Purrfect Pets For Little People

By Dr Katrina Warren on June 15, 2011 in Other

I am a big believer that pets make wonderful teachers for children. Pets teach kids about responsibility and how to care for another living being. Children consider pets to be valued family members and turn to them as friends and confidantes. Plus, they teach children about life and death.

Of course it is important to choose a family pet carefully, particularly if there are young children in your family. These days many people are simply not able to keep a dog due to long working hours and the time commitment needed to exercise and train a pooch.

I know from my own experience with Mr Fox, my Maine Coon, that the right cat makes a great pet for children and is often a more sensible option than a dog. Compared to dogs, cats are relatively easy to care for and happy to spend time playing simple games or just sharing time together. They sleep for up to 18 hours a day. However, the temperaments of cats do vary from the quiet and relaxed nature of a Birman through to the energetic Burmese. The level of early socialisation makes a huge difference to all breeds and is of utmost importance.

Australia’s most widely owned cat is in fact the moggie, but there can be a lot of variety in the appearance and personality of these so it may be worth considering adopting an adult cat rather than a purchasing kitten, especially if you have children. You really want a cat that is comfortable around kids and noise, happy to be handled, affectionate and not panicky.

There are some important questions you should consider before you choose a cat for your family:

• What sort of household do you have? If everyone in the house is out during the day at school or work, it may be a good idea to have two cats so they can keep each other company.

• What sort of cat do you want? Cats come in a range of sizes, coat types and personalities, and each requires different types of care. Coat length is particularly important as long-haired cats require a lot of grooming and it is the kind of task that needs to be undertaken by an adult. If you are considering a purebred cat, look into the temperament of the breed as they vary a great deal and some are better suited to children than others.

• How active will your cat be? Cats are better off kept indoors and a cat that is calm and not very active is best for this environment. Active cats can be happy indoors as long as they have plenty of opportunity to play and plenty of contact with their family.

• What will your future lifestyle be? A well cared for cat can live to over 15 years of age so consider how the needs of your family will change over that period and how you will care for your cat. For example, in a household where older children are constantly coming and going, it may be worth having an exterior cat enclosure so your cat can enjoy time outside while still being safely contained within an enclosure.

Cats make great pets and with proper planning and care, a cat will form a lifelong bond with your children.

For more information on choosing a cat to suit your lifestyle you can visit Selectapet at www.petnet.com.au.