Have you ever wondered what the ideal first pet would be for your kids?
Are your kids nagging about getting a pet, and you are tired of saying ‘NO’?
Not only for your children, but for yourself as well, if you were wondering what the ideal first pet would be, keep reading.
The small furries, like bunnies, hamsters and guinea pigs might seem like a good idea, but you would be very wrong to think that. They are often too small for children to handle properly and can be very anti social and anxious around people. They have a very short life span, often don’t show clinical signs of disease soon enough and can make noise during the night, when everyone else is trying to sleep.
A dog is pretty much like having another child, so if you aren’t ready for that, don’t do it.
A bird? Nah, can be difficult to establish the bond that the kids are craving for.
A tortoise? Nope, not the one for cuddles. Often debatable on where it actually came from, and can be an issue if not taken care of properly.
Fish? Please…..
The perfect 1st ever pet is, IMO, a senior cat. OK, a middle aged one could do as well.
Why? Well, first of all, nobody will have to take it out for walks. It probably wont chew your new shoes either. You can pick the personality you think would suit your household best, because the shelter and the foster will have this information. A cat will be perfectly happy indoors, will give lots of cuddles if that is what you are going for, and if you visit your vet regularly for check ups, cats tend to develop less random problems than any other pet.
A senior cat needs a warm home this Christmas. They are just waiting for you to read this article and google search your local shelters.
Go ahead, do the thing that would otherwise be the worse idea you ever had-get a pet for your kids this Christmas. Make it a rescue cat. Take the kids to the shelter. Make them aware of how animals end up in these places. Make them aware that the animals have their own individual personalities and self awareness. Have them feel the depth of sadness for those you won’t be taking home, but will spent their many Christmases in those cages. Inspire your kids to think about these things.
Besides, nobody will teach your children boundaries better than a cat.