"Mom, dad, can we have a puppy?" Sooner or later, your little one will ask you this question, opening a domestic debate about whether it is a good idea I have a dog (or other type of pet) at home. Your school friends may have one, they are cute and children love them, but they also generate new responsibilities and, therefore, before deciding if you want a new member in the family there is a series of questions you will have to ask yourself. Who will take care of him? Which pet is more suitable? What hygiene measures to take? We will address these and other issues related to having pets in a house with children.
New responsibilities, will there be time for more work?
There is no doubt that having a pet at home is synonymous with joy and fun for the entire family. For children it can be very positive to have an animal with whom to share moments of play and affection, but a companion animal It's not a toy, and having a pet implies a certain availability to take care of your care and needs.
With a pet at home, children learn new social skills, as a positive discipline and patience, since they must take care of them at certain times, teach them where to pee, not to bite things and sleep in their space.
In addition, having a pet is a new responsibility for the whole family. Although the children they can take care of many of their tasks, for example, the little ones can take care of putting food and water on them every day, while the older ones can take them out for a walk or bathe and brush them, you should keep in mind that a pet will mean a extra time for you. Therefore, it is important that you know how you will organize at home, if your children can take certain care, if your work schedules allow you to take it for a walk frequently or who will take care of it during the holidays.
Which pet is more suitable?
Dogs, cats, domestic birds, turtles, hamsters, fish ... The fan is very wide and, although each child has their preferences, you should consider what physical space You have to host one or another animal. If you live in a large house, with a large garden or terrace, choosing between one or the other will not be a matter of square meters. But if your flat is small, you should keep in mind that a large dog needs its space to move freely. In this case, you can opt for a smaller dog, such as the French bulldog or the yorkshire, or for another type of pet, such as a cat, a bird or a rodent.
He time and availability For their care it also influences a lot when choosing one or another pet, since some animal species require minimal care and are much more independent. Some pets are more suitable for a family environment. Therefore, although they are fashionable, it is advisable to flee from those that result little suitable for a house with children, such as reptiles or exotic rodents.
If you are determined to have a pet, you should consider the possibility of adopt or welcome one of the many animals that are in the shelters or shelters, since it will also be a way to give them a new home and not have to bear the cost of buying one.
Hygiene and safety
With pets at home, you have to take some precautions related to the safety of children and hygiene. On the one hand, it is convenient that in the case of dogs and cats, we are always present while they play, since they may accidentally hurt them with their teeth or nails.
Although having a pet is associated with a better immune system and having fewer pathologies such as asthma or allergies, pets should not lick their hands or face of the little ones. In addition, it is important to emphasize the importance of wash your hands well after playing with them or feeding them.
With regard to cleaning the home, if you have a pet with fur, such as dogs or cats, you should daily vacuum the common areas, such as sofas or the floor. In the case of garments such as blankets or cushions, they must be washed separately at least a couple of times a month. For white or light garments, you can add Neutrex with bleach and thus give an extra disinfection.
In a house where pets live, a product with bleach and detergent like Estrella It is essential to disinfect and combat odors, since it is capable of eliminating the microorganisms that cause these odors. It also serves to neutralize and eliminate mites and allergens, such as pollen, dust and pet hair, agents that can cause allergies.
As you can see, having a pet at home can be very appropriate if you take into account some general considerations, which pet suits you best for your family organization, for the type of housing or the age of your children. In any case, it will be a new responsibility that you must take very seriously since a pet is not a toy.
Photos | iStock: Catherine Yeulet / Antonio_Diaz / shironosov
