by: Graham Johns
Little kids see them everywhere... in the
neighborhood, on play dates with friends, in
pre-school, and in mall pet shops. Puppies, kittens,
guinea pigs, hamsters, fish, birds, rabbits, gerbils
- there's an unlimited supply of animal companions
for children and adults alike. Eventually your
toddler is going to utter those dreaded words,
"Daddy, can I have ..." Then you'll have a difficult
decision to make: is your child ready to have a pet?
Child development experts have long believed that
children should have exposure to household pet
companions. Having a pet has many advantages:
- Pets teach children about the existence of other
living creatures first-hand rather than on
television.
- Pets help children understand nature's ways and
the authentic natural world rather than animated
cartoons where all the animals, predators and prey,
get along famously. Nice, but it teaches a false
perception of the ways of the animal kingdom.
Perhaps your toddler is not ready to watch the
National Geographic channel where predators
mercilessly run down their prey and eat them alive.
But the misconceptions of movies such as "The Lion
King" don't prepare your child for the real cycle of
life.
- Owning and caring for a pet teaches your child
responsibility and accountability. Fish die when
they aren't fed. Hamsters squeal in pain if they're
squeezed. Puppies have housebreaking accidents that
need to be cleaned up. Animals aren't like stuffed
Teddy bears; they need food, water, veterinary care,
and a clean environment.
- Pets die. Children often have their first brush
with death and grief when a beloved pet dies or must
be euthanized. Understanding a pet's death is a
dress rehearsal for the death of Grandmother or
Uncle Bob. Coping with death is an important part of
a child's socialization.
- Having a pet teaches toddlers the essential skill
of empathy with other people and with animals. At
this age, children should be developing a sense of
compassion and emotional intimacy with others. This
is how they learn to make friends and to avoid doing
things that hurt others. Caring for a pet is the
perfect opportunity for toddlers to learn kindness
and tolerance.
- Pets are a lot of fun! Toddlers are endlessly
fascinated watching hamsters run on their wheel, the
crazy antics of ferrets, the playfulness of puppies
and kittens, the graceful movements of goldfish, and
the chattering of birds. Having a pet is not only
great fun, but pets also provide valuable knowledge
about the way real-life animals function in the
world. With puppies, they find the only
unconditional source of love in their lives.
If you think your toddler is ready to care for a
pet, first consider what kind of pet is appropriate
for your child's age, degree of understanding how to
care for the pet, and the child's comprehension that
these are living creatures that need daily care. For
example, it would not be appropriate for a toddler
to care for a large hookbill parrot such as a Macaw
or African Grey. These talkative birds live a human
lifespan, require special care, and have
unpredictable natures; they can snap off a curious
child's finger in seconds! These birds are pets for
adults, not children. If you feel your child is
ready for a puppy, remember that the puppy will grow
into a full-sized dog. Dogs known for aggressive
temperaments such as American Pit Bull Terriers,
Rotweilers, Chows, and Akitas aren't good choices
for a toddler. Good-natured dogs like Labradors,
Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, Poodles, and spaniels
are a much better choice.
Not ready for puppies and kittens? Fish, guinea pigs
and hamsters make outstanding first pets. Children
learn to feed them, clean their environments,
interact with them carefully and gently, and they
provide hours of fun. Parakeets are also good
choices; their bright colors and cheerful chattering
are interesting and entertaining for a small child.
Pets can enrich your child's life and teach many
valuable lessons. If you believe your child is ready
for a pet, choose carefully and teach your child how
to care for another living creature. Pets are
wonderful teachers!
About the Author
Graham Johns writes regularly for toddler and young children sites