can make kids more active just by playing with them.

6. And Away From Technology

Bonus points for putting the iPad down. While so much of our kids’ lives are filled with screens, interacting with their pets takes them away from that, says Gray. She feels it teaches kids to be more present.

7. Pets Boost Self-Esteem

Who wouldn’t want someone in the house who adores you no matter what and comes running every time you come home? This unconditional love boosts confidence, reported Health.

8. They Help Kids Become More Comfortable & Confident Readers

Kids who struggle with reading are often helped by reading to their pets. A study at Tufts University found that second graders who read to therapy dogs in an after school program demonstrated better attitudes toward reading. The kids become more relaxed around the pets and feel they are less judgmental in their listening.

9. You’ll See Improved Impulse Control

Having a pet will help teach your child how to interact with other living things. Gray says that children who have an animal in their house learn to curb their impulse control because they quickly come to realize that you can’t just grab an animal.

10. They Help Build Immunity

Believe it or not, it’s possible that your child’s immune system will strengthen if you have a pet by reducing their risk to allergies, according to Medical Daily. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention revealed that pet ownership can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.

11. They Can Be Best Friends

There’s a reason dogs are called “Man’s Best Friend.” The unconditional love between a child and his pet is irreplaceable.

Check out Romper’s new video series, Bearing The Motherload, where disagreeing parents from different sides of an issue sit down with a mediator and talk about how to support (and not judge) each other’s parenting perspectives. New episodes air Mondays on Facebook.

CasarsaGuru / Getty Images

It never fails—your child sees a movie, cartoon, photo, or television special showing a gorgeous talking parrot, and all a sudden, it seems like the kid has gone “bird crazy.” You are showered with requests to get your little one a pet parrot of his or her very own, and understandably, you might be apprehensive about doing so. For years, parents have wondered whether or not parrots can make good pets for children, and many of those questions are due to scenarios just like this.

If you have recently found yourself in this sort of situation, then you have come to the right place! In this article, you will learn what goes into keeping a pet parrot, basic bird personality traits, and ultimately, whether or not parrots are a good choice as a pet for young people in general.

What Parents Should Know About Pet Parrots

It is difficult to summarize all that goes into caring for any pet bird, much less one as complex as a parrot. There are a few key points about parrots that parents should keep in mind before rushing out to get one for their child:

• Parrots can be dangerous. Parrots both large and small are essentially wild animals. Even very tame parrots can seriously injure people with their powerful beaks and sharp claws, even if they don’t mean to. Children are at risk due to their tendencies to make quick movements and loud noises that could frighten a pet bird. If you do consider a parrot as a pet for your child, it is advised that you don’t allow the two of them to interact without close adult supervision.
• Parrots can be messy and take up a lot of space. By nature, birds create a big mess when they are eating, drinking, and playing. Many times, children can overlook big messes such as this when their parents simply cannot. If your child wants a pet parrot, he or she will need to understand that the bird’s cage will need to be thoroughly cleaned every day to keep the bird from getting sick. Proper hygiene is essential to stop the disease from spreading to both the bird and the child. In addition to all this, parrots need large cages and lots of “parrot proof” space to exercise and play.
• Parrots can live for a very long time. Many parents are apprehensive about making a commitment to a pet with a longer than average lifespan, and understandably so. For this reason, parents need to realize that parrots can live for up to 50 years or more when properly cared for. The decision to adopt a parrot is not one to be taken lightly.
• Parrots can be expensive. Kids normally don’t work for a paycheck, so it’s easy for them to look past the costs of caring for a pet. Not only do pet parrots normally cost quite a bit to purchase, but the costs of a proper cage can also run into the thousands of dollars, and paying for a visit to an avian veterinarian can cost hundreds if the bird needs treatment.

As mentioned before, these are only a few of the points that should be considered before adopting a parrot. Having a bird in the house can change your life in ways that many people can’t possibly imagine.

Your decision to allow your child to have a pet parrot should be based on your child’s maturity and responsibility level, your ability to pick up any slack where the bird’s care is concerned, and jointly, whether or not you and your child can work together to provide a pet bird a happy and loving home. Be sure to take the time to do plenty of research and not make any hasty decisions about adopting a parrot. Doing so will not only save your family the trouble and heartache of adopting a pet that you won’t be able to keep but will be a great example of proper, informed decision-making to your little one. Good luck!

Sarah Brooks

Pets are a huge responsibility — and as parents, we want to make sure our kids are ready for the task. Here’s what you should consider before taking the plunge and getting a pet!

My parents were always pretty lax when it came to pets. From a young age, we had everything from hamsters and guinea pigs to cats and dogs. We swore up and down we’d take care of them, only to get bored within a few weeks and forget. This forced our parents to become the main caretakers of the mini-zoo we begged for. Now that I’m raising my own family, I refuse to take on a herd of animals in addition to my kids. We spoke with Certified Dog Training expert Amy Robinson regarding the best time to get your child a pet.

SheKnows: How old should your child be?

Amy Robinson: I don’t believe there is a magic age when it comes to getting your child a pet. Here are a few tips to know when your child is ready:

1. The child takes responsibility for their schoolwork.
2. He or she is a self-starter, getting up for school and getting dressed without prodding.
3. The child gravitates toward the outdoors and is interested in nature (this is especially important when getting a dog).
4. The child shows compassion for living things, even bugs!

SK: When is the best time to get a pet?

AR: The best time to get a pet might be during school breaks, like holiday time, when everyone is home for at least a few days. I suggest getting together a job chart to show what is involved in day-to-day care. Parents should assign age-appropriate jobs and include themselves on the chart, so kids look at tasks as fun ways to bond with the pet. Kids as young as 3 can help with feeding and water, but avoid asking your preschooler to walk a Great Dane!

SK: Is there ever a time you shouldn’t get your child a pet?

AR: Getting a pet can’t fix a sad or stressful event, like the loss of a grandparent or a best friend moving away. Teach kids pets are not possessions, but living, breathing, needy beings looking to humans for their health and happiness.

Other factors to consider when getting a pet

It’s important to make sure that you are also ready to get a pet, not just your child. Yes, your child needs to be responsible and old enough to handle a pet, but as a parent, you’re still the one in charge of it. Most likely, you’ll be the one financially responsible for the pet. This includes food, toys, cages or kennels, shots, vet bills and even the cost of replacing a household item if the pet were to have an accident.

Another factor to consider before getting your child a pet is your schedules. If your child goes to school, participates in after-school activities and plays sports, now may not be a great time. Also, take a look at your own schedule. Do you work often or are you able to stay home with the kids? If no one’s home most days, it’s not fair to the pet to keep it trapped for 10+ hours per day.

Readers

When did you first get a pet or when did you first get your child a pet? Share in the comments below!

If you’re more than a few months pregnant or have a baby or a toddler, wait until your child is 3 or older before bringing a new dog or cat home. Adopting a pet is a big commitment of time and resources, and the added responsibility can be hard for new parents. You’ll spend as much as three hours a day training and exercising a new puppy, and up to an hour with an older dog. Plus, there will be an adjustment period after you bring a new animal home. During this time, accidents will happen more often and trouble spots will be identified.

It’s important that your child be mature enough to behave responsibly when your new pet’s behavior is unknown and unproven. And keep in mind that your child probably won’t be mature enough to help with a pet until he’s 7 or 8 years old.

At first, you can expect to spend up to $400 a month on your pet for food, training, and other expenses. This is especially true in the first six months, when you’ll be buying supplies and going to the vet more often. Buying a dog or cat can set you back anywhere from $100 to $200 for a shelter animal to $2,000 or more for a purebred, plus extra costs for spaying or neutering, vaccinations, and microchip identification.

If you still have your heart set on getting a pet now, consider a dog or cat that’s a “young adult” — from age 1 to 5. Dogs and cats in this age range are best with young children. They’re not as excitable and prone to rough play as puppies and kittens, and they’re not old enough to suffer from arthritis or other health problems, which can make pets crotchety and add to your responsibilities as a pet owner. Many shelters and rescues have foster programs, in which young adult pets get training and experience living in a home, so these programs will have a more accurate picture of those animals’ behavior with children and families.

No matter where you find your pet, be sure to choose one that’s comfortable around kids.

If you’re pregnant and have already adopted a furry friend, see how to prepare your dog or cat for your new baby’s arrival.

Editor’s note: A 2006 study on dog bites published in Pediatrics recommends that parents wait until kids are school-age before bringing a dog home. The study found that babies (up to a year old) were the most likely to be bitten — often by dogs they knew and had provoked unintentionally. The number of attacks dropped as children’s ages increased. Study authors recommend that parents train their children to act appropriately around dogs and always supervise interactions between dogs and kids.

Budgeting for a New Pet

Whether you’re considering adopting a cat, dog, rabbit, hamster, or guinea pig, you must be committed to caring for your new pet for its lifetime. Adding a pet as a new family member is exciting, sometimes frustrating, and extremely rewarding. But you have to make sure you understand up front what kind of commitment you’re making. Pets thrive on love, but they also require tangibles like food, shelter and bedding. And you have to be prepared to give your new pet the veterinary care necessary for a long, healthy, happy life.

In 2011, there were approximately 218 million pets in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pet ownership crosses almost all demographic boundaries, and pet owners spend substantial amounts of money caring for their companion animals. On average, US households spend over $500 per year on their pets. Budgeting for your new family member helps ensure the best possible experience for both you and your pet. Here’s what budgeting for your new pet should include.

Puppies chew, kittens climb, and dogs have a tendency to get into food storage and trash cans. Before you bring your new best friend home, lock up any hazards like antifreeze or pest control products. Consider rearranging to keep “attractive nuisances” out of your pet’s territory. You may need to invest in storage products to items away from your pet that could become impromptu chew toys.

Choosing a Veterinarian

Many pet adoption agencies require you to list your veterinarian on the adoption application, so be prepared. Word-of-mouth referrals are great for finding a good vet, and you should visit, or at least telephone your new vet’s office to let them know you’ll be adopting an animal. Learn what your vet’s hours are and how after hours emergencies are handled.

Dogs generally require the most in the way of supplies. Here are the typical supplies you’ll need to consider when budgeting for your new pet:

•Food
•Food and water dishes
•Collar and leash
•ID tags (or implanted ID microchip)
•Dog bed
•Baby gates if you’re keeping your dog within certain parts of the house
•Crate
•Treats and toys

If you’re adopting a cat, you’ll need a litter box and litter, and ideally you should have a climbable “kitty condo” to keep him entertained and allow him to climb and use his claws. Small pets will require a safe, properly-sized cage, bedding, and specialized food.

Adoption costs vary widely, but pet adoption is rarely free. Some shelters will refund part or all of the cost of spaying or neutering your dog or cat, and some animals receive their initial vaccinations before they’re put up for adoption.

Budgeting for pet food will need to become a habit, and you’ll have to include cat litter for your cat, or bedding for your smaller pets when budgeting. If you use budgeting software like mint.com, you can easily add line items for regular pet expenses that will make budgeting for your new family member easier.

Dog training may seem like an unnecessary expense, particularly if you’re adopting a small dog, but budgeting for training is smart for any dog you adopt, even if he comes to you already trained. Basic classes cost around $100, and help you establish your household “chain of command.” Training classes are well worth the investment, particularly if you live in an apartment complex or other environment where your dog will regularly encounter other people and pets.

Budgeting for an initial veterinary evaluation is essential for your new pet. Your vet can alert you to any potential health problems, ensure your pet is properly vaccinated, help you with flea and parasite control, and arrange spaying or neutering – procedures that help pets have healthier, and often longer lives. Vaccinations will need to be updated yearly, and your budgeting should include money set aside for unforeseen veterinary expenses.

Adopting a pet can be one of the happiest and most rewarding of family events. Budgeting for your pet ensures that he will receive all the care he needs and deserves for a happy, healthy life. You may be surprised at how much of a financial investment adopting a pet is, but when you budget properly and make a solid commitment to provide a safe, healthy, happy home for a pet, the rewards are priceless.

Friends, it’s been a rough week. On Monday we lost our sweet cat Ana who was only 6 years old. She was a special girl who I affectionately called “second mom” because of the way she could sense when the boys were upset. Whether or not they were showing outward signs of sadness, frustration or anger, she seemed to know and would insist on cuddling with them. Sadly, this is not the first time I’ve been in a position to help kids cope with pet loss.

With the exception of our golden retriever, who I adopted before I was married or had children, every cat or dog our family has had was a rescue or a foster. We’ve cared for and loved many pets who no one else wanted or could care for. In doing that we’ve opened our hearts up to be broken when these sweet fur babies reached the end of their lives. which sometimes comes more quickly for pets who have had a rough start.

The time spent grieving our pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge has taught us some creative ways to help our kids cope with the loss of our pets. If you have recently experienced pet loss, I hope these tips help your family through the grieving process.

While every child and every family will find different ways to honor their pets and work through the grieving process, our family has used the following five activities after losing our beloved pets. From the tiniest mouse to the biggest dog, we’ve celebrated these furry lives and remembered the joy and unconditional love that our four-legged family members brought to us.

Make a Memorial Stone

We have a special place on our property where we bury our smaller pets when they pass away. It’s a shaded area that’s great for sitting and reflecting on pretty days. When we’ve lost a pet, I purchase pave stone or use broken cinder block pieces from projects around the yard to create memorial stones.

Using acrylic paint the boys (and sometimes I) make sweet memorial stones to place on the ground beside our pet’s grave. Sometimes the boys request to be alone while they paint. Other times we all sit together either quietly or chatting about how special our pet was to us.

After the paint has dried, we have a brief memorial service and place our memorial stones around the grave. For larger pets who were cremated and not buried on our property, we have made these memorial stones, as well.

Write a Note or Story About Your Pet

My oldest son finds that writing a note or story helps him to deal with the grief of losing a pet. Whether it’s a fiction story, a biography, a journal entry or just a little note to say good bye, your children might also find comfort in writing to or about their pet who has passed away.

Allow your child to be as private or as open as he or she wishes. When my son wrote a page-long note to his deceased mouse, he placed it inside his mouse’s aquarium and left it for a while before deciding he was ready to remove the aquarium and complete his grieving process. We could all see the note and he was fine with that.

When we buried Ana this week, he wrote a short note and placed it in her grave. He didn’t share what he’d written and preferred having privacy this time. Respect your child’s desire for privacy and don’t allow other children to infringe on each other’s privacy.

This child’s activity book from Rainbow Bridge is another great way for your kids to work through the loss of a pet.

Read a Book About Pet Loss

For children younger than 10, it may be helpful for them to read about stories of pet loss and how other families cope with the grief. Older children may be interested in understanding the stages of grief and how they will feel as they move through each.

Here are some wonderful books to read to your children when they are experiencing grief over the loss of a pet.

Draw or Paint Your Pet

Art and creativity are incredibly therapeutic and can help kids experiencing grief to work through their emotions in a way that simply talking about the situation can’t always help. Giving your child plenty of space and time to use creativity while grieving is important.

Encourage your child to draw or paint a picture of his or her lost pet. Frame it or save it in a special place where your child can look at it as often as he or she needs.

Children can draw a picture of a special moment they remember with their pet or of a special part of their daily routine with the pet. This helps to assure them that although their pet is gone, it has not been forgotten and those sweet memories are still accessible.

Buy Your Child a Stuffed Animal That Looks Like Your Pet

One of my boys’ favorite things to have after losing a pet is a stuffed animal that looks like their beloved pet. This especially helps if their pet slept with them before their passing. It’s comforting to your child to have the stuffed animal to pet, talk to and cuddle with as they go through the grieving process.

We have several versions of stuffed golden retrievers, a chocolate lab, and more that my children have either set on a shelf as a sweet reminder of their lost pets or played with and cuddled as their individual grief needs determined.

No matter how your family chooses to grieve your pet, remember that everyone grieves differently. Younger children may not spend much time in grief and older children may be affected more than they let on. Go with whatever your child needs no matter how long or short it takes and know that it’s better to have loved and lost a pet than to never have loved a pet at all.

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I am a lover of all pets, including unusual ones like earthworms.

Worms live underground, so a pet earthworm might not seem like the most exciting pet in the world—until you realize that your pet worm is the best, most stealthiest pet a kid can have! Your pet can live underground in a worm box, window box, or in a potted plant, or even outside in the garden.

If you want to keep a closer eye on your worm, there are worm farms, which are perfect for seeing your pet worm at work and play. Keep in mind, though, a worm kept in a little worm farm with nothing but dirt won’t live very long because they need food to eat.

What Do Worms Eat?

Worms feed on decomposing material, which is another way to say rotten food and plant scraps. If you have kitchen scraps, you can put them into a worm bin and the worms will eat the scraps and excrete a dirt-like substance that is very nutritious for other plants. Worms are nature’s scrap recyclers.

How to Care for Your Pet Worm(s)

There are lots of different kinds of worms in the world, and they require different kinds of care. The advice in this article is geared towards the common pink earthworm that you’ll find in most gardens.

1. Hands off! Pet worms are best watched, not played with and touched. It hurts a worm to be handled by your hands because they are designed to live in soil. If you have to move your worm from one place to another, be very gentle and try to move it with a little soil around it to protect it from your hands.
2. Say no to sun! Unlike you and I, who enjoy sunny days, worms are designed to live underground. Being exposed to sunlight can give them painful sunburn very quickly, and it can also cause them to die by drying them out. Make sure your worm is always gently covered with earth.
3. A little water goes a long way. The soil your worm lives in can be damp to moist, but it should never be soaking wet. Have you ever noticed the way worms end up on the pavements and roads after a heavy rainfall? That’s because they are trying to escape drowning in the water.
4. Yummy worm food. You can feed your worm all kinds of organic scraps— things like potato peels, apple skins, carrot peelings and other sorts of plant material. This might get stinky, so it can sometimes be best to keep your pet worm outside where the smell of the scraps won’t bother anyone.

Free Range Worm Pets

The best way to keep a pet worm is to just keep it for a few days and then let it go back into the wild again.Though it might make you sad to let your pet worm go, remember that worms are wild animals and can never really be tamed. They will live much longer, much healthier lives if you only spend a short time with them and send them on their way happy and healthy.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

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If you are thinking of bringing a goldfish home for your child, then there are some easy care tips for kids that you should know about. This article provides information about the same.

If you are thinking of bringing a goldfish home for your child, then there are some easy care tips for kids that you should know about. This article provides information about the same.

Kids love goldfish because they are not only cute and adorable, but also because there are so many interesting facts about goldfish, like they do not close their eyes when they are asleep, and they do not have a stomach. Kids love to take the entire responsibility of their pets. However, with conventional pets like cats and dogs, this is not possible as these pets need to be looked after continuously. It is not so with goldfish. Goldfish care is so simple that kids can look after these pets quite easily. Before bringing the goldfish home, both the parents and the child need to be aware of the necessities of the fish (which are minimal). Kids need to know what the goldfish needs. Here is a list of things which are a must regarding caring for these fish.

Aquarium

Though goldfish are small animals, they need a lot of space, which is mainly because they are great swimmers. Goldfish also tend to hide, as if playing hide and seek. Bring a big aquarium for your goldfish, as a small one could impede its normal growth and lead to stunted growth. The aquarium should have a water holding capacity of at least ten gallons. So, preferably, a fish tank is required for one goldfish. Do not buy a bowl, because normally bowls are too small even for one goldfish. However, a ten gallon bowl will take up a lot of space in the house.

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It is important to remind the kids when they are feeding the goldfish that they are small pets, so you can’t give them a handful of food. It has to be a pinch of fish food which consists of flakes, vegetables, pellets, chopped earthworms, etc. Goldfish love pellets. However, it is advisable to feed them pellets in the end, because the pellets contain air, and the goldfish gobble the pellets without letting the air sink in. So it is necessary to feed them pellets after the flakes or veggies, especially in cases of baby goldfish. Too many pellets can cause air bladder disease. Also, remove the leftover food to avoid production of ammonia. Thus, feeding the goldfish properly is very essential.

Water

Other animals need water only to drink and bathe, but water is the lifeline of fish. Ideally, you need to change the aquarium water once in a fortnight. Keep some water in the aquarium while changing it, as we do not generally move the fish out of the aquarium while changing the water. However, at any given time, the water temperature should not exceed 68 ºF. Although these aquarium fish can survive in cold water, in fact they can even hibernate if the temperature falls too low, some goldfish cannot tolerate water below 50 ºF. You also need to check the water for chemicals like chlorine or ammonia which are harmful for fish. You get ready-made kits in the market with which you can measure the level of chemicals present in the water. You also need to religiously practice aquarium care by cleaning it once in a while.

Filter

Goldfish waste makes the water dirty, which lessens the amount of oxygen in the water. If the oxygen in the water becomes less, the goldfish find it difficult to breathe. However, if you add a filter, the goldfish won’t have to face this problem. The filter cleans the water, thus maintaining the level of oxygen. So a filter is necessary. If you think a filter will take up a lot of space inside the aquarium, then you can put it outside the aquarium.

Goldfish care for kids is very easy. You can also add accessories to your aquarium like gravel, coral sand, aquarium plants, etc. to make it special for the kids. However, do not add so many accessories that the goldfish don’t have enough space to swim.

These alternatives can help kids receive the benefits of pets when they can’t have one at home.

By Marj Kleinman, Toca Magazine Writer Categories

If your circumstances don’t allow for a “forever” family pet, your kids can still experience connections with animals that produce beneficial effects.

• Digital pets. Virtual or robotic pets require regular attention (feeding, petting, playing) for survival. Although they know digi-pets aren’t living things, kids still attribute feelings and thoughts to them. Research shows that the lines are increasingly blurring between how kids relate to virtual vs. real animals.
• Fostering. Temporarily caring for an animal gives kids an opportunity to experience the responsibilities of pet ownership. Contact your local animal shelter or rescue group (sometimes located at pet shops). Kids may also play a rotating role in caring for a classroom pet. Kids can symbolically adopt animals at many animal sanctuaries, as well.
• Volunteering. Supporting elderly, busy or vacationing neighbors by feeding their pets or walking a dog can really help. It’s something you and your kid can do together and provides many teachable moments. It also give kids a sense of what it might be like to care for a pet on a daily basis. Depending on the child’s age and abilities, there may be other settings (like those below) that allow for light volunteering.
• Visiting. Seeing environments where animals are being cared for allows your child to learn about nurturing, as well as human-animal relationships. Parents can encourage gentle touch as well as awareness of body language and nonverbal communication for relatedness, respect and safety.

Here are a few places to visit and care for animals (both domestic and wild):

• Cat cafes. Established in Taiwan and popularized in Japan where most apartments don’t allow cats, cat cafes have popped up around the world with locations in most major U.S. cities.
• Dog parks. Whether at a dog run or just spotting Spot out and about, it’s important to ask the dog’s owner if it’s OK to pet their pup. Kids also need to be taught how to do it gently and carefully. Also, if the leash has a yellow ribbon, don’t approach — that dog needs space because he’s sick, scared or aggressive.
• Shelters. Kids can visit an animal shelter to donate old blankets, toys or treats, and say hello to the dogs and cats, but it might be tough telling the kids, “We’re just visiting, not bringing one home.’”
• Petting zoos. Children can care for animals at fairs, farms and zoos by brushing and feeding them.
• Animal sanctuaries.Sanctuaries, including some zoos and aquariums, are committed to providing safe and healthy refuge for abused, injured or abandoned wildlife in environments specifically designed for the unique animals they support. Many centers provide educational programs and camps where kids can learn about animal welfare.

Marj Kleinman is a Brooklyn based photographer and children’s media producer with a master’s in educational psychology.

When you’re about to welcome a new member into your family, you put a lot of effort into preparing your home. Even if your newest addition has four legs instead of two, you want to make sure your house is ready.

“Dogs don’t come knowing the rules. They don’t know they shouldn’t chew on the expensive Chinese fern you have sitting in your dining room,” says Patricia McConnell, PhD. She’s a certified applied animal behaviorist and author of Love Has No Age Limit: Welcoming an Adopted Dog Into Your Home. “Just as you would for an infant, you need to put yourself in your dog’s paws and look at the house from their perspective.”

Before you bring your new pet home, here are a few things you can do to prepare.

Dog Proof

Dogs don’t have hands. They explore their world with their mouths. So anything you don’t want licked, chewed, or eaten needs to be put away before your new dog arrives. That includes household items that can be risky to pets, such as:

• Cleaning products and lawn chemicals
• Pest control products
• Human medicines
• Poisonous plants, including azaleas, some lilies, daffodils, buttercups, and hyacinths
• Toys with small parts (dogs can choke on them, just like babies)

Replace these doggie no-no’s with items that are safe for your dog to explore. “Just like we give babies teething rings, we need to give dogs oral outlets for them to chew on,” says Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB. She’s an assistant professor of behavioral medicine in the department of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University. She suggests stocking up on rubber chew toys and stuffed animals that you don’t mind your dog tearing apart.

Continued

Pooch-Ready Basics

As excited as you are about your new pet, you don’t need to splurge and buy every trendy accessory on the market. These basics are all you’ll need:

Crate. Crate training will prevent your new puppy from using your dining-room table leg as a bathroom when you can’t keep an eye on him. The crate should be at least big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. Buy one that’s a little bigger so he can grow into it.

Collar and leash. The collar doesn’t need to be diamond-studded. Your dog won’t know the difference. “Just a regular flat buckle collar — something that has a secure ring that can hold a rabies tag, ID, and license,” Herron says.

Bed. Again, nothing fancy is needed. You just want a cozy space where your dog can feel comfortable and secure.

Find a Vet You Trust

Your veterinarian is just as important to your dog’s health as your pediatrician is to your kids’ health. Find one you trust. Ask friends for recommendations, and then interview the vet to be sure.

“You don’t just want to meet the veterinarian. You want to meet the office staff, the technicians. You want to feel welcome,” McConnell says.

Ask your vet for tips on what type of food to buy and how often you should bring your dog in for checkups. Also ask about spaying or neutering your pet if that hasn’t already been done. And find out about microchipping, which can help return your dog to you if he ever runs away.

Set Limits

When you first bring your dog home, close doors and set up baby gates to keep him in a confined area. This is good advice for both a new puppy and an older dog.

“You want your dog to have as little time as possible out of your eyesight,” McConnell says. “Even if they’re 8 years old and house-trained, they’re not house-trained to your house.”

Close off your pet’s outside space, too. Build a fence around your yard if you plan to let your dog go off-leash.

To make sure your dog behaves, sign him up for training classes ahead of time. “You want to look for positive reinforcement-based training,” Herron says. She recommends hiring a trainer with the certification “CPDT” (Certified Professional Dog Trainer).

Continued

Make a Plan

Adopting a pet involves more than household preparation. “It’s lifestyle preparation,” Herron says. Decide who’ll be in charge of house-training, feeding, and exercising your pet, and when during the day these activities will be done.

Come up with some rules as a family. Which rooms or pieces of furniture are off-limits? Where do you want the dog to sleep? Whatever you decide, everyone needs to be consistent and stick to the plan.

“It’s not fair to a dog to have confused expectations that vary from person to person. It’s like having a language in which you’re changing the word for ‘chair’ every day,” McConnell says. “Dogs need consistency.”

Stick to your plan, but don’t expect your dog to do the same. Just like children, dogs don’t always behave and follow the rules.

“It takes dogs about a year to settle in,” McConnell says. “It’s very easy to feel either worried or frustrated if, after a month or two, things aren’t perfect. The fact of the matter is, it just takes time.”

Sources

Patricia McConnell, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist; author, Love Has No Age Limit: Welcoming an Adopted Dog Into Your Home, McConnell Publishing, Ltd., 2011.

Humane Society: “Common Household Dangers for Pets.”

Meghan Herron, DVM, DACVB, assistant professor of behavioral medicine, department of veterinary clinical sciences, Ohio State University.

For most kids, pets are more than just animals their families own — they’re members of the family and the best of friends.

Unfortunately, the joy of owning a pet goes hand-in-hand with the heartbreak of losing one, whether because of old age, illness, or an accident.

And that can be very hard. After all, family pets often are the first to greet kids in the morning and after school. Your pet may be the one your child looks to for comfort and companionship when ill or feeling unpopular or upset.

While it’s impossible to shelter kids from the loss of a pet, you can help them cope with it. And because a pet’s death might be their first time losing a loved one, the grieving process can help kids learn how to cope with other losses throughout life.

Sharing the News and the Grief

One of the most difficult parts about losing a pet may be breaking the bad news to kids. Try to do so one-on-one in a place where they feel safe and comfortable and not easily distracted.

As you would with any tough issue, try to gauge how much information kids need to hear based on their age, maturity level, and life experience.

If your pet is very old or has a long illness, consider talking to kids before the death happens. If you have to euthanize your pet, you may want to explain that:

• the veterinarians have done everything that they can
• your pet would never get better
• this is the kindest way to take the pet’s pain away
• the pet will die peacefully, without feeling hurt or scared

Again, a child’s age, maturity level, and questions will help determine whether to offer a clear and simple explanation for what’s going to happen. If so, it’s OK to use words like “death” and “dying” or to say something like “The veterinarian will give our pet a shot that first puts it to sleep and then stops the heart from beating.” Many kids want a chance to say goodbye beforehand, and some may be old enough or emotionally mature enough to be there to comfort the pet during the process.

If you do have to euthanize your pet, be careful about saying the animal went “to sleep” or “got put to sleep.” Young kids tend to take things literally, so this can conjure up scary ideas about sleep or surgery and anesthesia.

If the pet’s death is more sudden, calmly explain what has happened. Be brief, and let your child’s questions guide how much information you provide.

Sticking to the Truth

Avoid trying to gloss over the event with a lie. Telling a child that “Buster ran away” or “Max went on a trip” is not a good idea. It probably won’t alleviate the sadness about losing the pet, and if the truth does come out, your child will probably be angry that you lied.

If asked what happens to the pet after it dies, draw on your own understanding of death, including, if relevant, the viewpoint of your faith. And since none of us knows fully, an honest “I don’t know” certainly can be an appropriate answer — it’s OK to tell kids that death is a mystery.

Helping Your Child Cope

Like anyone dealing with a loss, kids usually feel a variety of emotions besides sadness after the death of a pet. They might experience loneliness, anger if the pet was euthanized, frustration that the pet couldn’t get better, or guilt about times that they were mean to or didn’t care for the pet as promised.

Help kids understand that it’s natural to feel all of those emotions, that it’s OK to not want to talk about them at first, and that you’re there when they are ready to talk.

Don’t feel compelled to hide your own sadness about losing a pet. Showing how you feel and talking about it openly sets an example for kids. You show that it’s OK to feel sad when you lose a loved one, to talk about your feelings, and to cry when you feel sad. And it’s comforting to kids to know that they’re not alone in feeling sad. Share stories about the pets you had — and lost — when you were young and how difficult it was to say goodbye.

Looking Ahead

After the shock of the news fades, it’s important to help your child heal and move on.

It can help kids to find special ways to remember a pet. You might have a ceremony to bury your pet or just share memories of fun times you had together. Write a prayer together or offer thoughts on what the pet meant to each family member. Share stories of your pet’s funny moments. Offer lots of loving hugs. You could do a project too, like making a scrapbook.

Keep in mind that grieving over the loss of a pet, particularly for a child, is similar to grieving over a person. For kids, losing a pet who offered love and companionship can be much harder than losing a distant relative. You might have to explain that to friends, family members, or others who don’t own pets or don’t understand that.

Perhaps most important, talk about your pet, often and with love. Let your child know that while the pain will go away, the happy memories of the pet will always remain. When the time is right, you might consider adopting a new pet — not as a replacement, but as a way to welcome another animal friend into your family.

Don’t have space for a big pet? Don’t worry. There are still plenty of friendly palm-sized options your child will love.

When you’re looking to add a pet to your family, there are many options to choose from other than cats and dogs. Plenty of cuddly and furry pets are more compact, easier to care for, affordable, and don’t require as much attention. Small pets are good options for children older than 5 because they can be a great way to teach responsibility, says Dr. Jennifer Graham, assistant professor at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. To decide which small animal might work as a family pet, you should do as much research as you would when choosing a larger pet. Some of the most popular small pets, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, might look similar but are very different in terms of their needs and how they interact with kids. But if you’re looking for small pets that require less interaction and are just fun to watch, a gerbil or even a chinchilla might be right for your family. When deciding on a small pet for your family, consider these six options — some traditional and some unusual — and before you welcome the right pet into your home, keep in mind that each one has unique needs and characteristics.

Hamsters

This classic small pet is easy to care for and can even be trained to use litter, but hamsters can be rather nippy, and small breeds (females in particular) can be quite aggressive, warns Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, an exotic-pets expert at New York City’s Animal Medical Center. This makes some hamsters difficult to handle; Dr. Graham recommends getting a larger breed such as the Syrian hamster, which is more likely to adapt to being handled. A hamster should also be kept in a cage that is roomy, with tunnels and nesting areas for sleeping, but make sure you can clean the cage easily. A hamster will typically live for about three years, so consider how much your child will want to interact with it: If you think she will lose interest in caring for the hamster, these years might seem long, but they could also seem too short if the pet dies, giving your child her first exposure to death. Unless your child has experienced the loss of a family member or friend, the experience will undoubtedly be upsetting, though it can also provide the opportunity for an important life lesson. “It can be sad but also a way to introduce the idea that everything dies,” Dr. Graham says. “You can be there as your child goes through the experience.”

Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs may be in the same rodent family as hamsters, but their demeanor couldn’t be more different. These rodents are gentle and have a sweet disposition, which makes them less likely to bite. Plus, they can be sociable, which means they won’t mind being handled — as long as they are held properly — and they won’t mind if young kids want to interact with them. These cuddly creatures are ideal for a kid who is just learning to take care of a pet because a guinea pig is less likely to get frustrated with its young caretaker. Consider getting another guinea pig as a companion, however, so the pet won’t get lonely. Guinea pigs have a longer life span — around five to seven years — than hamsters do, and they require more time and effort because of their bigger appetite for lots of hay and vegetables. This bigger appetite can make guinea pigs messier than other small mammals, so you might have to clean their cage more frequently as well.

Gerbils

“Gerbils are easy to take care of but not very hands-on,” Dr. Quesenberry says. “They’re fine for kids who don’t want to be that involved.” Unlike hamsters and guinea pigs, gerbils have a relatively short lifespan — about two years. It’s easy to feed gerbils because they have a standard diet similar to that of rats and hamsters: rodent pellets and food blocks, along with some supplemental seed mixes. Gerbils are not usually aggressive, so they can also be held, but they are very fast, so it won’t be easy to hold them for long. This quickness means a lot of activity in the cage, which could pique your child’s curiosity. Gerbils are more sensitive to their environment than other small animals, however, and humidity can give them respiratory and fur problems. If you are concerned that your environment might be too humid for a gerbil, consult a veterinarian.

A rat might not be the first pet on your list, but “they make some of the best pets for small children,” says Dr. Graham. “Rats can be calm, laid-back, not as nippy as other small mammals, and they can be handled a lot.” They make ideal pets if you want your child to develop a strong bond with a pet, because they are interactive and able to learn tricks, such as retrieving objects and navigating mazes or obstacle courses. Since rats enjoy interacting with people and things, providing a number of toys and accessories, from ropes to paper-towel rolls, will keep them happy and occupied. Rats are also easy to care for and require a standard rodent diet of food blocks. However, like gerbils, rats have a short lifespan ranging from two to three years.

Rabbits

These popular pets are good for young children as long as there is also adult supervision. Like guinea pigs, rabbits are good for younger kids because they usually have a very gentle and sociable nature. While larger breeds can be especially gentle, Dr. Quesenberry advises that all rabbits should be spayed or neutered to prevent any aggression (and to prevent uterine cancer in females). This is especially important if you want to keep more than one rabbit in the same space. A rabbit can live from 8 to 12 years, can be litter-trained, and is easy to care for. Dr. Quesenberry notes that a proper diet is very important to ensure the animal’s health and happiness: grass hay, rabbit pellets, and vegetables.

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are a more exotic option for kids who want to watch what their pet does rather than have direct interaction with it. Although they’re gentle, chinchillas can be very agile and quick and may not be appropriate for young children who aren’t able to handle them, Dr. Quesenberry says. They need a diet of chinchilla pellets and hay, with vegetables as a treat. Unlike their small-pet counterparts, chinchillas should be provided with a dust bath instead of a water bath. Buy chinchilla dust (specially formulated to mimic the dust in their native habitat) and place it in a sturdy bowl or deep dish, or purchase a dust house. A chinchilla needs a dust bath two to three times a week, given outside of its cage; the cage should be multilevel so it can climb up and down. With a lifespan of around 12 to 15 years, chinchillas tend to live much longer than guinea pigs and other rodents.

Hedgehogs

These spiny mammals may not make cuddly pets, but they are cute, friendly, and relatively long-lived, with a lifespan of five to seven years. And if hedgehogs are handled while still young, they will grow to be social with your child. A downside is that you might find yourself spending more money caring for them. “Hedgehogs require more care and are prone to more health problems than other small pets,” says Dr. Quesenberry. “They have a higher incidence of disease and sometimes develop oral cancer and get mites, so your vet bills may be a bit higher for a hedgehog.” Hedgehogs also require a different diet containing vegetables and special food with protein because they are omnivores. Sometimes cat food can fulfill the requirement, but you should consult your veterinarian. When considering getting a hedgehog as a pet, make sure to check your local state laws — it’s illegal to own these small mammals in certain states.

Copyright © 2013 Meredith Corporation.

by Jennifer Ridgway

After being without a pet for seven months, we recently decided to adopt a new rescue cat. We had two cats when our twins were born, but Tux passed before they were one, and Padiddle passed earlier this year. Our kids love animals, but I wanted to find books that explained, in kid-friendly language, what having a pet means, how our new cat, Larry, would (and would not) like to be treated, and what it means to take care of him.

If you are looking to adopt a new animal or just want to teach your kids about pets and pet care, below are some books to get you started. And don’t worry, I included animals other than cats!

What Pet Should I Get?

This new addition to the Dr. Seuss library shows how it can be difficult to choose a pet and make decisions. With Seuss’s signature fun rhymes and language, this is perfect for any child. It also includes a note about Seuss’s own pets.

Let’s Get a Pup! Said Kate

After Kate’s cat dies, she convinces her parents to get a dog. Graham’s book celebrates the idea of rescuing an animal and the idea that the pet chooses you, as Kate wants a puppy but falls in love with an older dog.

Sparky!

by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans

While I in no way advocate getting a sloth as a pet, this is a very sweet book about accepting our pets for what they are, rather than what we want them to be.

Dog Training for Kids

by Vanessa Estrada-Marin

As dog-training advocate Vanessa Estrada-Marin writes, “Your loyal buddy is counting on you to teach them how to manage in your world.” What a wonderful way to reframe the concept of pet responsibility, right? This entertaining and accessible guidebook empowers kids to take over training, from the basics of leash manners all the way up to super-fun obstacle courses.

I Found A Kitty!

by Troy Cummings

In this sweet sequel to Can I Be Your Dog?, Arfy happens upon a homeless kitten. Unfortunately, Scamper can’t live at Arfy’s house because Arfy’s person has a cat allergy, so Arfy embarks on another letter-writing campaign to find Scamper’s forever home. Finding the perfect match between pet and household is key — especially for the pet!

Who Wants a Tortoise?

by Dave Keane, illustrated by K. G. Campbell

A little girl who’s wanted a puppy for her whole entire life is gifted with a tortoise instead. For young readers who might be feeling underwhelmed by their pet options, this one proves that even the seemingly dullest pet can surprise you.

Our Very Own Dog

by Amanda McCardie, illustrated by Salvatore Rubbino

Adding a pup to the household is a big addition! With Our Very Own Dog, even the youngest readers can learn what to expect and how to chip in to make Fido feel at home.

Talking Tails

by Ann Love and Jane Drake, illustrated by Bill Slavin

When you welcome a new pet, you’re also welcoming a new and incredible connection. Talking Tails collects stories of real-life pets and their owners — including cats and dogs, rodents and reptiles, and even a parrot who lived to be 126! — and explores the science and heartwarming stories of those relationships.

Looking to add a four-legged member to your family? Consult these additional pet adoption resources for more information:

• The ASPCA, a nonprofit that has been preventing cruelty to animals since 1866, is a fantastic resource for your basic adoption questions. With tips on choosing the right animal and caring for new pets, the organization’s adoption site is a must-read before your family takes the next step.
• Petfinder is an online database of animals that need homes in North America. Families can easily search for all kinds of adoptable critters at shelters by zip code — including dogs, cats, rodents, and amphibians. Just make sure to set aside time to meet them all in person! (If you want to skip the online search and head straight to the shelter, Petfinder has an extensive list of local animal welfare groups here.)
• AdoptAPet is another online pet adoption database that you can cross-reference with Petfinder in the search for available shelter animals.
• More mobile-inclined? Then try WeRescue – Adopt a Pet, an app that connects you with cute pups that need a home. Download the app in the iTunes store here.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020.

Jennifer Ridgway

Jenn recently made the decision to take a break from her publishing career to stay home with her twins full time. She loves sharing the joy of reading with her kids (the first .

Today I have a super fun activity for kids that’s great for all ages – from toddlers all the way to tweens. (If your teen is artistic, you might convince them too!) We’re making pet rocks for kids!

Pet rocks are easy to make and inexpensive, since you can probably find plenty of rocks in your backyard. Here in New Hampshire, we joke that we grow rocks and it’s true. We have so many rocks that no matter how much we may till an area of soil for a garden, there are always more appearing. There’s a reason we’re called the Granite State.

Ideally you’ll want smooth rocks – not jagged and rough. Also you probably don’t want super big rocks that kids may be prone to dropping on their siblings toes. But that’s up to you.

You’ll need acrylic paint and cheap paint brushes in varying sizes. I found an acrylic paint kit with a variety of colors at Walmart for just $12, but you can also get find some online at Amazon ( ) at reasonable prices. Here’s one kit and another that I would have bought if our Walmart didn’t have any. From personal experience, craft stores like Michaels are very expensive when it comes to acrylic paints so I’d avoid that for this simple project, unless you have a great coupon.

Supplies:

(affiliate links)

• 1 or more smooth rocks
• acrylic paint in desired colors
• all-purpose paint brushes in varying sizes
• paper towels or cardboard to contain the paint mess
• googly eyes, optional
• super glue, optional

Set up your children’s work areas by laying down cardboard or paper towels over the table to protect from paint mishaps. Acrylic paint can be removed by scrubbing with water, but it’s much harder to clean up than regular watercolor paints. I also recommend that have your children (especially younger ages) wear old clothes you don’t mind getting ruined with paint. Or use a painter’s apron if you have one.

I liked using cardboard – even something simple like a broken-down cereal box was perfect for my kids to use as their painting area. I squirted a small amount of paint on to the cardboard (safer than giving them access to entire tubes of paint) and they started painting.

This is a great way for younger children to practice fine motor skills as they hold the paint brush. My 5 year old, Joshua, has struggled with holding his pencil properly, but thanks to his awesome kindergarten teachers, he is doing much better now. See how he’s practicing and doesn’t even realize it?

Luke just went to town in painting his rock.

Emily (she’s 8) knew exactly what she wanted to paint – a turtle and a butterfly. Later, she went on to make pet rocks for everyone in the family!

Nathan is the artist in our family, and at age 12, he came up with some pretty nice ideas for pet rocks. His first creation was a rainbow rock.

His next creation was a bumble bee and a Minion! Emily loved the idea and made two of her own minions. I think they both did a great job, especially considering they didn’t copy a picture – this was all from memory!

I explained to the kids how their pet rock paintings would turn out nicer if they waited for the paint to dry between layers or different colors, but kids don’t like to wait. That’s why some of the colors ran together a little. So a lesson in patience too!

Pet rocks are so much fun because the possibilities are limited only by you and your kids’ imaginations. You can paint a rock all one color and super glue a couple googly eyes on it. Or get artistic and paint an animal or favorite character, like the Minions.

(One small warning – be aware of the googly eyes and small children who may put things in their mouths. The super glue does a good job of keeping the eyes stuck on, but we’ve still had a couple stubborn googlies pop off.)

I surprised myself by enjoying this fun activity just as much as my kids. I made a couple pet rocks and later, my sister joined us and painted a hamster.

My kids spent a couple hours painting their pet rocks. Even I was surprised at just how much fun they had. With a literally unlimited supply of rocks, the only thing stopping them from painting more than they did was me. (Mean ol’ mom did eventually make them clean up, finish chores, and head to bed on time.)

Luke was very proud of his work. He was not so happy when I scrubbed him down later though!

The next day, all three kids proudly brought their pet rocks in to school to show their teachers and friends. And at home later, they spent another hour or so playing with their pet rocks. If I had realized just how much fun this activity for kids is, we would have made pet rocks a long time ago!

Hint: pet rocks can be a great homemade gift from your children too! Think about Father’s Day that’s fast approaching. Or even just an every day I-love-you gift for Grandma.

Looking for more fun activities for kids?

Every day when Elena came home from school, her cat Tomaso would run to greet her. Then Elena would pick up Tomaso and give the cat a hug. One day, though, Elena came home and her cat wasn’t there. Her mom told her that Tomaso had died.

Millions of people across the world own pets. Maybe you have a pet, and maybe some of your friends do too. A pet can be a special friend, and you might think of him or her as a member of the family. A pet can play with you or just be with you when you don’t feel like talking.

What Happens When a Pet Dies?

Unfortunately, pets can’t stay with us forever. Like all living things, they will die at some point. Sometimes a pet dies from old age because its body has worn out. Sometimes a pet dies from an accident. Sometimes a pet gets too sick to live. Even when an animal doctor (a veterinarian, or vet) helps, there are some problems that just can’t be fixed.

If your pet is in a lot of pain and will never get better, your parents and the vet may decide that the animal should be allowed to die. To make it go more quickly and without pain, the vet can give the pet some medicine that will help it die. The animal gets a special kind of injection (shot) that allows it to die peacefully. Deciding to help a pet die is a hard thing to do.

Why Am I Feeling Like This?

It’s sad when a pet dies. For a while, though, you may not feel anything at all. That’s OK. Or you may feel like crying and that’s OK, too. You may feel lonely because your pet was your friend. You might even feel mad at the vet for not being able to make your pet better. Maybe you feel guilty when you remember one time when you were mean to your pet.

To some kids, it may seem like no one understands what they are feeling.

Talk It Out

Elena decided to talk with her parents about how she was feeling. She wanted to ask about some things she didn’t understand, like where Tomaso went after death. Elena’s parents answered her questions the best they could. Death is a mystery, and people have different beliefs about what happens after an animal or person dies.

Elena’s parents told her about the pets they used to have when they were kids and how it was difficult to say goodbye. They told her that it’s OK to be sad when animals die and it’s not silly at all. At first, it can be hard to talk about the pet you’re missing. You might want to forget about everything instead. But talking with someone you love is the best way to help you start to feel better.

What Comes Next?

When a pet dies, you and your family may want to find special ways to remember your pet. It can be a big help to share a sad thing with people you love. You might have a ceremony to bury your pet or just share memories of fun times you had together. You might want to tell stories or write a poem. You could do a project too, like making a scrapbook.

There are many ways you can hold on to your happy memories. And you can always love your pet. A new animal can’t replace your old pet. But someday the time may be right for you and your family to adopt a new animal for everyone to love.

Because we all secretly want to give in, right?

Fido can be much more than a companion for your little one.

Photo: Getty Images

Dogs are affectionate animals that have a positive impact on children. A dog is a compassionate friend, an entertainer, a protector and a teacher. Every kid dreams of having a dog as a pet.

However, many of us think of them as smelly, hair-shedding creatures that poop everywhere and bring dirt inside the house. Some people also perceive them as a menace and a source of various diseases and allergies—which is why some parents avoid having a dog at home.

Here are seven doggone good reasons to buy or adopt a dog for your kids:

1. They Are a True Friend

A dog’s companionship helps prevent depression and loneliness. “Current literature reflects the well-documented effects of human-dog interaction, with benefits specifically related to anxiety, depression and coping with stress,” Dr. Danielle Forshee, Psy.D, a psychologist and licensed clinical social worker, told Bustle. Dogs are always there as an ever-willing play-buddy when your kid needs them. Kids can play with them when their neighborhood friends are busy or away from their house and when it’s too late, or when the weather outside is not pleasant.

A dog is a best friend who won’t go away, won’t hit, won’t yell, and won’t fight. And a dog is a great companion when kids are sad, angry, stressed or nervous. They feel wanted and loved in the company of a dog. They are also a trusted friend with whom your child can share anything without being judged.

2. They Help You Maintain Good Health

Dog ownership is connected to good health. Dogs love to play, chase and run, and your kids will love to join along. According to a recent study, dog owners are more active than people without dogs.

Kids can also practice motor skills by feeding and grooming their dog. And regular walks with a dog will not only keep your kids away from computer screen, but help them enjoy frequent exercise and fresh air. (However, parental supervision is recommended for the safety of everyone.)

Not to mention, a dog can help your kids develop a stronger immune system and prevent sickness. Kids who grow up around dogs are less prone to allergies and asthma than those who grow up without a dog.

3. They Protect Kids

A dog always stays by the side of your kids and protects them when you are not around. It can protect them against bullying children and prevent them from getting involved in a violent brawl with other kids.

Apart from this, a dog can also alert you for threatening allergens inside your home. Paul Waggoner, a scientist at Auburn University’s Canine Detection Research Institute told The Wall Street Journal that, in terms of teaching your dog to detect substances of any kind, “the basic principles and training methods are the same.” This behavior can be life saving for hypo-allergic kids.

4. They Help Kids Develop Skills

By spending time with a dog, your kids will become better caretakers, and learn responsibility. But that’s not all.

Taking care of a dog is like their favorite game. They will learn leadership skills and will understand how it feels to be in charge.

A 2017 study also found that pet ownership may help children engage more meaningfully with learning. Kids can also improve their reading skills by reading aloud to their furry friend. A dog will be a kind listener who won’t interrupt your children while reading and won’t criticize them for their mistakes. Thus your little one can effectively improve the fluency of her speech and reduce her stage fright.

Dogs are also great for building social skills. While your kids are out for a walk with their companion, they can make new friends and interact with other pet owners. Also, a dog can teach essential values, like kindness and trustworthiness. That promotes social development too.

In addition, dog grooming will cultivate their creativity. (Yes, really!) Stylish accessories will not only enhance the look of your pampered pooch, but also encourage your kids to take care of it.

5. They Promote Emotional Development

Kids feel wanted and loved in the company of a dog, and a common love for a pet can also improve the bond between siblings. The same 2017 study from above suggests that pet ownership may be beneficial for kids’ self-esteem. By participating in pet-oriented tasks, your kids can develop self-confidence, self-esteem, a sense of responsibility and commitment.

6. They Reduce Anxiety

Some dog breeds reduce anxiety and offer comfort to your child. A cuddle or a playful interaction with a dog stimulates a hormone called oxytocin and soothes the anxiety system. A little one with an anxiety-free mind can perform any task in a better way.

7. They Help Kids Manage Behavioral Problems

A dog also helps to treat behavioral problems in kids. Playing with a dog can calm an overly aggressive and hyperactive kid. Dogs have been shown to be especially helpful for children with special needs.

But mostly, growing up becomes fun with a dog. Make a life-changing decision—get a dog for your kid.

Downstairs in my house right now, there is a shelter cat having its first fifteen minutes of life in my home. This is the first pet I’ve had in six years — and I’ve been longing for it every second of that time, including the periods apparently spent sleeping, eating, or doing anything other than repeating IwantapetIwantapetIwantapet under my breath. There’s nothing like that longing; whether it’s because you once had pets and now can’t, or just love animals and fantasize about owning one, you never really get over it until the next fluff monster takes up residence and eats your socks. So what can you do if you’re desperate for a pet but genuinely can’t have one, for reasons of expense or living situations? I am an expert. Let me guide you.

There are ways to cope with an animal-less life that don’t include running up to dogs in parks and attempting to steal them. (Pro tip: doesn’t work.) Instead of lingering creepily while petting the animals of strangers, make time and space in your life for animals you can help, if not necessarily have. I’m including options here for the die-hard animal lovers who’ll even express affection to a pangolin. (I’m one of those. I once tried very hard to get a cuddle from echidna. Luckily I was unsuccessful.) Whether you’re strictly dog-and-cat or more intent on the exotics, there’s a way for you to get your pet fill without needing to shell out for microchips and vet bills.

As for the new cat? She’s currently lying on my feet demanding cuddles. I think this is going to be a very beautiful friendship.

1. Stop Torturing Yourself With Adoption Possibilities

Get off the adoption websites. Do it. Right now. If you can’t offer an animal a good life at the moment, stop giving yourself opportunities to mourn about animals that you’d absolutely adore but can’t take home. I know you have your future pets bookmarked, but please stop putting yourself through repeated devastation when they’re taken by somebody else. Let’s find better outlets for that love and energy that don’t cause you to have a crying fit when Mr. Whimples is adopted by a couple in Indiana, yeah?

2. Connect With A Famous Animal Online

How did people ever cope with petlessness before the Internet?! You probably already spend hours on ICanHazCheezburger and other sources of pet-related fun, staring at other peoples’ Instagrams and sighing wistfully. But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Find a daily tracker on one particular pet or litter — breeders now often have 24-hour cameras on litters as they grow, and you can feel a special connection to their life arc and privileged access to their everyday experiences. It’s not quite the same, but hey, it’s something.

3. Explore Your Petsitter Options

One of the best possible methods of temporary pet-ownership is to sign yourself up to an organization that provides pet sitters. Trusted House Sitters is one of the most famous — members are rated, recommended, and paid to stay in a family’s house while they’re away, often with animal friends included. You have to be willing to travel, fit in with other peoples’ schedules, and recognize that these aren’t actually your animals, but it’s a pretty great gig.

4. Volunteer At Animal Shelters & Humane Societies

This is one of the quickest ways to sate the desperate need for a fluffy friend in your life. Animal shelters and rescue centers often desperately need volunteers who won’t mind socializing animals, helping with training, sorting out fostering, feeding and cleaning, and generally being owners to dozens of animals at once. (Dog groomers and walkers are always in demand, so make it clear if you don’t mind getting wet or run off your feet by an over-excited Great Dane. ) You’ll likely also learn a lot about animal behavior and how to help damaged animals. Win-win.

5. Offer To Help With Friends’ Animals

Sometimes the hardest bit of pet-singledom is having friends who’ve already found their dream Fido or Spot and settled down. Well, find ways to be a threesome. Intrude — but politely.

If they call for a sitter or somebody to help out with walking or a trip to the vet, volunteer. Take over treats whenever you visit (running it by them first in case of dietary restrictions). Don’t talk to the animal instead of the friend or visit explicitly just to see it — that’s a good way to get deleted from phone contacts — and know that you aren’t the owner, but make it clear that you adore their animal and they’ll probably trust you to help them out.

6. Volunteer At A Sanctuary Or Zoo

Zoos and sanctuaries have different volunteering opportunities than shelters. While places like the ASPCA will mostly deal with house pets, zoos offer a far wider range — but they also have a heap of qualified staff to deal with them personally, so you’ll spend much more time talking about animals to visitors than giving tortoises cuddles. But you’ll likely also get to assist with animal care and feeding, particularly if the zoo includes a petting zoo, where animals need to be cleaned and handled.

7. Go Abroad With Animal Conservation

If you want to sate your lust for animal ownership and have free time and cash, why not do some good in the world? Do some volunteer work overseas with animal conservationists in other countries. The work will likely be physical and may be in poor conditions, but you may get up close and personal to some spectacular animals and help their future. Warning: not for those who genuinely think they could adopt a baby elephant. You can’t get too attached, particularly to wild animals.

8. Go Wildlife Spotting

If you’re a general animal lover, the idea of a pet-less life may seem barren beyond belief, but you’d be surprised at how much wildlife exists in your area or nearby. Get yourself to your nearest national park, enroll in a local wildlife tour, or just go out into parks and commons on quiet days; you may be very surprised at how much life you see.

9. Scope Out Pet Championship Shows

Trust me, even if you’re not into the idea of pedigree, there’s nothing more fulfilling for pet-lovers than seeing some of the finest examples of your chosen breed around the world strutting their stuff for Best In Show. Shows are open to the public with tickets; go along with binoculars, a show guide, and a like-minded friend who can coo and make judgements with you. (“Oooh, that basset hound is gorgeous, but he totally just farted on the judge.”)

Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Millipedes as Pets

George Chernilevsky/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 4.0

• B.A., Political Science, Rutgers University

If you’ve never cared for an arthropod pet before, a millipede is a good first choice. Millipedes are herbivorous, so they are easy and inexpensive to feed. They’re fairly low maintenance pets and can be handled even by young children, with supervision, of course.

Many pet stores sell African giant millipedes, which grow to 10 inches or more in length. You can also try keeping millipedes you collect in the wild, but keep in mind that brightly colored millipedes usually secrete hydrogen cyanide, which can cause an unpleasant burning sensation on sensitive skin.

Things You Should Know About Keeping Pet Millipedes

Before bringing home any live animal, it’s important to know what to expect. Does a millipede require a lot of care? Can you keep more than one in the same enclosure? Do they bite or sting? Though pet millipedes are a good choice in most circumstances, you should weigh the pros and cons of keeping them before you bring one home.

Choosing a Millipede at the Pet Store

As with any pet, it’s important to choose a healthy individual. In general, millipedes have few health issues, and you’re unlikely to find sickly millipedes at your local pet store. Still, it’s good to know how to recognize an unhealthy millipede before you make a purchase, so you can avoid problems once you bring one home.

Housing Your Pet Millipede

The key to caring for millipedes successfully is to provide them with the appropriate habitat. Millipedes require ample floor space, while the height of the terrarium is less important. You can use a number of different materials for the substrate. An appropriate water source for your millipede is important as well.

Maintaining the Proper Environment for Your Pet Millipede

Most large millipedes you can purchase from pet stores or science catalogs come from the tropics. They require a higher temperature and humidity level than other arthropods commonly kept as pets. All pet millipedes need adequate moisture, which means you must use a proper substrate and mist the terrarium regularly.

Feeding Your Pet Millipede

The herbivorous millipede will happily munch on almost any fruit or vegetable you offer, although they do have favorites. They also require calcium in their diets in order to molt and grow properly. You’ll need to know how to prepare their food, how to supplement their diet with calcium, and how often to feed them.

Handling Your Pet Millipede

Even a millipede can feel nervous! You should always strive to keep your millipede feeling secure and comfortable, even when you are handling it. It’s also important to know how millipedes defend themselves, in the event your pet millipede does feel threatened in your hands.

Courtesy of: Murray I. via Flickr

Many people say that getting a dog is like having another child (okay, I’ve said that a lot). It is true that, of all the pets you could get for your child, dogs probably carry with them the biggest responsibility in terms of daily care, attention and maintenance. However, they also have the highest potential of teaching your kids valuable lessons about unconditional love, loyalty and commitment.

Back to the responsibility part, though.

As much as you may think that you’re getting a dog for your child, you should recognize and acknowledge that, you as the parent, are the main caregiver for the dog. This, of course, is not to say that your child should not take on some share of responsibility for the dog.

Before you consider getting any kind of pet, though, there’s some important prep work that you should probably do to make sure your child understands that caring for the animal is a family effort:

Things You Should Do Before You Get a Pet

Even though getting a dog may be a foregone inevitability in your household, it’s a good idea to assess your child’s readiness for caring for a pet. Of course, assigning certain responsibilities to your child depends on his age and level of ability. Even so, very young children (between the ages of 4 and 6) should be able to learn the basics of attending to your pet’s needs.

If your child is good at picking up his toys and easily follows simple instructions, you can list or draw pictures of the tasks that need to be done on a daily basis, such as walking, brushing and feeding. Put the list in an area of the house that the child frequents on a daily basis and let him know that you’ll expect him to complete (or help with) the items on the list. For more easily distracted, or less responsive kids, you’ll probably want to skip the list and just have him do the tasks with you everyday.

Look for opportunities to have your children interact with pets. Show kids how to approach pets safely and how to treat them respectfully. Young children may make the mistake of treating pets like toys, which could lead to retaliation in the form of biting or bad behavior from the pet. Keep this danger firmly in mind when you’re out and about petting various animals. Most pets you encounter on the street are probably harmless, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

As for domesticating your pet and helping him get acclimated to his new surroundings, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a trainer. If you don’t have the experience or time to train your pet to listen and follow basic commands, a trainer can assist you with creating a safe environment in which your child and your pet can acquaint themselves with one another.

What Type of Pet Should You Get?

The type of pet you get should be based on your particular family situation and your child’s personality. Parents.com has a great article that lists kids’ various personality types and what kinds of pets might work best for each one.

If you decide to get a dog, The Association of Professional Dog Trainers recommends getting a large dog if you have toddlers. Large breeds, such as Retrievers and Mastiffs are generally more easygoing and less likely to get accidentally trampled on by over-active little feet.

How to Teach Your Child to Care for the Pet

Although you want to teach your kids about the family’s shared responsibility for the pet, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends not giving your child too much responsibility too soon. Until you can be sure that they know what they are doing and can handle certain tasks on their own, always supervise children when they are caring for the pet’s needs.

Also, kids learn best by watching what you do, much more than what you say. Model showing love, affection and responsibility towards your pet and chances are that your child will do the same.

Lastly, Provide a “safe” area for the pet to go to if he’s feeling overwhelmed by the kids. Let the children know that when the dog is in his private area, they should leave him alone, until he’s ready to play again.