Page 8 - Family Resource Guide

ANIMALS NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FALL/WINTER 2021/2022
Skye enjoys “window shopping” at Aquarium & Pets in Red Bluff Scarlett’s parents feel that it is never to early to start learning the Desire’ agrees that starting with a small pet might be best responsibility of pet ownership
Choosing the Best Pet for Your Family
BY CHRISTA MELNYK HINES
They’re cute and they’re cuddly, but how do you know what kind of pet would work best for your family? When deciding on the right pet for you,
consider your family’s lifestyle, finances and personality.
Choosing a pet shouldn’t be done on impulse
According to the American Academy of Child & Ad- olescent Psychiatry, raising children with pets can bene- fit a child’s self-esteem and self-confidence and can en- courage compassion and empathy. But, unlike a sweater that you return if it doesn’t fit quite right, choosing a pet shouldn’t be an impulse buy.
According to Barbara Poe, manager of shelter op- erations and behavioral services at an animal shelter, 75 percent of the animals returned to the shelter result from families adding a pet to their households without consid- ering the challenges. “This percentage rises when talking about the return of puppies. Puppies require a lot of time, socialization and training,” Poe says.
Are you home enough to give a lot of care and attention?
First, take a look at a typical day for your family to determine if you’re home enough to provide the care and attention a pet deserves.
“Kittens and puppies are like having an extra toddler in your house. They require a lot of supervision because they will chew on things, climb on things or get into things you don’t necessarily want them to or that might be harm- ful to them,” says Dawn Morgan, manager of volunteer and client services at an animal rescue organization.
While older dogs and cats may adjust better to a busy lifestyle, they still need exercise, playtime, training and grooming. Without enough exercise and social inter-
action, a bored, lonely dog may take out its frustrations and engage in destructive behaviors like chewing and digging.
Less demanding pets, like fish, might work better for families with hectic schedules. As with any pet, deter- mine in advance how much you want your child to help, whether it’s with feeding or cleaning. Be prepared to en- force the rules and pick up any slack.
Consider the overall financial cost
Besides food, vaccinations, spaying or neutering and supplies, the scale slides wildly when considering the overall financial cost of a pet. Life expectancies vary and if your pet develops health problems, you’ll likely pay more for its care over the long haul than for an otherwise healthy animal. Also, if you choose a more exotic pet like a guinea pig, bird or a reptile, prepare to pay a little extra for a veterinarian who specializes in handling exotic animals.
Look for a pet that matches your personality
To ensure both the safety of your child and the wel- fare of the animal, understand the temperament of vari- ous types of animals.
“It’s really important when you think to bring a pet into your home that you look for a dog or cat that matches your personality and will fit into the dynamic of your fam- ily instead of just the one that is the cutest,” Morgan says.
If you’re adopting from a shelter, talk to the volun- teer who walks and feeds the animals. This person usually spends the most time with individual cats and dogs and can talk to you about their personalities and which ones would do well in a home with children.
Among dogs, research breeds and mixes. While retrievers
and labradors tend to be good family dogs, some fami- lies don’t realize how much exercise and attention these breeds require.
“Shy or timid kids are confusing to a dog. Dogs react differently to a shy, fearful behavior and may see it as a threatening behavior,” says veterinarian Dr. Andrea Ferrell. If you choose a puppy, enroll in a puppy training class to ensure that it learns to properly interact with people and to socialize with other dogs.
Pocket pets are good “starter” pets
Nicknamed “pocket pets,” animals like rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals make good first-time pets for children.
“I really like pocket pets for kids as a starter pet,” Fer- rell says. “Most rabbits and guinea pigs are well-adapted to living with children...(and) can really get affectionate.” Purchase a young rabbit or guinea pig so that it grows accustomed to handling.
While they don’t require much in the way of exercise, rabbits and guinea pigs do enjoy social interaction and clean, indoor enclosures.
Birds and reptiles aren’t easy to care for or handle
Carefully research other small animals like birds, rep- tiles and amphibians before adding them to your fami- ly. Many of these animals are neither easy to care for nor to handle. Turtles, in particular, carry Salmonella bacte- ria on their shells, which can sicken a child still learning hand-washing hygiene.
When researching the right pet for you, talk to friends and family who own pets that you are interested in, your veterinarian or your local animal shelter. For more tips and information, visit www.veterinarypartners.com.
8 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Fall/Winter 2021/2022 • www.northstateparent.com