What do you think about babies/children having pets?

Question

I have always wanted a cat and the only reason I think it may be a bad idea is because I have a 6 month old son. However, is it true that having a pet is a positive thing for young children?

Answer 1

Having pets can help children develop kindness, compassion, patience and responsibility. When their pets die, it also helps them learn about death.

At 6 months old, your son obviously wont be able to feed the pet and learn responsibility from it but as he and the pet grows, they can do more together.

I had cats (and dogs) from the time I was born and I can say that being around animals was very comforting and I always had someone to play with.

Cats are good for people with disabilities, so I think having a cat with a child age 6 months will do no harm.

Answer 2

this will help your child to respect animals from a yound age and also to understand about caring for animals. I think it is a very positive thing. If you think it might be a bad thing you could wait until he has more understanding of animals when he is about one year old :) Hope this helps.

Answer 3

absolutely! having pets is GREAT!!!!!!!!! i have about 16-17 of them! kitten, doggies, gerbils, fish.   i think pets are good for kids to have a companion, and to learn responsibility!

i beleive if you introduce a new pet to your son at a young age, both the child and the animal will learn to be gentle to each other and love each other. i used to have a greyhound, and i was little at the time. she got used to me right away and would sleep next to my crib when i was in it. i also used to have a cat when i hwas a baby and i would always play with her and get excited-she never got upset or angry. she just played along.

i think getting a kitten is great because both the child and the kitten are young, and will grow and learn together. that way, the cat wont scratch or be mean to your baby since he knows him well.

hope this helps! please consider getting a kitten!!!!!

Answer 4

You can get one, but just don't let your baby be around your pet unsupervised.  He or she might pull his tail and the cat might scratch your baby, and you don't want the cat being hurt by the baby.  You can teach the baby over time how to treat the cat and to be gentle with it.l

Answer 5

Its very positive and harmless as long as they are both watched and parented