Young Children and Pets
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Alcemistnv [567 candy corns] (#3906)
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EDIT: This topic will also discuss the thoughts of ignorant pet owners
Please keep this clean and keep rudeness out of this.
Okay, so I don't know if this is just because of my experiences or if anyone else is seeing this as well, but I'm questioning whether the idea of giving a child a pet (and by child, I mean those ranging from around 5 to 10).
Don't get me wrong, the idea of teaching a child responsibility is great. My parents bought a family dog for us when we were young. But, at that age, I wasn't able to take care of the dog on my own. The most I did was brush and feed her. My parents did the brunt of the work. Was it fair that my parents did most of the work? It depends. Because now if I were to move out at this very moment, said dog would be coming with me.
I've witnessed a few comments/threads on another website about users who are about 8 who have their own dogs, pigs, fish ,birds, etc.
The main question is: Is it fair to the animal?
I can tell you that my 11 year old sister wouldn't know what to do with a fish if it happened to get sick. And she won't even go near dog poop. And as for the hamsters? She won't do anything more but give them food and water, but won't scrub out their containers.
So who has to do it? My other sis and I, or our parents.
My fish, birds, and dogs get 24/7 attention from me when I'm home. i know what to look for when they get sick/injured/etc. And that's only after either extensive research or from others on the internet. How would a 5 year old know when a dog is sick? And what if the parents really could care less about the health of a pet?
My mom and dad don't care about our birds, and they were the ones who claimed they were theirs. So it's pluasible that could happen in another scenario.
It serves responsibility, but only if the parents are putting their work into it as well. I feel like this doesn't necessarily have to happen, seeing as how I know some younger people who are extremely mature and are more educated than I am.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm the greatest at pet care. So please don't accuse me of something when I'm already admitting it. But I'm hoping that when I'm able to control my own finances, I'll be able to give my pets 100% of the care I need.
But these are my opinions and thoughts.
Anyone elses?
Please keep this clean and keep rudeness out of this.
Okay, so I don't know if this is just because of my experiences or if anyone else is seeing this as well, but I'm questioning whether the idea of giving a child a pet (and by child, I mean those ranging from around 5 to 10).
Don't get me wrong, the idea of teaching a child responsibility is great. My parents bought a family dog for us when we were young. But, at that age, I wasn't able to take care of the dog on my own. The most I did was brush and feed her. My parents did the brunt of the work. Was it fair that my parents did most of the work? It depends. Because now if I were to move out at this very moment, said dog would be coming with me.
I've witnessed a few comments/threads on another website about users who are about 8 who have their own dogs, pigs, fish ,birds, etc.
The main question is: Is it fair to the animal?
I can tell you that my 11 year old sister wouldn't know what to do with a fish if it happened to get sick. And she won't even go near dog poop. And as for the hamsters? She won't do anything more but give them food and water, but won't scrub out their containers.
So who has to do it? My other sis and I, or our parents.
My fish, birds, and dogs get 24/7 attention from me when I'm home. i know what to look for when they get sick/injured/etc. And that's only after either extensive research or from others on the internet. How would a 5 year old know when a dog is sick? And what if the parents really could care less about the health of a pet?
My mom and dad don't care about our birds, and they were the ones who claimed they were theirs. So it's pluasible that could happen in another scenario.
It serves responsibility, but only if the parents are putting their work into it as well. I feel like this doesn't necessarily have to happen, seeing as how I know some younger people who are extremely mature and are more educated than I am.
Now, I'm not saying that I'm the greatest at pet care. So please don't accuse me of something when I'm already admitting it. But I'm hoping that when I'm able to control my own finances, I'll be able to give my pets 100% of the care I need.
But these are my opinions and thoughts.
Anyone elses?
Steaks (#5484)
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08-16-2012 at 2:34 PM
<i>But the question is, whose fault is it if the fish die? Is it hers for doing that? Her parents for giving her the tank and fish? The store for reccomending the tank? Or the website for not approaching the situation better?</i><br /> <br /> All of the above<br /> Bettas are fish and should not be kept in dixie cups :( I wouldn't put a goldfish in a mason jar, so I wouldn't put a betta in one either.<br /> <br /> but I suppose that's suited better in another debate thread
Alcemistnv [567 candy corns] (#3906)
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08-15-2012 at 11:30 PM
I did, but the tank was a 5 gallon with a filter and TWO mesh dividers.<br /> <br /> Buddha was removed because he was sick and I was afraid it was parasites, which could have spread to Pudge. He's currently back in his 2 gallon while getting treated. <br /> <br /> But they both still get the 3 times a week changes the tank needs :/<br /> <br /> <br /> The tank this user had was 1.75 gallons, and on the site, everyone agrees the minimum a betta should have is a 2 gallon, unless you get a 1 gallon and are willing to do enough changes to avoid rapid ammonia buildup. 1.75 gallons in half is less than a gallon per fish, and the tank wasn't getting cleaned so she was basically killing her fish.<br /> <br /> But the question is, whose fault is it if the fish die? Is it hers for doing that? Her parents for giving her the tank and fish? The store for reccomending the tank? Or the website for not approaching the situation better?
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2012-08-15 20:48:42 by #3906
Aust (#9721)
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08-15-2012 at 10:16 PM
Just a quick question Al, do you put both bettas in the same aquarium?
Alcemistnv [567 candy corns] (#3906)
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08-15-2012 at 9:51 PM
thank you Clay.<br /> <br /> I just dealt with a another young teen who put two bettas in a 1.5 gallon and then cleaned the tank once a week. When she asked what type of betta #3 should be, she was shocked when she had users and staff telling her how cruel that was.<br /> <br /> But did she listen? Nope.<br /> <br /> And it's that kind of ignorance that annoys me.
Steaks (#5484)
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08-13-2012 at 9:34 PM
If you can't research (and understand) the illnesses + treatment, living requirements, nutrition, lifespan, temperament, behaviour, etc and refuse to pick up the waste of an animal you wish to buy, you shouldn't get one :P<br /> <br /> that is my view on children owning pets.
Alcemistnv [567 candy corns] (#3906)
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08-13-2012 at 9:21 PM
Well, I did have fish when I was young as well, but my parents didn't understand how to care for them themselves.<br /> <br /> I have two bettas now and I currently have Water conditioner/ AQ salt/ Epsom Salt and two spare tanks for when ym fish get sick. When young, I never would have known that ONE fish needs that just when they're sick, let alone what each sickness is called and what they require....<br /> <br /> My fish seem to require the most attention and care xD
Aust (#9721)
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08-13-2012 at 9:18 PM
I had some pet fish when I was young. My mom helped me take care of them. I think it's OK for kids to have pets only if the parent(s) supervise and assist. But, there's not much you can do when a 25 cent goldfish is sick, you know.