When is the right time to let my children have a pet? This is a question many vets are asked in the course of their working day. It’s also a question I’ve been asking myself, as I raise my two small children in a (currently) pet-free home. To mark February’s Responsible Pet Owners month, let’s think through how best to introduce a pet to a home with children.
Do pets and children mix?
Pets bring us happiness and companionship, with 91% of the owners responding to the PDSA’s 2024 PAW Report by saying that pet ownership improves their life. There is a lot of research to highlight the benefits pets can bring to children as well. They can help improve a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Many parents feel that looking after a pet creates a sense of responsibility and teaches their child about empathy and caregiving. These are vital skills for young children to learn as they progress through to adulthood.
The benefits of pets for children may go even further than that, as it has been suggested that pets can positively influence a child’s social skills and cognitive development. They help to reduce stress, and for children with autism and their families, pets have been a vital means of support.
A 2020 study from University of Perth looked at around 4000 children aged between five and seven years and found that pet ownership was associated with fewer problems with friendship groups. In separate research, they found that children aged between two and five years with a family dog were more active, spent less time on screens, and slept better. Going on family dog walks seemed to make all the difference here.
But what do our pets think about living with kids?
Are they happy with the arrangement? Well, this all depends on the experiences they might have had with children during their early life. Both dogs and cats have a brief period of time, called the socialisation window, where they learn about life as a pet. For puppies, this lasts from the age of 3 weeks to around 16 weeks of age. For cats, the window is even shorter, closing at around 7 weeks of age. During this period, they must have positive experiences with the types of objects, sounds and people that they might encounter in their lives. If they are to successfully live with children, they must have regular, positive contact with them during this period of time. If they don’t, they are likely to always be wary of them and may never feel fully relaxed in the company of kids.
Considering the responsibility of mixing pets and children
Generally, since many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it may be safest to wait until your child is over the age of four. But each child differs in their maturity level, and in their behaviour around animals. For example, some 10-year-olds may be too boisterous and impatient around pets, whereas there may be some 6-year-olds who are calm around animals and may be ready to be responsible.
A child cannot legally own a pet until they are 16 years of age in the UK
It’s important to remember that in the eyes of the law, the pet is going to be the parent’s responsibility, and you will be the owner. It’s hard for a child to understand the long-term responsibility pet ownership entails. You need to be prepared for the initial excitement and novelty of pet ownership to wear off for your child, leaving you with all the day-to-day pet care duties over the pet’s lifetime.
Owners have a responsibility to meet the Five Welfare Needs of pets, under the Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. If you are thinking about owning a dog, it’s worth reading about DEFRA’s Code of practice for the welfare of dogs, and if you are a potential cat owner, read the Code of practice for the welfare of cats. Ask yourself the question – am I able to provide what is needed to keep my pet happy and healthy for the rest of their life?
Pets are expensive
There is no real cheap and easy option to keep them well cared for. When it comes to costs, it’s not just the initial purchase price that you’ll need to factor in. For example, you’ll first need to buy a lead, collar and tag for your puppy, or a safe and sturdy cat carrier for your kitten. Your puppy or kitten will need to be vaccinated, microchipped (compulsory for all dogs and cats in England), neutered, and treated for
Then there are the ongoing costs – food, toys, cat litter, dog poo bags, monthly insurance, and yearly health checks. This works out at a minimum spend of between £57-97 per month. Don’t forget to budget for unexpected costs too. Some insurance policies don’t cover dental treatments for example, or special medical diets. If you go on holiday or fall ill, you may need to pay a pet sitter or boarding kennel or cattery to take care of your pet.
Time is crucial
As well as the financial implications, you’ll need to consider how much time you can dedicate to looking after your pet. Dogs thrive best with a predictable daily schedule of exercise and companionship. While cats are generally independent creatures, they also need reliable companionship with their owner, and a stable, predictable environment. Dogs and cats may live for fourteen years or more. Some will require more of your time than others. For example, long haired pets require daily grooming and if your pet gets sick, you may need to administer medication at regular intervals throughout the day.
Ensuring a good relationship from the start
When you introduce a pet to your family, you need to consider the pet’s welfare first. Don’t just choose a pet because of how it looks!
If your pet has not had much contact with children during that crucial socialisation period, they may not be happy to be with your children at home. Ask about your potential pet’s socialisation period at the outset. The rescue centre or breeder should be able to demonstrate that the animal has had positive experiences with children during that very early period in their life. Enlist their help and be honest about your home life and children’s activity and patience levels. If not, then this pet might not be a good fit for your family.
Initial introductions need to be positive for the relationship to get off on the right foot. Introductions should be done in a calm, comfortable environment. For cats and kittens, it’s worth letting them get to know their environment first, before introducing them to your children. Cats Protection have some great information about how to introduce your child to their new cat or kitten successfully.
When introducing a new dog, have your children sit quietly and bring the dog in to meet them. Make sure these experiences are positive for your dog or puppy and children by encouraging your child to throw treats on the floor for them. If your new pet seems stressed or uncomfortable, remove them from the situation and try again later when calm.
Other points to keep in mind when getting your kids a pet
It’s important for children to recognise the importance of being calm and quiet around a pet, especially as the animal gets comfortable in their new home. To help with this, it’s good to discuss the responsibilities with your children ahead of introducing a new pet. Think about both the needs of the pet and the safety of your children. Remember that even a well-socialised animal is allowed to have an off-day and they will not always feel comfortable around children. Equally, not all children feel comfortable around pets. Relationships shouldn’t be forced. Take early steps to help children recognise the subtle signs a dog, cat or rabbit may show if they feel uncomfortable, afraid, or anxious.
Supervision is also important
Even if your children are respectful of the pet, you will need to closely supervise interactions between your young children and the animal. You’ll want to protect your children from being bitten or scratched in response to rough handling, but you’ll also need to protect your pet from experiencing any emotional or physical distress as a result of an interaction with your child. Children don’t always recognise when a pet gets overstimulated or irritated. Your children should be old enough to understand not to put their face near the animal’s face, and not to tease a pet by grabbing toys or treats from them. Also, young children should be kept away from pets when they are eating or sleeping.
To help build their bond, your child might like to take part in obedience training with you, which can also help them learn how to properly handle a dog or puppy, and to train using positive reinforcement. Your children will need to understand that a pet should never be shouted at or hit. While it’s likely that you will be doing most of the work taking care of the pet, it’s still important to get your children involved in their care. Children who are older than five can be expected to help with daily duties such as refilling the water bowl or grooming.
With the right considerations in place from the beginning, a family pet can thrive, and this relationship may be one that your child cherishes for the rest of their life.
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