Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- A home for the pet
- Your child
Step1
The first thing to consider when choosing your child's pet is what kind of space do you have and what size animal can you accommodate. A large dog, for example, is going to need a nice yard while a hamster will only need a cage. Knowing before you go searching what type of animal you will get will make the selection process easier.
Step2
Before selecting your pet, think about your finances. A hamster, for example, is going to require very small amounts of food and very little vet care. A large dog, on the other hand, is going to require a much larger amount of food and routine vet visits for vaccinations and preventative care.
Step3
Consider how much time you have to invest in the animal. A dog is going to want lots of attention while a cat will be content laying around the house all day alone. The animal's happiness is important too so know beforehand how much time you will be able to spend with it.
Step4
Think about your child. Is you child old enough for the responsibility of a pet? What kind of pet will your child be most helpful with? Those puppies and kittens turn into cats and dogs. Think about whether or not you think your child will still have interest in the animal's care when that happens.
Step5
Consider boarding options for the pet when you are away. Kennels are always and option, but can be pricey on a budget. Finding someone to feed a fish will be a lot easier than finding someone to care for a dog.
Step6
In the end, remember to think with your brain and not your heart. Baby animals are hard to resist and purchasing the wrong animal for your family can lead to some broken hearts later. It's better to say no to that puppy now than be forced to give him or her away later after the family has potentially become attached.
Novice 
