Cats and dogs remain the most popular choices when picking a family pet, but it’s understandable that some parents might have concerns if they have younger children. After all, there’s a lot of responsibility that goes with caring for them properly.
For this reason, some people consider smaller animals a safer choice, giving rise to the concept of the ‘starter’ pet – something that’s easier to look after, so that children can get used to what might be involved before moving them on to something more demanding later on.
But is there any justification to back up this approach? Do small pets – such as rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils – really need less care and attention than a cat or a dog? And is it fair on these kinds of animals to acquire them in the expectation of a lower commitment?
In this article, we’re going to argue that all pets need the highest levels of care and commitment from the outset.
Who can own a pet?
By law, you have to be at least 16 years old to own a pet in the UK. This means that an adult has to take responsibility for the animal’s welfare and that they need to take such responsibility very seriously.
So, if you want to introduce your child to what’s involved in looking after a pet, you can’t just get them a small animal and leave them to it. You have to be closely involved, because if the animal comes to harm through neglect or carelessness, it will always be you who’s held responsible.
Things to consider when choosing a pet
Given the above, if you still want a pet for your children that’s smaller than a cat or dog, what factors do you need to think about in order to decide what would be suitable? Here are a few things to consider:
- Does the pet need companionship?
Many animals need companionship, otherwise they can get depressed. This may mean you need more than one, but also might mean you have to spend time with them every day giving them some fuss. Is your child likely to want or be able to commit such time?
- What cleaning is required?
All animals living in a cage or a hutch create mess that needs to be cleaned regularly. Leaving such an important task to a young child might mean that it isn’t done as often as it should be, which might in turn lead to unpleasant living conditions or even health hazards for the animal.
- Does the animal like to be handled?
Many animals like to be handled, but they need to be handled carefully and in a way that suits them. For instance, guinea pigs can take a long time to trust a person to pick them up in the right way, something young children in particular are unlikely to have the patience to achieve if left to their own devices.
- When does the animal sleep?
Different animals are active at different times, so you might need to arrange your schedule around their needs. Will your child be around and able to do what has to be done at the right times? Will they be organised enough to stick to what could be a strict timetable of responsibility?
What should you do with your pet if you’re going to be away?
Of course, you should never just go away and leave any pet on its own without someone to look after it while you’re away. There are a few that might be okay if someone pops by a couple of times a day to feed it and clean out any mess, as long as it’s only for a couple of days. Tortoises and even cats are usually going to be okay with this minimal amount of short-term care, but generally you need to make more detailed arrangements.
One solution is to take them to experienced carers who know how to care for the animal in question and have the time and enthusiasm to do it properly.
Here at Green Lane Farm Boarding Kennels and Cattery, we look after more than just cats and dogs – we’ve been offering expert small pet care for years, for everything from rabbits and guinea pigs to hamsters, rats and mice.
If you’re in need of a home from home for your small pet while you’re away, we can help. You’re more than welcome to come round and see our facilities for yourself in advance – our viewing times are 10am-12pm and 1.30pm-3pm, except on Sundays, Wednesdays and bank holidays.
Contact us today to find out more.
