| Even though your kids want a pet and promise to | | | | 5. Consider your schedule. Think about how much |
| take care of it, it doesn't necessarily mean they | | | | space you have inside and outside your home to |
| are mature enough to handle the responsibilities of | | | | accommodate a pet, how often you are home, |
| pet ownership. Pets offer companionship and | | | | and if you have time to devote to feeding, |
| teach children important life lessons about | | | | walking and cleaning up after a pet. This will help |
| friendship and responsibility, however, some pets | | | | you determine if you want a pet that needs a lot |
| are better than others for certain ages and | | | | of attention, or if you want a pet that requires |
| lifestyles. Following are 7 tips for choosing an | | | | minimal interaction. Also consider any allergies of |
| age-appropriate pet for your family: | | | | family members before bringing a pet home. |
| 1. Choose a social pet Consider choosing an animal | | | | 6. Be prepared. Discuss the pet's needs and type |
| that has already been socialized and knows how | | | | of care required and try to have all the equipment |
| to behave around children, such as an older cat or | | | | ready in your home before the new pet arrives. |
| a dog with a history of getting along well with | | | | 7. Clean up potential hazards. When bringing a pet |
| young children. Families with small children should | | | | into your home, you will need to pet-proof it as |
| be wary of bringing home a new puppy or kitten | | | | you have childproofed your home, such as |
| since baby animals require extra care and are | | | | removing plants that are poisonous if ingested and |
| more prone to scratching and playful biting. | | | | securing electrical cords so the pet won't chew on |
| 2. Learn about breeds. Using dogs as an example, | | | | them. |
| it's important to know that some breeds, such as | | | | Following are age-appropriate pet |
| Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers, are | | | | recommendations: |
| traditionally gentle and friendly and, thus, offer a | | | | - Ages 3 to 5: Consider a guinea pig for |
| great choice for families with small children. Find | | | | preschoolers. Guinea pigs are gentle, like to be |
| information on different breeds online or at the | | | | held and rarely bite. |
| library. Ask veterinarians or friends with similar | | | | - Ages 6 to 10: Consider "shelf pets" for |
| pets about their experiences. Determine if you | | | | elementary-age kids, such as fish, mice, hamsters |
| can accommodate the type of pet based on their | | | | and gerbils. |
| exercise, space and attention requirements. | | | | - Ages 10 to 13: Consider rabbits, dogs and cats |
| 3. Practice first. If you have never owned a dog | | | | for tweens. |
| before, be sure to do a trial run with a relative or | | | | - Ages 14 and up: Consider a bird or fish for |
| a friend's dog before committing to the real deal. | | | | teenagers. These low maintenance options are |
| This way, you can make sure your kids are | | | | great for older kids who are busy with school and |
| capable of tackling the responsibilities of caring for | | | | extracurricular activities. |
| a pet. | | | | Following are age-appropriate pet chores: |
| 4. Teach behavior. Show your kids how to act | | | | - Ages 3 to 6: Play with the pet while supervised, |
| appropriately around animals, such as how to | | | | help pick up pet toys and wipe up spills caused by |
| handle their new pet without squeezing, dropping, | | | | the pet. |
| or disturbing the animal. Remind them to always | | | | - Ages 7 to 10: Feed and brush the pet. If the pet |
| wash their hands after handling any animal. Never | | | | is a dog, this age group can help walk the dog. |
| leave a small child alone with a dog or cat until | | | | - Ages 10 and up: Clean a cage, walk a dog, |
| you know the pet is trained to stay calm. Remind | | | | empty a litter box, bathe a pet and help give |
| children to ask the owner before approaching | | | | medications. |
| animals they don't know. | | | | |