Question:

Should I get a pet for my toddler?

We are considering getting a dog or cat, but I am not sure they are okay for a toddler. Would another pet be better, or is a toddler too young for a pet altogether?

 

Answer: 

Growing up with a pet offers many benefits for children. There’s the undeniable lesson in responsibility and selflessness that’s learned by caring for something else. There’s the cherished experience of sharing time with a pet that loves your little one.

There are even studies that show that a dog or cat might help lower your child’s risk of allergies. Of course, the reality of managing a pet and a toddler is not always as rosy and happy as those lovely pictures of children. Before you commit to welcoming a dog or any other animal into your family, consider your household’s routine, ability to care for a pet, and your child’s disposition.

 

While you might have good intentions of enriching your little one’s childhood by introducing a pet companion, the toddler years may not be the right time to bring a new pet into the house. In fact, if you’re thinking of going to a dog shelter or rescue, you might be surprised to find that they are reluctant to offer dogs to families with very young children. It’s hard to pinpoint a “right” age for a child when she’ll be ready to have a pet. A better question may be: Are you ready to juggle both a toddler and a pet? Keep in mind that you will not only need to care for both; you’ll need to be able to watch that your dog or cat doesn’t get aggressive or frighten your tot, and you need to be sure that your child can treat your pet with affection and the gentleness that animals need.

 

Considering Cats
Cats may seem a good choice for a toddler pet since they are fairly independent and my not interact extensively with young children. But cats and toddlers can be a difficult match. A toddler’s sudden squeals or unpredictable motions can make a cat defensive or irritable, causing problems. That doesn’t mean you should forget bringing kitty and kids together. Rather, you need to be careful about how you introduce cats and children  and work to teach both how to care for and respect each other.

 

Doggie Love
Bringing together a dog and a small child looks great on YouTube, but in reality, you should consider keeping your canine pal and your toddler separated for the most part – at least until you’ve trained both parties to handle, interact, and respect each other. You can use child gates to create separate spaces for your pet and your toddler, which will prevent misunderstandings (baby pulls dog’s tails, dog snaps at baby, much unhappiness and possibly pain follows). This doesn’t mean you should never bring toddler and puppy together. However, you should watch them closely when they are playing or even just near each other and take the time to teach your dog and toddler how to interact with each other.

 

Other Pets
While canines and felines are the most popular household pets, they are not the only animals that can share your home or delight your child. You may want to consider smaller exotic pets, and animals that don't bite or shed as a companion for your toddler.