Gifting A Pet To Your Child – How To do It Well

Christmas is coming and your child is longing for a new puppy or kitten to cuddle, or perhaps a beautiful bird, exotic reptile or fluffy bunny. You’re dreaming of seeing the delight on his face and hearing the squeals of joy.

And, although there are plenty of articles online that warn against giving pets as gifts, recent studies have shown that pets received as gifts are actually less likely to end up back in shelters than pets either adopted or bought from other sources, including friends, pet shops, and shelters. The ASPCA did its own study and found that people who received pets as gifts reported feeling more attached to the pet, especially when a loved one gave them the pet as a surprise.

To help you in making the decision to gift a pet to your child, here are some great tips to make sure the pet will become a treasured member of the family:

Know Your Audience

When you gift a pet to a child, you’re also gifting it to the child’s caregivers, who often are the ones responsible for feeding and care. Make sure you have their blessing. If you are the caregiver, ask yourself if you have the time and interest in assuming full responsibility if needed. This means taking on the chores of walking, socializing, feeding and veterinary care, and also supervising playtime for young children. Having a pet is a long-term commitment and, though you may want your child to eventually take on this commitment, it will not happen immediately.

Also consider the costs for food, leashes, litter, toys and routine vet care, because these can add up quickly.

Consider Lifestyle

Make sure there is enough space for the new pet to get exercise outdoors if needed. If you live in an apartment or condo building, check the building regulations for any restrictions on breeds. Even the smallest space can usually accommodate fish or exotic pets like small reptiles.

Is the child an active little person with an outgoing, boisterous personality that would be a good fit for dogs that like to romp and play? Perhaps he has a quiet, more reserved personality that would be perfect for a cuddly rabbit or kitten. Kids with scientific interests are often drawn to birds, fish and exotic reptiles and love studying them. This type of pet might also be good for busy teenagers who have demanding schedules but also long for the connection a pet can provide.

Fun Ways to Deliver the Gift

First of all, don’t wrap up the pet and put it under the tree. This can be very stressful for everyone, including that adorable new family member. Instead, build the surprise with one of these ideas:

Get a stuffed toy version of the pet, tie a pretty bow around its neck and present it with a card and gift certificate to a local pet supply store.

Make up a pet care package with all the supplies needed for the new pet. For dogs, include a collar and leash, bag of pet food, water and food dishes, toys and perhaps a comfy bed. For cats, pack a litter box with litter and scoop, food and water dishes, cat treats and food and some fun toys. Follow the pet store guidelines for birds, reptiles, other exotic pets and fish, making sure the basics of food, shelter and toys are included.

If you really want to deliver the surprise of a live pet on Christmas morning, place the pet out of sight in a quiet room or in a pet crate away from the tree. Set the pet care package out, with toys or kibble in a trail leading to the pet’s location.

Pets can bring joy and companionship to us for many years, and taking a bit of time to pick the perfect one for your child is well worth it. If you need more advice on specific breeds and species, a trip to your local pet supply store can be very helpful. While you’re there, ask the staff to share some successful pet gifting stories for more ideas.