Joanna Marie O. Santos
August 11, 2023

A pet could be a great addition to the household and a good companion to your kid. Having a cuddly kitten or a playful puppy would definitely make your little one happy, and would even teach him some lessons about compassion and caretaking. Adopting a pet is a big step, and while it has proven to have benefits, it also comes with a big responsibility and commitment for both the parents and children at home. 

 

When your kid starts asking for a pet, they might compel you to grant his wishes, but how do you know your kid is ready for the responsibility?

 

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Does Your Kid Want a Pet?

 

Kids between the ages of 5-7 usually start longing for a pet companion. They ask for a kitten or puppy to play in the house. For their birthday or Christmas gifts, they sometimes expect their new furry friends to come running through the door. Research shows that school-aged children ask for a pet an average of 11 times per month. The most popular requests are dogs, cats, fish, birds, and rabbits. 

 

And kids are persistent. As a parent, it’s hard to resist them every time they plead “Can we get a pet?” in their adorable voices. Evidence suggests having a pet is good for young children, so what’s the harm, right? 

 

5 Signs Your Kid is Ready for a Pet

 

Before you give in, here are five signs that your kid is ready for a pet that you have to look out for. 

 

_{Photo: Agnieszka Gulczyńska via Bored Panda}

 

1. Your kid is comfortable around animals. 

 

Some children may say they love animals, but when they encounter one, they get scared or shrink away. You may need to observe your kid’s behavior around animals first to see if he’s really ready to have a pet. Getting excited when he sees an animal at the zoo differs significantly from having a pet around at home every day that you have to look after.

 

If your kid cries or runs away from a dog, for example, then he still needs time. Adopting a pet when a child has not overcome his fear may just cause more harm than good. 

 

2. Your kid knows how to show kindness and empathy towards animals.

 

Once you know your kid doesn’t shy away from animals, the next thing to observe is how he handles one. Animals are sensitive creatures. Children mean well, but some of them are too young to know how to treat an animal well. Does your kid know how to be gentle towards pets? Does he show empathy when he sees an animal in pain? This is to avoid both your kid and the pet getting hurt because they don’t know how to be around each other.

 

3. Your kid is showing responsibility. 

 

If your kid has been performing simple household chores, then that means he has proven he can commit to a responsibility. By putting away his toys, politely following orders, and finishing his tasks on time, then he has shown he has the maturity to care for a pet!

 

4. Your kid understands what a pet needs.

 

Your kid may think that all a pet is there for is playing, but you should make sure that he understands a dog or cat is a living creature that needs food, water, and shelter to survive. Tell him that a pet depends on people living in the house once adopted, so your kid should be up for the duties it entails, like putting food in the bowl, giving water, and just ‌looking after the pet. It’s all part of the responsibility.

 

5. Your kid is genuinely interested. 

 

Kids’ interests are fickle. Maybe they want a dog for now, then ask for a different thing next time. You might make the mistake of bringing a pet home, only for your kid to neglect the animal. 

 

Over time, observe your kid’s behavior in how he talks about pets and his reasoning why he wants one. Is he sincere when he’s asking? Does he get excited when he comes across a dog in the street, or attempts to pet the kittens he sees? These are all signs that yes, your kid does really want to have a pet friend. 

 

Why You Should Say Yes to Getting a Pet

 

So should you finally say yes and bring a pet home? If your kid has passed all the signs above but you’re still unsure, there are several benefits to getting a pet that might convince you better.

 

Once your kid has a pet, it can positively impact his emotional and physical development. A pet will help your kid learn more about responsibility and empathy. Pets also bring comfort and companionship, as kids treat them as their best friends. Kids also have increased activity as they spend time playing with their pets outside instead of being cooped up on their gadgets. And you simply can’t deny the fun and energy and happiness a pet brings to your home. 

 

Welcoming a New Addition to Your Family

 

Adopting a pet is not something you can do on a whim. There are serious things you have to consider first, especially when you have children at home who are at a sensitive stage of their development. They may not have the maturity to look after a pet yet.

 

Pets are a definitive commitment for years to come. As a parent, it’s like having another child. You should make sure you have the means to take care of these companion animals and that your house can cater to their specific needs. 

 

Your kids should be able to understand that the dog or cat is now part of the family, too, so you should teach them how to take care of it with the utmost love and sensitivity. And then you can finally give them their new best friend that they’ve been asking for.