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While welcoming a new animal addition to the family can be a big choice, there are many benefits to giving your child the opportunity to have a pet. Not only do animals provide fun, comfort and companionship, but a pet can also be a fabulous way to teach your child about responsibility. By asking your child to look after the wellbeing of something else they learn a lot of life lessons in an enjoyable and enriching experience. However, choosing which type of animal is best suited to being your child's first pet is a whole different ball game.

The age of your child is a big factor when considering pet choices; very young children often have trouble recognising how fragile animals can be. This means that sturdier and larger animals such as dogs and cats could be a better choice for very young children than hamsters or guinea pigs. When your child reaches school age, they will have developed better empathetic skills and will be better suited to being able to care for an animal.

Introducing your child to pets with low maintenance animals such as fish can be a good idea if you're not sure they will adapt to more demanding pets quickly. However, fish lack some of the cuddly and interactive qualities that encourage children to develop a bond with their pets. Birds fall into a similar category, although some breeds of bird are friendlier than others, but you should remember that a bird can be a serious commitment – for example, parrots can live for up to 70 years. Dogs can be an excellent first pet as they provide high levels of companionship. Dogs are also generally quite tolerant of young children, although it's a good idea to think about the size of dog you are buying in comparison to the age and size of your child and you don't want either to be overpowered by the other. What's more, the majority of children first encounter death through their pets, so choosing larger pets with a longer lifespan may be a good idea for younger children.

You'll also have to prepare yourself to broach the subject and deal with your child's questions when deciding to buy them a pet. Make sure your child is also ready to look after the wellbeing of their animal and be prepared to step in if not. Don't forget to also buy pet insurance to help protect you and your new pet. Janine Barclay writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

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