Guide For Parenting

So you’ve given in to all of the requests for a family pet. That’s alright, having a pet can teach children responsibilities that would otherwise go unlearned. Pet’s will depend on your child for food and water and your child will come to depend on the family pet when they need comfort from someone besides you.

Think about the area you live in and what type of pet would fit in best with your family and surroundings. If you live in an apartment building, you wouldn’t want to go out and buy a big dog like a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard. You might be better suited with a hamster or an iguana, possibly a cat if your apartment manager allows one.

Take into consideration the cost a new family pet will be. Not just the initial purchase of the pet, but think of what the pet will cost you later down the road, including food and bedding, veterinarian bills, and any other ongoing cost associated with your new pet. Obviously a big dog will require a bigger food budget than a hamster or a fish would.

Think about the time you will be able to spend with an animal, and remember that dogs and cats require more attention than a small caged animal will. Fish require only monthly maintenance of the tank and a daily feeding, so if you are in an apartment, a fish will work good for you. Puppies and kittens require time to house break them so that they don’t soil all over you house, so they will require even more upfront attention when you bring them into your home.

Here is a list of pets that you could make a part of your family:

Bird
Fish
Cat
Dog
Hamster
Guinea Pig
Mouse or other rodents
Chinchilla
Snake
Iguana
Salamander
Other small reptiles
Rabbit
Please take into consideration the things we mentioned before when deciding which one is right for you and your family.

Filed under: Life at Home