Thinking About Getting a Pet for Your Kids?

Prepping Children for the Responsibility of Pets

“Mom, PLEASE? The sign said the kittens are FREE!” It’s not uncommon for children to have trouble understanding the responsibility of owning a pet. Here are some ways to set limits and help children understand that even if the sign says “FREE,” having pets is a big job that comes with a pretty substantial price tag.

Discuss the Costs

If your children are old enough to have money of their own – from allowances, birthday gifts, etc. – you should sit down with them and discuss how much it costs to own a pet.

Start with the big expenses, like bills for the veterinarian. Vaccines alone can add up to hundreds of dollars. Add to that the cost of spaying or neutering a pet, and your child will see that the cost of that free kitten is probably far beyond what she has to spend.

After that, discuss the monthly expenses, like food. For some children, the monthly expenses alone will wipe out their available cash.

Discuss the Responsibilities

Just like adults, kids often forget there is a lot of work involved in owning a pet. Set up a sample chore chart of what would need to be done each day if you were to get a pet. If you are considering getting a dog, figure in the amount of time it takes to walk a dog each day, and the amount of time it takes to clean up any messes a dog might make.

Start Small

If you decide, after your child has reviewed the responsibilities of pet ownership, to go ahead and get a new furry family member, consider starting small. Instead of going for that free kitten or adopting a dog from the shelter, consider a smaller pet, like a gerbil or hamster. While there are still expenses and responsibilities with these smaller pets, ownership can be just as enjoyable and far more manageable for children.

Go to the Shelter

If you decide to take the plunge and get a cat or dog, consider adopting one from a shelter. Many of a pets’ veterinary needs are attended to before pets are adopted out from a shelter. The adoption fee is generally far less than that of a spay or neuter alone. Adopting from a shelter can also give you insight into the pet’s personality and whether it would be a good fit for your family.

Before you adopt or purchase a pet for your child, be sure your child is ready for the expense and responsibility of taking care of another family member. After all, you want your child’s first experience with pet-ownership to be wonderful!