Before you head to the pet shop or foster home, you should ask yourself first if you and your child are ready to take care of a pet. Owning a pet is a rewarding and enjoyable experience, but there is a catch. You must understand that pet ownership is a life-changing decision and comes with ample responsibility. Moreover, you should be open to different alternatives if ever living pets is not an ideal option. As a parent or guardian, you must be armed with information and lots of patience as you explain this to your child.
Here are the following questions you should ask yourself to assess your family's aptitude for pet ownership:
You can’t just put your newly-adopted pet at any corner of your house. Determine ahead of time where they will sleep, eat, and do their business. Adopting a pet is like having a new family member that requires a lot of your attention
Moreover, it is not only your household that should be ready. It would be best to consider your current living arrangement and the local laws in your area about pet adoption. If you are renting, ask your landlord about any pet restrictions or rules. Find out if there is any building, county, town, or state ordinances about it. Is the current state you are living in is pet-friendly or not?
Also, remember that not all pets' behaviors are equal. Cats being territorial, must have its lair in your house no matter how big or small your abode is. They also love to crawl into spaces and jump over high places. Oh, they also love scratching on things like sofas and chairs.
On the other hand, dogs are balls of energy, so you must have plenty of space for them. Who will take them for a walk? Do you have a spacious yard where they can play?
Even though it is your child's pet, you are still the primary caregiver of these furry companions. Remember that your children don't have yet the full capacity of caring for another living thing. They will shower it with affection at one time and ignore them the next minute.
How about you? Will you be able to spend time with your pets, or you need to go to work? Are your children willing to take care of the pet in your absence? Explain to them that besides playing with pets, they should feed, pick up after them and shower them with love.
If your answer is yes, then please don’t adopt one. Don't compromise your family's health over a furry companion. Nope, it is not because of the pet's hair or fur. Its source is dander (dead skin cells) and proteins in the saliva and urine produced by your pet, as stated by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).
Allergens can be spread anywhere, such as on the sofa, clothing, wall, and other surfaces. Pet dander can also become airborne during dusting and vacuuming. When you adopt a pet, you should accept the consequence where one of your family members who are allergic to it might be dependent on medication, which might be bad for their health and cause side effects.
You have to spend on food, grooming, housing, exercise, training, and veterinary care. Speaking of veterinary care, your pet should see a vet at least annually, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Besides vaccinations, it also includes several annual preventive healthcare exams such as fecal parasite exams, dental evaluation, heartworm testing, and more—no wonder a pet hates going to the vet.
There are also miscellaneous expenses like getting rid of your pet’s unpleasant odor around your house. Or paying for the repair of your damaged furniture due to "accidents" caused by your beloved fur babies. And because you adore your pets so much, you might buy them toys, scratch posts, beds, treats, and other pet supplies just to make your fur baby happy. You might consider these expenses as a small, occasional cost, but it can add up quickly over time.
We cannot argue the positive impact of pet ownership on children. However, you have to ensure that they are willing to be a responsible pet parent. Tell them that pet ownership entails responsibility. Since they have short attention spans, you have to always remind them not to squeeze or smother the pet as it may fight back.
How can you ensure the safety of your child with a pet when you are away? The Pet Sitters International (PSI) said, "The safety of both child and pet should be discussed initially among family members and periodic reminders to children depending on their level of understanding." Due to a child's curious and rowdy behavior, they may tend to forget to be gentle and calm around their pets.
Fortunately, there is, and it is called Perfect Petzzz, which is a lifelike pet that almost feels and behaves like a real one. Consider owning a Perfect Petzzz companion as an initiation or for training before taking care of a family pet. What are the benefits of Perfect Petzzz?
But just like normal pets, they also need non-stop love and cuddles. That's it! And in return, they will be happy and content to be a loyal furry companion forever.
Each Perfect Petzzz bundle includes a new plush pet bed, collar with pet tag, pet brush, adoption certificate, and the Perfect Petzzz made from 100% synthetic fur that will be your new best friend! It's available for purchase through our Amazon site. For any other inquiries, contact us here.
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