Make sure your child is ready for a pet. These are the signs that they are mature enough to take care of one properly.
Every year, over 6.5 million animals are taken into shelters in the US alone, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A significant proportion of that number is composed of purchased or adopted pets but eventually wound up in a shelter for one reason or another.
One reason is that some parents get a pet for their child when they ask for one, only to surrender the pet to a shelter when the family can’t take care of it. The fact is, much like moving abroad for adults, taking care of their first pet is a big step for kids and requires that they reach certain milestones of growth first.
There Aren’t Any Safety Concerns
Younger children are always more at risk when there’s a pet at home, even with parental supervision. For example, a dog may be inclined to play a bit rough, which is very likely to lead to injury for kids younger than five years.
And if it isn’t the child who is at risk, it’s the pet. A very young child may not have the understanding or motor skills to handle a pet properly. This isn’t that much of a problem for your average dog which you can now have at home part time thanks to the Dog Daycare Bonita Springs.
Moreover, there’s also the possibility of your child turning out to be allergic to the pet you chose. If any of these apply, your kid might not be ready for a pet just yet.
Your Child is Mature Enough
Physical, intellectual, and emotional maturity is perhaps the most pivotal factors to whether or not a child is ready to take care of a pet. As their guardian, you’ll certainly be the one to do most of the heavy lifting. But maturity is the clearest indicator that the child will be able to handle and learn from the experience.
How far they’ve come along in terms of empathy, problem-solving, physical strength and motor skills are the things you need to observe. Psychologists disagree on when a child first develops empathy, but the average opinion places that age at around 6 years old.
A blog on https://www.tortoiseowner.com/ talks about how children can show empathy at an earlier age, however. For instance, a good way to check is by asking them about what they know about hamsters food and care, or whatever pet your child wants. Regardless of how inaccurate or vague their answers may be, look out for how they address the matters of physical health, socialization, belonging, and overall happiness, as well as the basic needs of the pet they want.
Your Child Shows Genuine Interest in Caring for a Pet
Another crucial sign to look for is whether your child shows actual interest in taking on a pet as a lifestyle choice and not just a whim. This is perhaps the clearest indicator that your child is committed to the idea and the responsibilities that come with it.
The key thing here is whether they’re consistent with discussing the topic of caring for a pet. Curiosity about the details surrounding pets and the act of caring for them is also crucial. If they’re focusing too much on the idea of owning a pet rather than the day-to-day realities of it, they’re most likely not ready for a pet.
Kids grow up at different rates. A child who can competently look after a pet at a young age can be said to be growing up quickly. But you should never use a pet to nudge or force a child into maturing. Instead, be on the lookout for these signs, so you’ll know that your child is ready to take on the responsibilities of being a pet owner.
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