Returning User? Login Here | Bookmark this site | Contests | Sitemap


Web GreatDad.com

Favorites

Tell a Friend

Subscribe via RSS

Enter your email

RSS Feed

XML Sitemap

greatdad/sitemap

Age Groups > General > General Advice

Picking the right pet for your child: Don't mess it up!

Be the first to rate this article:

By GreatDad Writers

Print

Picking the right pet for your child: Don

Some of the most rewarding social dynamics in a family are between children and their animals. We've all seen the kids' movies where the girl has a lovable cat and the boys have adventurous dogs and the animals all get lost in the wilderness but they find their way back home by working together. It's all very heartwarming.

Chances are, the first time your son or daughter see a movie like that, you're going to hear a barrage of pleading and begging. When the question comes, you should have an answer: "Yes."

Banfield Pet Hospital of Portland, Oregon, has graciously offered a few tips on deciding which pet to get. They recommend asking yourself a few questions before making the final decision.

First, how much time will you have to work with your child on caring for the pet? Some pets like dogs and cats require a fair amount of work to keep healthy and happy. For younger children, animals that are easier to care for like goldfish or hamsters may be a better choice. If your child can't take care of himself, he probably can't take care of a larger animal.

Secondly, how much space do you have? If you live in an apartment, you generally want to opt for a smaller dog or cat, rather than a large breed dog. Take noise into account as you don't want to annoy your neighbors. If you're thinking about getting an amphibian, reptile or other exotic animal, get professional advice as some of these can carry dangerous diseases.

Midsize or large non-aggressive dogs are the best canine choice for children. Avoid dogs traditionally bred to hunt small mammals, as you don't want your child to be mistaken for game. A large dog will be less likely to see your child as competition, and will more likely assuming a protective or caring role.

No matter what your choice, realize that in most cases, you will ultimately be responsible for the health of the animal, so make sure you pick a pet that you are comfortable warming up to.

Subscribe to the pregnancy newsletter or 4-8 year olds newsletter.

Email this | Print

Login with Facebook

Post a Comment


First Name:
City:
Email Address:
Comments:	Total Words: (400 words*)
	Enter the characters you see in the image. They are case sensitive.

Shopping

Article List

	Child-friendly tips for your first family road trip
	Preparing for spring softball and baseball season
	Make an excuse to get to the park this spring
	Alternative punishments to grounding your kids
	Three recess activities that encourage kids to burn calories
	Want a happier wife? Be a better husband
	Playground safety tips to consider
	Struggling middle schooler? Study tips for a better second half of the school year
	Tips for leaving the kids home alone
	Exposing pregnancy myths
	Three reasons why storytime is important for kids
	Fun kids craft projects for Thanksgiving
	How to start chores for kids

All section articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

Forum Topics

Marshall, MI (Weekend Journeys)Tiny Marshall, Michigan, has Posts: 0 Views: 1 Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how Posts: 0 Views: 1 The Epic 4G is quite diverse from final year's failed Samsun Posts: 0 Views: 2 Acquaint of Effectively Posts: 0 Views: 14 Fine with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to Posts: 0 Views: 3

More Forum

Local Guides

All Guides
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
DC
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming