When is it ok to expose children to live feeding ?

My kids enjoy even helping to feed now. My daughter was just turned 4 when she really watched. Now its no problem. My sons started older but just because they didnt live with me when we started with snakes.

It depends on the child. Some people (regardless of age) can't handle the sight of it. Only you know what your child can handle.

My daughter feeds our snakes f/t, but she wouldn't feed a live mouse unless it was a last resort. But she's 11 and has grown up with all manner of animals and death has just been part of that. But a snake squeezing a mouse to death is a lot different than a pet dying of natural causes. Again, use your judgement on what your child can handle, and if unsure, err on the side of waiting. Or switch to F/T and then it's a non issue and the kid(s) can help feed.

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Originally Posted by OctagonGecko729

I think 3 is a little young to expose a kid to death just in general, it doesnt have to be particularly an animal eating another animal but this is on a case by case basis for sure. There are plenty of kids that are ready for that realization at 5 and there are plenty of adults which can't ever accept that reality.

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With this said, my daughter is 2 and fully understands that the snakes must eat, and knows what their food is called, knows what happens, has watched it, and enjoys it. She also has her own pet rats that we let her hold and interact with that she knows are not snake food.

As far as 3 being to early to be exposed to death in general, let alone 2, we lost our 4 month old son about 6 months ago and she was well aware that she lost her little brother. So I guess not exposing her to death at an early age went right out the window.

Do what you think is best for your child. I will say tho as a parent, there is no harm having your children live in the real world, because sooner or later they WILL find out that death exists, and that it can be extremely hard to deal with at times, but one day everyone and everything has their time.

Might as well grow up with it instead if having to adjust and cope later...


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I say expose them. I think that when things aren't hidden from them, they understand it better. My daughter was first exposed to death at 4 when her Grandpa passed from cancer. We hid nothing from her about his illness. She knew grandpa was sick and going to die. When the time came she handled it better than the rest of us.

She has been right there twice, when we have had to put a cat down, holding them and petting them, because she wanted her to be the last thing they knew. There's no way I would have told her she couldn't be a part of saying goodbye, even with how hard and terrible it was.

So when she wanted snakes (at age 6), we explained to her what and how they eat. And she's totally fine with it. She understands her snakes need to eat. And she plays with all the rats from the time they are pinks, until they get fed off. She feeds the snakes sometimes as well. She gives the rats a head scratch, then kisses them, and then puts them in the tub.


Give them some credit, they will amaze you.

Kids are fine. I have 4 and 6 yearold. My 4 yearold likes to hold and play with rats before they are givin to our animals.

Its a bitter sweet for them to play with a cute rat but they understand and accept it.

You transition it into a learning experience.
The younger they get exposed they understand better.

Kids are better about it than adults

if you cant accept it or have worries, start off with feeding insects to animals.

My kids have been watching and helping during feeding time with no issues. Like someone else mentioned there is no blood. They see more blood and violence on video game commercials than on feeding day.
Also my 5 year old girl likes to hold the cute little fuzzy rats when we are feeding the hatchlings.

I raised 2 girls. You know your kid best.

I found in situations such as this, preparedness is key. Talk about it before hand, answer ?'s. Explain, during, and discuss after. It sure makes a difference.

The biggest problem to overcome is Disney! They have convinced the world,starting at childhood that every animal is innocent and has a soul and should never die.

Please don't take me wrong, I AM quite the animal lover that was originally Pre-vet.

I have a 3 year old... she loves feeding the snakes :D

In fact... she is sometimes the one who has to remind me who is due on certain days... lol...

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Originally Posted by Coopers Constrictors

I have a 3 year old... she loves feeding the snakes :D

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Awesome!

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I raised 2 girls. You know your kid best.

I found in situations such as this, preparedness is key. Talk about it before hand, answer ?'s. Explain, during, and discuss after. It sure makes a difference.

The biggest problem to overcome is Disney! They have convinced the world,starting at childhood that every animal is innocent and has a soul and should never die.

Please don't take me wrong, I AM quite the animal lover that was originally Pre-vet.

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And this is the problem, we have gotten so detached from the real world everything is traumatic... stupid tv and disney we live in an imaginary world. I bet many kids growing up on farms or less fortunate countries are helping their parents kill, skin, etc animals to eat. I think its important to know where your food comes from and completely understand it. The younger kids are expose to this and learn this the less likely they are to grow up screwed up with irrational fears and have a better understanding of the real world. I say do it, before they start thinking all animals are alive and happy and everything is rainbows and unicorns and windup the next member of PETA.