{"id":57290,"date":"2022-09-14T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T01:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shopee.com.my\/blog\/?p=57290"},"modified":"2022-09-14T12:59:55","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T04:59:55","slug":"easy-low-maintenance-pets-to-take-care-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shopee.com.my\/blog\/easy-low-maintenance-pets-to-take-care-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Kid Ready For A Pet? Here Are 6 Questions To Ask Yourself And 7 Easy Pets To Consider"},"content":{"rendered":"

Has your kid been pleading for a pet? And promising to take care of every single chore if you got them one? Well, they may <\/span>say <\/span><\/i>that they\u2019re ready, but when reality sets in, the task of caring for a pet may be more than some kids can handle. It\u2019s no small feat, depending on the animal you choose, and it often means extra responsibilities and even lifestyle changes. As a parent, the last thing you want is to take care of the pet all on your own. So if you\u2019re trying to figure out your child\u2019s maturity and readiness, we\u2019re here to help. Ask yourself the questions below, then consider our round-up of <\/span>easy pets to take care of<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Getting A Pet<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Credit: Jep Gambardella<\/a> via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is Your Child Mature Enough For A Pet?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to wait until your child is mature enough to handle and care for a <\/span>pet<\/span><\/a>, even if it\u2019s an <\/span>easy pet to take care of<\/span>. This is because children below the age of 5 or 6 may find it difficult to distinguish a pet from a <\/span>toy<\/span><\/a> and may accidentally provoke an attack through teasing or mistreatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your child is ready, reading pet care <\/span>books<\/span><\/a> or visiting a relative or family friend with a gentle pet can help them understand what taking care of one entails. Just remember to always keep your little one supervised in the presence of any animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit: Mikhail Vasilyev<\/a> via Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Is Your Child Comfortable And Respectful Around Animals?<\/span><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to find out if your child actually<\/em> enjoys being around animals and isn\u2019t just saying it. Do they tend to interact with pets? Or are they often frightened in the company of animals? If it\u2019s the latter, it might be better to have a pet only when they\u2019re older.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children may also tend to give unsolicited attention to pets by riding, petting, or chasing them. This can provoke a defence mechanism in pets. If your child isn\u2019t able to comprehend that animals sometimes need their own space, they\u2019re likely not ready to be around one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can Your Child Handle Simple House Chores On Their Own?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Healthy habits like <\/span>brushing teeth<\/span><\/a>, putting away <\/span>dirty dishes<\/span><\/a>, and completing homework on time can all be telltale signs of your child\u2019s ability to be a pet owner. They demonstrate a sense of responsibility, which can be advantageous when it comes to feeding, walking, or cleaning up after the pet. Otherwise, you may end up doing all of the pet care!<\/span><\/p>\n

A little test you could do is to add an extra task to your child\u2019s day and see how they fare. You could also get your kid to pet-sit or volunteer at an <\/span>animal shelter<\/span><\/a> to see how they interact and care for animals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit: Sam Lion<\/a> via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Does Your Child Want To Find The Right Fit?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Each household has a different lifestyle, and not every pet will be a right fit for your family. For instance, if you <\/span>travel<\/span><\/a> often, an active dog is probably not ideal. But a pet that requires much less attention, like a fish or cat, may be a better alternative.<\/span><\/p>\n

If your child is adamant on having a particular pet and isn\u2019t able to compromise on what\u2019s best for the family, they may not be mature enough to take on the responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are You Ready To Pick Up The Slack?<\/span><\/h3>\n

As important as it is to gauge your child\u2019s readiness, it is also important to gauge your own. If your child forgets to feed or walk the pet, or doesn\u2019t have time to do it, you will have to take it on. You\u2019ll also be financially responsible for the pet\u2019s <\/span>healthcare<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>grooming<\/span><\/a>, among other things. So ask yourself if you\u2019re 100% ready to pull your weight.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko<\/a> via Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Are There Any Health And Safety Issues To Consider?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Apart from choosing animals or breeds that are gentle with kids, you\u2019ll also need to consider any potential allergies arising from the care of a pet. Pet dander, fur, or feathers can sometimes cause allergic reactions. So introducing a pet into the house may not be a good idea if your child is prone to allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Almost all types of pets can also be a potential source of disease. So do ensure that your child practises good hygiene measures, such as <\/span>washing their hands<\/span><\/a> after feeding or playing with a pet.<\/span><\/p>\n

7 <\/span>Easy Pets<\/span> For Kids <\/span>To Take Care Of<\/span><\/h2>\n

If your child is mature enough to care for a pet, consider starting with any of these <\/span>low maintenance pets<\/span> for a flatter learning curve.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Hamster<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Hamster
Credit: Ricky Kharawala<\/a> via Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When you think about <\/span>easy pets to take care of<\/span>, this furry rodent comes to mind first. They make a great first pet for your child, as they\u2019re low-maintenance, quiet, and tame enough to (gently) hold. They\u2019re also a treat to watch on the <\/span>exercise wheel<\/span><\/a>! To make a comfy <\/span>hamster abode<\/span><\/a>, include a <\/span>water bottle<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>food bowl<\/span><\/a>, said wheel, and a generous spread of <\/span>hamster bedding<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to care:<\/b><\/p>\n