Are You Ready for Your Child's Pet?

Many children crave an animal companion of their very own '" even when their family already owns one or more pets. There are times when having a pet can be beneficial to a child, and the pets as well benefit from the love a child has to give. But not all kids are cut out to be full time pet owners, and chances are if you give in to your child's request for a pet, you are going to be the one caring for it -- at least some of the time.

Before you give the green light, you will have to consider what you can handle, as well as what your child wants. Having fish means more than a little sprinkle of fish food and a "Goodnight, Mr. Fish" at the end of the day. Fish tanks require regular cleaning, chemical levels, and heating levels needs to be maintained, and it can actually be a lot to keep track of. Although there are no disposable pets, a fish may be as close as you get as beginners usually don't manage to keep their fish alive long.

Rodents are popular choices; hamsters, rats, and guinea pigs all grace the bedrooms of children, mostly all tucked away in their cages. If you are someone who hears the word "rodent" and scans the room for the tallest table to climb on, this might not be the best choice. Also, while these animals are small, they will cost you in supplies such as food, hay, and cage bedding.

It's also important to remember that just because a pet fits in your child's room, it doesn't mean he will fit in with your child's life. Hamsters are nocturnal and may keep your child up at night. They might not like being handled, and may also bite. Guinea pigs are somewhat more social, and will tolerate being held and picked up by a gentle child. They do live up to seven years, and are not college friendly, so you will want to consider if you'll be up to taking over custody when your child moves out. Rats only live three years, but do carry some stigma. They may be a good choice if you can get past that, however they are more likely to be escape artists and they can be hard to catch.

Of course there are always dogs and cats, which may or may not be an option depending on where you live, and they will also eat away at your budget with food, supplies, and vet bills. Both of these choices truly are a long term commitment. Dogs can live around fifteen years in many cases, and cats near twenty. Both dogs and cats will pick their favorite human and will ultimately be family pets no matter who is assigned to their care. It may help to adopt an older pet from a shelter or rescue group that will both shorten the length of commitment for that pet, and give an animal a much needed home he may not find otherwise.