Children and Pets

[Mr_Hughes]

An interesting conversation struck up between my wife and I the other evening and I thought I’d get a bit of feed back from a few animal communities that I‘m apart of. We are expecting out first child in April and with Easter coming we’ve been seeing the face book statuses about Bunnies and Chicks not being Easter basket gifts. We both whole heartedly agree with this and the fact that pets in general are not gifts really unless they have been planned for (and I don’t mean just by the adults.) our discussion turned to how we would want to handle our Tig wanting his first pet and through the discussion I had an interesting idea.


When a child asks for a pet they should have to wait a certain period of time before being told yes. The time period depends on the pet (I’ll get to that in a minute.) in that waiting time they are to hit up the internet and the library and get as much information together about the animal they want, even if it is a dog or cat. They should be finding things like caging, feeding, habits, costs, ect. once they have gathered their information they can educate their parents on what they have learned (of course younger children would need a lot more help with the research than older children.)


The next step would be to set up a mock cage (a shoe box or something with little things to serve as the equipment that goes with the pet) with a mock pet (a stuffed animal of the critter). And they care for the stuffy as though it were a live animal going through the motions of its care and marking it down on a care sheet for mom and dad to check every couple days. (cats and dogs get a whole different mock up though.) I’d thought of a system in which a whole list of everything that has to be done daily and weekly and monthly is gone over and each item on the list is ranked from most important (food and water) to least (depends on the pet) and each of these items that gets missed has a day amount attached to it and whenever it is missed that is how long the waiting period for the pet get extended.


The mock pet can also “die” if it is neglected too much at which point mom and dad sit down with the kid and discuss whether the child still wants the pet or not. If they do then the waiting period starts back up again and the mock pet is “resurrected” for the child to care for once more.


Does anyone think this would work? As for the waiting periods I wanted to get some opinions on what everyone thought. I also wanted to see what others thought of difficulty levels of different types of animals. I have a few examples listed with each, but if you have other examples to add feel free to mention them. These skill levels are also based somewhat on what I have handled and know how to care for myself (which is why something like a ball python gets on the beginners list) or what I assume would be suitable for that level based on what I have seen others caring for please correct me if I am wrong on some.


Mammals
Beginner: (Rats, Mice, and Hamsters)
Intermediate: (Guinea pigs, Rabbits, Gerbils)
Expert: (Chinchillas, Hedgehogs, Ferrets)


Birds
Beginner: (Finches and parakeets possibly Canaries)
Intermediate: (Cockatiels, Budgies, Love birds)
Expert: (Any Parrot or Conure)


Reptiles
Beginner: (garter, rat, or corn snakes. Ball Pythons Anoles)
Intermediate: (Red tailed boa, Iguanas, Bearded dragons, Tortoises,and turtles)
Expert: (Retics, Tree boas/pythons, and Olive pythons, Chameleons, Basilisks)


Fish
Beginner: (19Cent gold fish, Pool comets, and Betta)
Intermediate: (Fancy gold fish, Shebunkins, Koi, other simple fresh water fish)
Expert: (the not so simple fresh water fish, Brackish water fish, Salt water fish)

[Lizardlicks]

I'm not sure that a "mock" pet would work very well. Kids have good imaginations, but short attention spans, and a pretend pet will get boring or even frustrating. Intelligent kids might even feel belittled or insulted if you make them act out the motions of "pretending" to do things for a long time. Instead, have them prove their responsibility by doing actual, tangible things: taking on the feeding, watering and other care requirements for family pets that are already in the house. Have them keep their room clean for a month. Have them do extra chores. These are all things that they can do to show they're ready to commit to the work while still gaining a benefit they can see and feel proud of. Writing up a care check list together will be good for them to visualize the responsibilities they are asking to take on though.

A lot of people hesitate to recommend ball pythons as beginner snakes mostly for the fact that their eating habit (ie: suddenly stopping and going months without food for no discernible reason, at least to the newbie reptile keeper) can really freak new owners out and make them worry. that siad though, if you've done your research, are aware of potential feeding problems, and are confident in handling it, I see no reason for them not to be classed under beginner. However, I would personally put tortoises and igs under experienced. Their caging, temp regulation, and diet requirements are much larger or more complex than that of even a large retic.

I would Definitely second bettas as good beginner fish, again, as long as you do your research and don't assume "beginner" also means "keep in a fish bowl on the kitchen table". My oldest just turned five on Valetine's day, and we got her a betta for her birthday. He's in a nice, swank 5 gallon bow front with a heater and filter and live plants and hides. As she's only five, her only responsibility is to feed him in the morning. I handle cleaning the thank and doing the water changes for right now.

That's another thing to consider is that if you're willing, and you can get enjoyment out of the pet too, I see no reason you can't get a more advanced pet and have the kid handle the smaller parts while you do the complex stuff. As they grow older, more capable, and more reliable, they can take on more of the work.

[gameonpython]

I'm not sure that a "mock" pet would work very well. Kids have good imaginations, but short attention spans, and a pretend pet will get boring or even frustrating. Intelligent kids might even feel belittled or insulted if you make them act out the motions of "pretending" to do things for a long time. Instead, have them prove their responsibility by doing actual, tangible things: taking on the feeding, watering and other care requirements for family pets that are already in the house. Have them keep their room clean for a month. Have them do extra chores. These are all things that they can do to show they're ready to commit to the work while still gaining a benefit they can see and feel proud of. Writing up a care check list together will be good for them to visualize the responsibilities they are asking to take on though.
Agree with this! For a considerably younger kid a mock pet may work well, but as said here if the kid is older or smarter than average, they could easily become offended and not see any point in caring for a stuffed animal.

A lot of people hesitate to recommend ball pythons as beginner snakes mostly for the fact that their eating habit (ie: suddenly stopping and going months without food for no discernible reason, at least to the newbie reptile keeper) can really freak new owners out and make them worry. that siad though, if you've done your research, are aware of potential feeding problems, and are confident in handling it, I see no reason for them not to be classed under beginner. However, I would personally put tortoises and igs under experienced. Their caging, temp regulation, and diet requirements are much larger or more complex than that of even a large retic.

Tortoises, with the right setup can be fairly simple but I definitely think iguanas are not for a child. They can cause a great deal of harm, and their large size makes them extremely difficult to even take out and handle.

I would Definitely second bettas as good beginner fish, again, as long as you do your research and don't assume "beginner" also means "keep in a fish bowl on the kitchen table". My oldest just turned five on Valetine's day, and we got her a betta for her birthday. He's in a nice, swank 5 gallon bow front with a heater and filter and live plants and hides. As she's only five, her only responsibility is to feed him in the morning. I handle cleaning the thank and doing the water changes for right now.

That's another thing to consider is that if you're willing, and you can get enjoyment out of the pet too, I see no reason you can't get a more advanced pet and have the kid handle the smaller parts while you do the complex stuff. As they grow older, more capable, and more reliable, they can take on more of the work.

I really like it when I see parents who are willing to let their children enjoy the animals. Kudos to you


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[Daniel.michelle]

Here's my little 2 cents. when my kid (in the future) asks for a pet, I will ask them "what kind?" (Like I want a "pet snake" "what kind?") If they can't answer that, then ignore the question for about a month or more. Then if they ask again, then I will know they actually mean it.

Then when they ask "can I have a X pet" then they will say which one. When they do that I will quiz them on their care. Basically they need to be able to say the animals care in their sleep. Then I will wait till their next birthday (or something like that) and if they still want it, take them to the store and let them pick it out, but they have to ask for it.

When they say they want a snake or fish etc. Then you can research beginners of that type of animal.

Also, just to clarify a little, with lizards, anoles are not a good beginner reptile, they are easy to take care of but very messy and fast etc. There are many more better beginners. (Leopard, crested geckos etc.) bearded dragons are actually a good beginner lizard too.

Again, when your kid asks for a snake or a lizard, you gotta try to lead them towards better beginners

When I'm a parent I have a feeling that I'm gonna be getting my kids cool reptiles as presents, but really they will be for me.

[Lizardlicks]

When I'm a parent I have a feeling that I'm gonna be getting my kids cool reptiles as presents, but really they will be for me.

Ahaha, I'm trying to resist that route. "But what if ERIS wants a ball python too? We clearly need three more!" Slippery slope, that one XD

Also, if the answer to the "what kind of pet?" is a puppy or a kitty... well the type really doesn't matter so much. Go to the shelter and get a mix.

[Reinz]

Pets are Living creatures not Barbie dolls. They are fantastic media for teaching kids about different facets af life which they soak up like sponges.
There is no reason to dumb it down.

[anicatgirl]

Pets are Living creatures not Barbie dolls. They are fantastic media for teaching kids about different facets af life which they soak up like sponges.
There is no reason to dumb it down.

I agree with this. I have taught preschool for 8 years, and when they ask the hard questions "Why is grass green?" etc, I always like to provide the true answer, which leads to more questions, which is awesome. They might not get it all yet, but it starts a good thing to learn to question and seek after knowledge.

That being said, I don't think that was what OP was saying per se.

[Mr_Hughes]

Really I didn't think of it that way Lizardlicks. I guess I just wanted a way to get them into the habit before loosing them on a pet. Part of the discussion had turned to our roommate (who is moving in two weeks partially due to the impending baby and partially due to the situation that arose with his rats.) and his complete uncaring neglect that resulted in one dead rat and one nearly starved survivor. He tried to say they fought and one killed the other, but when I picked maple up she was nothing but bones. Needless to say she is ours now. I guess it just really got to me because I thought back to my childhood and how many of my pets died or were lost due to thoughtless neglect. The first being my first grade pet. A Parakeet named Ben. I fed him. That was all I was allowed to do. no taking him out to train him no cleaning his cage just feed him. When he ran out of food I told my mom and waited. and waited and waited. Gave him some crackers to tide him over (because "he should be alright until mom buys him food right?") and one day I went in just in time to see him keel over off of his perch. most of my experience with pets was that they were disposable things. Truth be told I didn't become truly responsible with my pets until we settled where we are now 3 years ago. I suppose that's why my roommate's thoughtlessness with his rats got to me so much. and maybe I am over thinking it too much. When you know better you do better. I really do like the idea of Letting the child help care for the already existent pets of which we have a nice variety (would even have two clown fish that we'd rescued two years ago had I wanted to continue my amateurism with them. Just gave them up to a willing friend two weeks ago.)

yeah I was just over thinking it all. I've been doing that a lot lately lol. This whole impending parenthood thing has me over thinking a lot of things.

[xyzpdq75]

i remember a few years ago (i am young, so a few years ago i was 10 or 11 lol) my parents let me get a leopard geko, i named him (i dont really know the gender but he's a him in my heart) tortuga, and he was basically my best freind. my parents did no research on him. i was on my own, and when youre ten and on your own its hard to do some things. i kept a dish im their for meal worms, but i always fed him with my hands, he was on a type of sand from the pet store, had a little dish, and a hide, a uth (a heaty thing as i knew it lol) and a flourecent light on the top. he had a few sheds, i dont know how their sheds are supposed to go but im fairly sure that it was not good because it came apart in small peices. i didnt even know this was a problem. one day he couldnt get his shed off all the way, i asked my parents and they said somthin of the sorts of "he'll get fit off eventually" and it never really did. it was like he was trapped in their, and i had no idea what to do, i didnt have my own computer or anything and i wouldnt know what to look for if i did. all on all, he died. i was heartbroken, and had no idea what i did wrong. hell, i dont even know today, i suppose it was his humidity.

anyways, the point is, if your child is anywhere umder thirteen or so(it really depends on the kid) they are probably ganna need help, amd if theyre really young, you should know their pet inside and out to, so if they get overwhelmed you can jump in and show them what to do or what theyre doing wrong.

i have no doubt you'll be a great pet owner and parent! i only rant cus I'm still emotional about it, thinking about how he could easily be alive today. thanks for the post, overthinking is good, just sometimes it needs a little refined^.^

[Skiploder]

Always get a pet because you and/or your wife want it - not the kids....