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Every child wants his or her own pet at some time and it is up to the parents to decide which pet will be most appropriate. With the range in ages and variety of pets to choose from, it may seem like a hit-or-miss situation when deciding. But once you match your child to a pet, the friendship between them can be heartwarming.
One of the easier pets for a child to have is a cat. A fairly self-sufficient animal, the biggest challenge lies in litter training if the kitty is not housebroken. Once past that initial stage, an older kitten or young adult cat can be the thrill of your child's life. An independent cat can mix well with an independent child who is looking for some companionship but not a lot of responsibility. Feeding and cleaning the littler box are the basics of caring for a cat, so once your child is mature enough to handle that, a cat might make the perfect pet.
A dog requires a bit more care. As man's best friend, dogs need more attention than cats and require frequent exercise, whether they are housebound or not. And if they do live inside they will need to be taken outside for their daily duties. A child should be a bit older to handle this kind of responsibility, preferably past the age of ten or more. And your child should be looking for more companionship with a dog since they do require more contact and daily attention.
A hamster or gerbil make a fine pet for a young child of age five if the parents are willing to take over the cleaning of the cage and perhaps the feeding too. These playful little creatures are quite entertaining and will delight the entire family, just watch out for their tendency to nip at your fingers. And with enough supervising your child can eventually do complete care for these little animals.
A small pet which requires substantial know-how is the rabbit. Probably nearer to the age of 10, rabbits can be fun for children looking for a playful companion and some adult-type responsibility of cleaning their cages and being sure they live in a healthy environment. Particular attention must be paid to their sensitive feet if they are living in an outside hutch. So do your research when considering this pet option.
Cost is not hugely variable in terms of maintaining each pet. Beyond the basic veterinary bills of shots, neutering/spaying and the occasional sickness, feed is the primary cost. For start-up costs, the rabbits could be considerably most expensive if you do not have ready access to a hutch. Dogs also require some investment initially in obtaining a dog house for the outside companion and collar, leash and licensing as well. I consider the cat the easiest and least expensive pet for a child to have.
So before you buy your child a pet, look at all factors such as cost, child's age and level of responsibility to make the best pet match with your excited son or daughter.
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