Would you like to please your child with a small dog, a rabbit-ram or a kitten? Before cracking, think carefully about what it will require of you in terms of involvement and investment over the long term. The advice of veterinarian Jean Cuvelier.
Having a pet is the dream of many children, often granted by a cute ball of fur on the occasion of a birthday or Christmas. An undeniable pleasure and with many virtues for children, but for parents, it involves many constraints in the long term.. Who to take it out morning and evening? To whom to give it to keep during the holidays? How to budget for care and maintenance? Because adopting isn’t everything, you still have to respect this commitment to the animal to ensure it a life… certainly not a dog! Here are all the advice from veterinarian Jean Cuvelier for choosing and adopting a pet.
What questions should you ask yourself before getting a pet?
One in two French people owns a pet, but each year, 100,000 are abandoned. A decree published on July 20, 2022 in the Official Journal defines the new rules governing the acquisition of a pet. Thus, to avoid compulsive purchases, people acquiring a cat or dog “for a fee or free of charge” (or a horse for professionals) will receive a “certificate of commitment and knowledge”, specifying the needs of the animals, and the obligations that the owners will have to respect. Ask yourself the right questions: will you have enough space to accommodate it, time to take it out, have you thought about the financial aspect? Ultimately, two solutions are available to you : either you categorically refuse by calmly explaining to him that you do not wish to have animals for various reasons (question of allergies, budget, space, etc.). Either you are not against the idea, but you must first evaluate all that it implies. “What is the life expectancy of the chosen companion? Do we have the necessary budget? What will we do with the animal when we go on vacation? Am I ready to supervise the maintenance of the animal? ” will be so many questions that you will have to ask yourself before acquiring your animal.
Welcoming an animal at home: what are the benefits for the child?
Having a pet means, first of all, develop a sense of responsibility. Indeed, according to veterinarian Jean Cuvelier, “Taking care of your pet includes a series of tasks and duties: changing the straw in the cage, bringing water and food morning and evening, playing with it regularly, giving it affection“. These practices go in the direction of a autonomy for the child is able to take care of someone else, and thus derives real personal satisfaction from it. What’s more, welcoming an animal when the child is very young allows him to develop body language. Very young, the child does not know how to use sentences to communicate and must therefore learn to express himself differently. The vet explains:With the pet, the toddler learns a non-verbal language, that is to say the bodily expression of his feelings. He will develop his senses, touch, sight, hearing, smell to better “understand” his animal and communicate with him” Indeed, we must not forget that animals have a real language of their own. The child who does not yet speak will be more receptive to the world around him, and will learn to decode the expectations and needs of his animal more easily. In short, a real apprenticeship in life!
What budget?
First of all, know thata pet represents a big investment in terms of budget : food, care (veterinarian, groomer), insurance (liability insurance, health insurance), hygiene products (shampoo, dewormer, brush, comb…), and equipment (collar, leash, cage, bowl, games, etc.). It is therefore necessary to consider this financial aspect as a priority before embarking on the furball adventure!
Do you have enough space?
Of course, if you opt for a goldfish or a rodent, the question of space does not arise (unless you are often away from home). On the other hand, if your choice is a dog or a cat, you must take into account its future place of life, and even more, if its size is important. Do you own a garden? Do you have enough coins for him to stretch his legs? Where can he sleep? Take the time to ask yourself these questions before you commit.
What should I do with my dog or my cat during the holidays?
If the resort where you are going for the holidays accepts animals, know that it is not the same everywhere. You must then imperatively know who would be the person likely to take care of your animal during your travels. Otherwise, you can book a place in a specialized pension or use a home care system (a solution that is often expensive).
Pet: what if my child is allergic?
Cough, red eyes, runny nose are all symptoms that reveal sensitivity to allergens, in you or your child. To prevent this from happening, do not hesitate to go to an allergist who will give you skin or blood tests. If you, a member of the household or your child are allergic, be aware that treatments are possible (antihistamines, corticosteroids). Nevertheless, it is often preferable not to adopt the animal in question. In children predisposed to allergies, a series of measures should be put in place: sterilize the animal, ventilate the room every day, have wooden floors, wash your hands after petting the coat, etc.
Which animal to choose?
Cat
It is a solitary and independent animal, which may suit independent profiles
The dog
The dog generally requires much more care and attention (you have to take it out every day). Regarding the breed, it is better to inquire beforehand with a breeder or a veterinarian to find out which ones get along best with children.
Be careful if you plan to conceive another child and you are not immune to toxoplasmosis: avoid taking a cat for a while…
The guinea pig and the dwarf rabbit
They are animals at first fearful, then very quickly affectionate. They are more suitable for small children. If children aged 7-8 can take care of it (feed it, clean its cage, play with it), the youngest must be under the supervision of their parents.
The fish
Attention, if the aesthetic effect of an aquarium can impress more than one at the beginning, children can also quickly get tired, because of the very limited interaction with these animals.
The New Pets (NAC)
The turtle, the rat, the mouse, the iguana or even the birds are more suitable for adolescents and adults and require much more care. Namely: some of them like the chinchilla or the mouse live at night, which does not allow you to forge many links with the animal.
| Extra advice: Know that if you do not want it, other solutions exist to satisfy your child’s desire: long walks in the woods or pony rides are all opportunities to observe and approach animals (squirrels, rabbits, deer…), animal parks (just about everywhere in France), the Salon de l’Agriculture, educational farms, etc. |