Grandchildren and pets

WE have always had pets in the family even before the children arrived,they have been brought up to respect and care for animals and have been present when puppies or kittens have been born to any of our pets,I think it depends how often your friends children visit her and if she would find having a pet to look after a bind if she maybe wanted to go on holiday etc as they can be a problem then,has she thought of maybe taking them to a dogs home or cattery where they could help with the care of an animal but not be committed in such a big way, it may be a better idea until they where older and their mum was more forthcoming to them owning their own pet.

GS3 does love our cats when he comes round. They aren't able to have any sort of pets in their flat and had to give away the hamster when they moved in.

Like so many things a pet needs to be something you really want yourself, rather than just for the grandchildren.

Hamsters and Guinea Pigs have to be regularly i.e. on a daily basis and sensitively handled to make them tame. Would your friend be wi op to do this ? Even then they are known to bite on occasions. They are not a pet I would buy for very young children. Your friend needs to think about whether if she took the grandchildren out of the equation would she still want the pet.

be willing to do this

We had several hamsters when our children were young. They live only a few years and sleep most of the day. If your friend wants her grandchildren to learn about death and bereavement, they are the pets to have!

We have always had cats which our grandchildren love but one of them was very bad tempered and the DGCs had to be warned off trying to touch him. They still grieve over the loss of one of them who was very gentle and tolerant of being stroked but cats can be a bit temperamental. They aren't keen on a lot of noise!!

I agree that your friend would need to want to have the pet herself as children can lose interest after a time. Cats and dogs can live a long time. Our current cat is 14 and still behaves like a kitten.

She has thought about holidays and the children would have to agree to look after the pet then.

When I was a wee girl I had budgies at different times, and a much loved dog who lived to see both my own children. We have had a budgie in our house since our daughter was 2 years old and our son has never known a time when there was not a budgie here. They are friendly and can be taught to speak. Our budgie is now 4 years old. The wee one we had before him was 10 years old when he died.

You friend shouldn't be obtaining any sort of pet to be played with. They should be there to be cared for and loved and be given a warm and peaceful home. They are not toys.