A pet for the family? Nine questions and answers

«I want an animal!» Almost every child comes up with this wish at some point. Should parents give in, even if they are not animal lovers themselves? Which animals are suitable for children and how much responsibility can children take on? We met David Naef from the Swiss Animal Protection STS and asked him nine questions about pets.

Why this series is presented by our editorial dog Sukhi...

When Sukhi joined his family as a little white ball of fur, his parents and the two boys were totally in love. Then came the daily grind. The mum sighed: «I thought the boys would do more of the walking and take more care. Now it's all down to me.»
Sukhi was just under a year old when the dog's owner decided to go back to work and look for a new home for the dog so that he wouldn't have to be alone all day.
And so it was that Sukhi ended up with me, Bianca Fritz, and became an editorial dog for the Swiss parents' magazine Fritz+Fränzi. He's certainly not doing badly here. He is allowed into the office and to interviews, runs around with other dogs during lunch breaks and even receives fan mail. However, when he meets boys the age of his former playmates, I realise that he still misses his old family.
Before a pet can move in with a family, many questions and eventualities need to be clarified. No one knows this better than Sukhi. And that's exactly why he's allowed to present our series, which aims to help families with questions about pets.

You should know the answers to these questions BEFORE you buy a pet:

David Naef from the Swiss Animal Protection STS and its Krax youth club answers the most important questions about pets and families in our nine-part video series.

Question 1: How important are animals for children?

David Naef: Children learn to empathise with animals and to take responsibility.

Question 2: Which pets are particularly suitable for children?

Did you know that rabbits and guinea pigs don't like to cuddle? Yet these are often advertised as "starter" pets. Dogs and cats, on the other hand, are animals that are able to keep to themselves. David Naef on choosing the right pet.

Question 3: Are there alternatives to pets?

And what if the parents really aren't animal lovers at all? David Naef advises against buying a pet if not everyone can say yes and reveals how children can still come into contact with animals.

Question 4: What arrangements should a family make before buying a pet?

  • Do all family members agree?
  • Does anyone have an allergy?
  • Does the family have enough time to look after the animal?
  • Do they have the financial means?
  • How and where will the animal be kept?
  • Who will take care of the animal?
  • How serious are the children about having a pet?
There are many things the family should talk about BEFORE a pet can move in, says David Naef.

Question 5: How much responsibility can a child take for a pet?

David Naef makes it clear who has the main responsibility for a pet: the parents. The child is still in a learning process and is not "to blame" if it is unable to fulfil the tasks assigned to it.

Question 6: What if my child doesn't stick to the agreements?

Agreements are important. But children often don't realise what's in store for them. And then what? David Naef says: "Children understand very well when you talk about animal welfare and are happy to suggest their own solutions.

Question 7: Can my child walk the dog alone?

Both the law and common sense provide the guidelines here ... Does the child already have the dog under control? Children should also not walk a dog that they cannot physically (hold). Liability for any dog accident lies with the owner.

Question 8: Our pet has to be put to sleep. How do I talk to the child about this?

Euthanising a pet is a difficult decision for the whole family. David Naef believes that children should also be involved here. "You can often trust them to do more than you think."

Question 9: How can I help my child grieve for a pet?

David Naef is very familiar with rituals that can help people cope with grief. He also runs a funeral parlour. He is clearly in favour of involving the child in the whole process. Children need something they can hold on to.
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More articles on the subject of pets:

  • Six reasons why dogs are good for children
  • Is animal love innate? And should parents worry if their child simply doesn't like animals?
  • Better a dog than another child, says our columnist Ulrike Légé and marvels at the differences and similarities