Page 18 - Demo

18 alaska parent spring 2024 AlaskaParent.comFew things are as exciting to kids as having their own pet, and it has its benefits too: Research shows that having pets make kids more compassionate and teaches them important lessons about care and concern for others. But how do you choose the right pet for your kids? Experts advise parents to consider the following seven factors: Your kids’ level of maturityHaving a pet makes kids more mature, but your kids need to have achieved a certain level of maturity in the first place before they’re ready to take care of one. Nicole Larocco-Skeehan, an expert on animal behavior and training, says that kids aren’t ready for pet ownership before they have learned to follow directions, since one of the main elements of being a pet owner is teaching pets how to follow directions. Pediatrician Dr. Hannah King adds that one of the most telling signs that your kids are ready for a pet is that they complete household chores willingly and without any fuss. “If it’s a constant fight to get your child to do a chore,” Hannah says, “it’s likely going to be similar when you’re trying to get them to walk the dog in the rain or when they’re in the middle of a video game.” Typically, kids will have achieved the necessary level of maturity to take care of a pet by the time they turn 6 years old. Pets for younger versus older kids: Guinea pigs are a great choice for younger, less mature kids. They’re in the same family as hamsters, but are gentler and less likely to bite. Dogs are a great choice if your kids are older and more mature. They are generally high maintenance and require daily feeding, walking, and attention as well as regular baths and visits to the veterinarian. Your family’s daily scheduleAlso consider your family’s daily schedule. “If your family has a jam-packed schedule,” Nicole says, “you may want to think about getting an adult animal that’s easier to take care of and requires less of a time commitment.” The truth is that even though your kids may promise to take responsibility for the pet, you and your spouse will inevitably be quite involved in its care. As Hannah puts it, “Regardless of a child's age, parents must understand that this is a family pet and ultimately the pet is their responsibility.” Pets that require little vs. lots of care: Bearded dragons are great for families with busy schedules as they’re super mellow and only require little care. However, they do eat live bugs, so you’ll have to make trips to your local pet store for their food. Cats require less attention than dogs but still need to be fed and cared for on a daily basis. The pet’s lifespan The lifespan of pets vary widely and therefore your family’s commitment to it. “Depending on the age of your child,” says veterinary technician Saleema Lookman, “you may be responsible for the pet’s care if they become bored with the pet or leave the house.” Before you select a pet for kids, consider whether you’re ready to continue to take care of the pet once your kids are off to college, or whether you want a pet that’ll only be around for part of their childhood and adolescence. Pets with short versus long lifespans: Hamsters are cute but only live on average 1.5-3 years. Turtles, on the other hand, can easily live 20-30 years in captivity – some much longer. The cost of pet care When people buy pets, they often consider the upfront costs but forget to factor in the costs of upkeep. That’s a big mistake as the costs of pet care vary widely and can include, in addition to food, regular check-ups at the vet as well as emergency care. “Be prepared to spend money on the pet,” says Nicole, “and don’t select a pet you don’t think you can afford to maintain and take care of.” Pets that are inexpensive versus expensive to take care of: Parakeets are not only inexpensive to buy, they’re inexpensive to take care of. In fact, you can feed them leftover fruits and vegetables from the refrigerator. Rabbits, on the other hand, can cost their owners between $600 and $1,100 per year. MyHouseRabbit.com estimates you'll be spending around $85 a month on your rabbit essentials: litter, hay, pellets, and fresh vegetables.Choosing the Right Petfor your KidsBy Tanni Haas, Ph.D.