6 Happy Animals That Make Perfect Pets For Kids

Having a pet is more about creating emotional bonding skills in kids. In a world with lesser social interaction and smaller families, a pet can be a great way to learn to nurture valuable life lessons like caring for siblings and near ones.

Pets to take home for kids

1. Dog - Kids love dogs. They are the first animal that comes to everyone's mind when thinking about adopting one. Having a cuddly little puppy to care for and bond with is priceless. Choose the breed and dog size based on your accommodation type. If you are introducing pets, small, less furry, kid-friendly and less aggressive ones would be a good idea.
2. Cats - Cats are more adored by kids. They are small and easy to accommodate in smaller spaces. These little felines love to be pampered, and given their size, they can be a good pet for kids of younger ages too. However, they are slightly more adamant and independent than dogs and can sometimes be demanding to handle. 
3. Tortoise - The most favourable reptile to get as a pet are exotic pet tortoises. After the new rules for endangered species, you need to find turtles or tortoises legally allowed to own. Turtles have a long life if provided with favourable temperatures and survival conditions, which means a long commitment. Turtles need more specific care than mammals, and a vet clinic nearby specialises in exotic pet care.
4. Rabbit - The lovable bunnies are favourites everywhere, from real life to cartoons to plush toys. They are easy to tame, delicate, and not ferocious. These are more suitable if you have a garden, lawn or an open space for them to run around. They are social creatures and require attention; hence older kids can take better care, like picking vegetables, cleaning little and changing the bedding.
5. Birds - This category of house pets has options to choose from a large variety of species. You have to choose birds that are easy to manage with affordable food and care. Although Flying is inherent to birds, caging them is not necessary. The pet birds can make a home in an open birdhouse, fly around and find their nest back home. Parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels are some popular homely pet birds.
6. Fishes - Watching fishes glide in the water helps calm and regulate emotions in children. Fishes being aquatic animals, require a specific set-up - an aquarium with temperature adjustment, food and care. Having fish as pets can be challenging if you travel a lot, as they need water cleaning and food at specific intervals. But even small kids can feed them and help clean the water in the aquarium.

Things to Consider Before You Decide to Bring In a Pet

Before you bring in a pet, you need to face the facts given below. It will be a long-term commitment, and here's what you must deal with.

1. Always buy from an authorised pet store only. 
2. Make sure the kid doesn't have any animal-related allergies.
3. Ensure the pet is legally allowed to be owned and is a healthy-bred species.
4. Make sure you know the lifespan of the pet. Cats and gods live up to ten years, and tortoises can outlive you! 
5. The pet will need a dedicated space depending on their size, but yes, they will need it.
6. You'll need to plan who will manage the pet in your family's absence.
7. Discuss beforehand the pet's responsibility and the type of work involved. Assign the roles to each member, including your kid. Even the kid should know that a pet will mean accountability as well.
8. Understand your child's needs. Whether they want a pet to play with or one that needs tendering and care, and nothing much hands-on. Choose the pet based on your child's personality. 
9. If your child loses interest in the pet, or if they are older and move out for study, you have to take up the responsibility of the pet.
10. Make sure you choose a size, species, and breed based on your financial budget you can dedicate to the additional member in the house. Calculate the expenses of a vet, food, bedding, and nesting place. This should, however, not demotivate you. You can discuss your openly with the pet shop before taking the decision.

Benefits of Having a Pet at Home

1. The kids learn to take responsibility in life.
2. They become emotionally stable through a companion who listens to them and loves them unconditionally.
3. The child learns self-restraint, patience and selflessness.
4. Emotional bonding with the pet develops the importance of trust in relationships.
5. If and when the pet passes away, it prepares the kids to face emotional turmoil at later ages.
6. Pets are therapeutic, and children regulate emotions.

Do you wonder why a family reluctantly adopts a pet but starts treating it like their child? The reason is simple pets bond like a family member and becomes like one.