By: Song E.
It can be beneficial for kids to grow up with a pet, but how do you know what kind of pet to choose? Many parents worry about their kids being harmed by an animal or vise versa; creating a “dangerous environment” in the house. But don’t fret! Animals are great to have around kids, and they can bring families together. There are many pets your family can adopt without worrying too much.
Cats
They’re cute and lovable and they take care of themselves. Most cats with a good temperament are gentle with kids and they can be a great companion for them. Also, when small kids start to become older, cleaning the litter box and feeding the cat can help teach the kids how to be responsible. In addition to this, you won’t have to worry about supervising the cat all the time because they take care of themselves––you probably already have enough on your hands with the little one.
Dogs
Dogs make great companions for kids. They’re great friends open up to without judgment. I loved playing with dogs when I was younger––just running around in the yard could keep me occupied for hours (this is also great when you want a break!). One concern parents have is the safety of having a dog and whether or not their kids will get hurt. This brings up the big question: which dog should I get?
When choosing a certain breed, you should consider dogs that are sturdy, intelligent, energetic, and especially friendly. You don’t want dogs that are fragile because toddlers aren’t always careful and you don’t want them to get hurt. Intelligence is important so that dogs take orders so that they know what is and is not okay to do around the kids. Active dogs are a plus because kids will get to play with them opposed to annoying them. These are some dog breeds that have some, or maybe all, of these characteristics:
American Water Spaniel, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bernese Mountain Dog, Boston Terrier, Brittany, Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Collie, Curly-Coated Retriever, Irish Setter, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, New Foundland, Poodle.
Fish
Sure, fish don’t do much, but they’re still great pets! I don’t know why, but I adored the fish we had when I was a kid. I remember begging my mom if I could feed our goldfish then watching them nibble at the little flakes floating on top of the water; and we’d watch them together.
It’s great responsibility in simply feeding them and cleaning their tank once in a while.
Rabbits
They’re actually pretty sociable animals and can still play as long as they are handled with care. Rabbits are big enough to be handled by small kids without worrying too much. Also, they can be litter box trained!
Guinea Pigs
Again, these animals are small and kids should often be supervised while handling them. This is also a great animal to have as kids get older in terms of gaining responsibility.
Ant Farm
Probably not what you were expecting, huh? Having an ant farm can be interesting to watch as they make new trails that are clearly visible every day. They don’t require much attention or care, and you can have your kids trace the new trails every day!
How did your family decide which pet to choose?
