"Can We Pleeease Get a Dog?" A Parents' Guide to First Pets

June 11, 2020 Guest User

Adding a four-legged friend to the family is an exciting and momentous occasion. It’s a great way to teach kids important lessons in responsibility and selfless care. And simply adds a new element of joy and companionship into the mix, often bringing the family closer together. But, as you know, it’s a big decision! Pets are time-intensive, expensive, and oftentimes quite stressful.

Here are a few ways you can make sure you (and your kids) are absolutely ready to take on your first family pet.

Before Adopting a Pet, Answer These Questions!

Am I financially in a position to take care of this pet?

A great resource to check out before adopting a pet is the 2020 Pet Ownership Cost Guide!

They estimate that the average baseline cost is about $300-400 per year. That includes routine vet visits, grooming, food, toys, etc. However, it excludes the initial costs of adoption, training, vaccines, etc. and miscellaneous costs for boarding during vacations and unexpected medical problems.

How often is someone home and able to engage with the pet?

A busy family with countless activities and frequent travel may not be the most suitable home for a pet that requires a lot of hands-on attention. Think about your family’s routine and who would be responsible for caring for the pet throughout the day.

Dogs, obviously, require more frequent walks, whereas cats don’t need to be taken out. Consider these factors if time is a concern.

Is anyone allergic?

A good thing to discover before adopting a pet! ;) Note that there are some dog and cat breeds that are more hypoallergenic than others. Here is a list of the best pets for families with allergies.

What qualities are you looking for in a pet?

Of course, you first need to decide as a family what type of pet to get.

Here’s a list of some of the most common pets for children:

Cat
Dog
Rabbit
Gerbil, Hamster, or Guinea Pig
Fish
Reptile
Bird

Which pets are the kids most drawn to? Do you prefer something a little bit more low maintenance? Consider the average lifespan for each and think about whether or not you are prepared to care for the pet for that length.

Particularly with dogs, it’s important to identify what behavioral traits and patterns are important to you and establish if there are any nonnegotiables. This will save both you and the pet a lot of stress in the long run.

For example, are you (or is anyone in your family) highly sensitive to noise? You may want to avoid a breed with a tendency to bark Frequently and loudly. Or, perhaps, you want a breed that is smaller, affectionate, and kid-friendly.

Know that while there are patterns to help you make an educated decision, you are still adopting a unique living being and there will be some unpredictability. Your pet will grow and change, developing different behavioral patterns along the way. Are you ready to adapt and offer loving care no matter what?

What is everyone responsible for?

As we mentioned earlier, a pet can be a really great asset for childhood development. Teaching children to care for a living thing, take responsibility, and stick to a commitment.

Below we define some age-appropriate responsibilities for kids. We recommend discussing and agreeing to these terms before adopting a pet!

Age-Appropriate Pet-Care Responsibilities

Toddlers

Brushing and petting/giving affection
Toys and clean-up

5-10

Keeping an eye on the water bowl to make sure it stays fresh
Helping parents with walking and exercise
Cleaning the pet areas
Food and water (with supervision)

Older Children

Daily food and water
Walking and exercise with the pet on your own
Regularly cleaning pet food dishes and any other pet areas (litter box, crate, etc.)
Accompany parents to the vet! This is a great way for them to learn more about financial responsibilities.

Is This an Impulse Decision?

We’ve all heard the jokes about leaving the house for a carton of milk and coming home with a cute puppy because someone “simply couldn’t resist.” Or the Christmas videos of tearful surprises.

While adopting a pet can be an incredible gift, putting time and thought into the decision, as a family, will often lead to a better long-term experience with shared responsibilities.

Are We Adopting from a Safe & Ethical Source?

This is highly important! As we learn and grow, we uncover some unsavory practices within the pet world. So it’s important to avoid adopting a pet from an unethical source or adopting a pet that really shouldn’t be in captivity. Be sure to do your research about the shelter, animal rescue, or breeder before adopting your pet!

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