It is a common occurrence for a growing family to have the children asking for a puppy for their birthday or asking to adopt the stray kitten outdoors. Having a pet in the house is definitely a step in the family.
Pets are excellent companies. They are good friends and loyal protectors. However, taking care of a pet is very different from taking care of humans. They have unique needs, diet, daily routines, and medical attention. Most of them are available in pet supplies stores in Singapore.
Here are the factors parents need to consider before choosing a pet for the family.
The Parents’ Guide To Getting A Pet
It is hard to say no when children beg for a pet puppy or kitten; however, parents must remember that the responsibility of taking care of the pet still mainly falls on their shoulders until their children are old enough.
On top of that, although pets are sweet and loving, the unpredictability of the animal’s and child’s behaviour can be a dangerous combination.
Here are the things parents should consider before visiting a pet shop andpet supplies store in Singapore.
The age of your children
Generally, you don’t want to introduce an animal to a child that is not ready yet. The youngest age for children to have pets is five years old. Basically, at this age, kids know how to perform basic tasks, such as filling the water bowl of your puppy or brushing their fur.
However, parents must still pay attention to the interaction between the pet and their young kids since their behaviours are unpredictable. Make sure that your pet has completed pet vaccine and immune booster shots to ensure the safety of your child.
Choice of appropriate pet
It is common for children to wish for a puppy and kitten. However, there are also other pets available, such as birds, turtles, and fish. It may break their hearts, but parents must not include their kids in pet selection, especially if they are too young.
For example, a parakeet bird or a gecko are good for children ages five to seven. They are gentle, low maintenance, and affectionate. Feeding geckos and parakeets are easy and can be done by a child under the parent’s supervision. Their needs are widely available inpet supplies in Singapore.
Children between 12 and 15 are more prepared to take care of dogs and cats. They can do tasks such as walking and playing with the dogs and cats, feeding, bathing, and cleaning the litter. Among the essentials of owning these animals areeye drops for dogs and eye drops for cats.
Maintenance and healthcare requirements
Having pets in the house also costs parents expenses, from the food to medical needs such as regular vet check-ups, medications like eye drops for dogs and eye drops for cats, and other care requirements like cages, tanks, pet shampoos, toys, and so on.
Adopt or Buy?
Parents have the option to adopt or buy a pet. Parents tend to buy puppies or kittens from a store or breeder because they get the animal at a young age and watch them grow in the family. They also know the breed and the specific care instructions from the breeders.
On the other hand, adopting a cat or dog from the shelter gives the animals a second chance in life. Adopted or not, pets should be taken care of and must be provided with the medical attention they need, such as vaccines and pet immune boostershots.
Owning a family pet relies on the hand of mummies and daddies. Now, if the parents are ready for the new addition to the family, it is time to prepare their children for pet parenting.
How To Prepare Your Children For Pet Responsibility
Introduce Your Children To The Animals
Prior to bringing your pet home, it is better to start introducing your kids to animals. It can be to your neighbour’s dogs or cats. You can also visit dog parks and pet cafes. This prior interaction between your child and the animals prepares your kid for living with animals. It is also the best time to observe your child’s reaction to the animal. If your kid feels uncomfortable, you can retract your plan of getting a pet.
Teach Them How To Treat The Pet
Once you have the pet at home, you can teach how to treat the pet respectfully. Teach them the right way to pet the puppy or the kitten. Parents can also do the basic dos and don’ts. For example, don’t interrupt the animal when they are eating nor punish or hit them when they misbehave.
Show your children how to play with the animals using the appropriate toys. Parents should also teach their older children the warning signs of an animal, such as hissing or growling. Tell your children to back off if these signs appear. Get your dog or catpet vaccine and immune booster shotsas they ensure the safety of your child in case the animal bites or attacks.
Teach Them How To Use The Equipment
Parents can teach younger children how to open and close cages, change and clean the pet’s food and water bowl. They can also teach how to use pet toys safely.
Older children can learn how to put the leash on their dogs and how to handle the harness. Parents can also show how to clean and change the litterbox of cats properly.
All the pet equipment can be bought from pet supplies in Singapore. You can also bring your child to thepet supplies store in Singaporefor shopping. Doing this motivates the children to tend to the pet’s needs.
Work With The Chores Together
Lastly, doing pet chores together is a good bonding time for the parents, kids, and their pets. They can prepare and serve the food, too. Children can help the parents bathe their dogs and cats or join them in the pet park for a walk, exercise, and playtime.
Pets are excellent companions. They basically become a part of the family. Children learn a lot of lessons from taking care of pets. Lessons of responsibility, love, and respect can be applied in real life as they grow older.
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