|
 For some families buying toys for their children at the holidays
seems simple enough. Buy them some toys, throw in a few pieces of
clothing for good measure, despite the likely cries of “Why did
Santa bring me socks?” - Wrap them up, and behold - the children are
ready for Christmas and vice-versa.
For others, toys are not enough. There are parents who feel that a
toy or game is too easy and too obvious of a choice.
Admit it, some of you are thinking, “What if I get my kid a pet for
Christmas? Surely every kid wants a pet, and it will be a great
addition to the family!”
This may create a lovely image at first, but you may not want to
break out the kennel or cage quite yet.
Cost
For the gift-giver at Christmas, cost is usually kept in the back of
the mind. While a toy or a piece of children’s clothing usually
falls on the cheaper side, a pet could give the whole family more
bang for their buck. After all, a toy can break two minutes after it
is unwrapped, but a pet can last for years.
Initial cost is usually the first number that comes to mind. For
example, at the Logan County Humane Society, a dog can be adopted
for $97 and a cat for $50. However, a pet cannot be expected to
survive off of table scraps for a routine schedule of chow. A pet
can be just as picky as their youthful masters when it comes to
food.
According to Wanda Stevens of the Logan County Humane Society,
“[parents] have to have the finances to properly care for the pet,
such as shots, spay/neuter, heartworm preventative, flea
preventative, and whatever else comes along.”
Combine these costs and then multiply that by at least ten years,
and those costs will climb. Keep in mind that Rover or Kitty may
knock over the living room as they learn to “play” in their
environment. Suddenly that eight-dollar action figure sounds like a
better idea.
Are you prepared?
It is common to hear at Christmas, “if you don’t like it or it
doesn’t fit, we can always take it back.” This is not the same
attitude one should have when picking out a pet. Sure, you could
take a pet back to the pet store or the shelter; but pets, like any
other family member, will form attachments.
In addition, dogs and cats tend to live for at least ten or twelve
years, and other pets, birds for instance, can live even longer.
This may sound like another charming series of memories. Buying a
puppy or kitten for a toddler and watching them grow up together
sounds like something from the Family Channel. But that may not be
the best idea.
Young children are not the best at taking care of pets for obvious
reasons. For several years after they are born, kids cannot take
care of themselves, let alone other living beings.
According to Stevens, “the parents [should] realize they will be the
people caring for the pet even if the child says he will be
responsible.” Kids need education and understanding on pet care,
such as proper feeding, or when to give them exercise, or take them
to the vet. Unfortunately, that takes time to sink in, meaning
parents will likely have to take care of the pet initially.
[to top of second column] |
Caged pets come with an extra caveat in the form of an extra chore every week;
cleaning their cage, or in the case of some, tank. Parents today have a hard
enough time keeping up with home chores and getting kids to clean their own
rooms, let alone anyone else’s.
On a related note, kids are known to want something just to say they want it,
play with it twice, and quickly move on to something else. A dog or cat will not
stay ignored like the other toys on the shelf, and a caged pet still needs some
kind of stimulation to be healthy, even fish are known to respond to stimuli of
human interactions.
Furthermore, some children are not so gentle with their belongings, and a pet
will not always respond well to that. It is unfortunate that in these moments,
the dog or cat is sometimes blamed instead. One would think that a small child
pulling on their ears would make anyone upset.
“Small children and pets do not always make a good fit. Parents get upset when a
dog or cat scratches or nips a small child, but often times the pet is telling
the child to leave him alone. Toddlers are notorious for pulling, tugging, and
generally bothering dogs. Some will take the ‘abuse’ and others will not,” says
Stevens.
Should it be a surprise?
A surprise gift at Christmas can lead to two reactions. The recipient will sit
in shock or make that crooked kind-of-half smile and say “Thank you” with an
upward inflection.
The latter is definitely not an appropriate reaction to having a new four-legged
member of the family. This is especially true if the child has never said
anything about wanting a pet or if they have interacted with an animal before.
While adults may think a puppy licking their face is cute, a child may have no
idea how to react.
“I firmly believe that a child should be part of the choosing process;
especially if the pet is to be the child's,” says Stevens.
A pet for Christmas may sound like a good idea, and for many families it
certainly can work itself out in the long run. But do yourself a favor and be
sure everyone is ready before hand.
Now, has anyone seen the cat? He’s probably stuck in the Christmas tree again.
|
