Is Your Toddler Ready for a Pet?

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