Parents: How to Deal with Kids Begging for Pets

We all have our reasons for either allowing a pet, or not allowing it.  We have to make those reasons clear to the child.  If it is a simply matter such as the landlord will not allow a pet, then explain it to them that way, but never lie or blame somebody if that is not the case.  If there are household allergies to cats, your child may soon counter act with wanting an Iguana, so you also need to determine if your answer is "NO" to all pets, or just to some. 

Pets are a lot of work, I have several pets from tiny walking stick insects to larger outdoor animals such as horses, however you may not share my love for animals, nor my willingness to commit my time to feeding and caring for them.  Everyone is different, above all children MUST understand that a pet is a lifetime commitment, and in most cases they are not able to make that commitment, so it rests on you as an adult to accept the full responsibility for an animal.  Kids will promise the moon if they think it will mean you will say yes, but as an adult we  have to realize they are just saying what they think we want to hear.  To expect a child to care fully for a pet, is unfair to the child, and ultimately unfair to the pet.

So you have to decide, does "NO" mean "no" or does it mean "Maybe".  Never say "Maybe" if you don't mean it. 
Ask yourself  if there are any pets you would allow.  Pets are great for keeping children focused, for showing them that there are other things to be compassionate about.  Pets teach responsibility, and in some cases encourage activity for otherwise lazy kids.  So consider this and possibly come to a mutual agreement.

If there is no way you are getting any pet, you have to tell your child this, and make it clear that you do not want to be asked again.  Set a punishment for them and stick to it, if they ask again, no television for 2 days.  If however you are open to suggestions here is what you do.

1  Have your child write a list of what pets they might want, along with at least 3 pros and cons for each. 

2  Have your child write a weekly plan on how they are going to give time for care to this pet as well as other responsibilites such as school and friends.

3  Have your child show commitment by keeping their room clean and helping with housework.  Remember though, not to use this as a cheap way to get more help, only ask them to do this if you are really considering getting a pet.

4  If money is a concern, have the child show willingness to sacrifce somethings in order to allow you to have more money for pet supplies and such.  An example would be if a child said they didn't need so many new clothes, or was willing to get rid of their cell phone if they have one.

5 Review the childs list and other actions.

6  Reseach the pets for yourself.  One of the best ways to get honest information about any pet, is to go to your local Animal Shelter or SPCA ( a vet can tell you if you have one in your area if you do not know) you can go and look at the pets, and talk to the staff about an animals requirements, as well as the pros and cons.  Shelter staff will be far more open and honest than a pet store employee who mearly wants a sale.  Shelters have the main interest of having the pet get a forever home.

7 Make it 100% clear to the child that you are getting a pet on your terms with their agreement to help care for it (help care for it means you still have to oversee that the care is provided and fill in when they cannot).  Tell them not to beg further and set a time frame for looking at getting a pet, be honest, stick to it. 

Now when you are ready to get a pet, again I would suggest the shelter as a first place to look, unless you want a purebred registered pet, in which case you are best to find a reputable breeder.  Shelters have lower prices on the whole and are more honest.  I have seen all too many innocent first time pet owners be taken advantage of, and overcharged by pet stores and back yard breeders.  As a rule if a pet does not have registration papers, and its parents do not have show records to prove they were worthy of being bred, the cost for that pet should be exactly what the shelters charge for adoptions.

Additionally you should never pay a cent for a pet that has not been seen by a vet, vaccinated, or dewormed (as in the case of cats and dogs mostly).  Pet Stores and Back yard breeders are in the business for profit, so you could very well be paying too much for what you get, and they generally will not stand behind the animal they sold to you, so "buyer beware".  Reputable Breeders and Shelters will offer guarantees and contracts.   Do your research too, don't get the wrong breed of dog for example and regret it later. 

Finally all pets should be "FAMILY PETS" never belonging soley to a child.  If you need to make a medical decision for the pet, it is your decision as an adult to make, if the child moves out and cannot take the pet with them, the animals life is yours to look after, not to abandon.  Good luck with making the right choice.