Pets are wonderful. They keep you laughing, cheer you up when you are down, and love you no matter what. And there is nothing more heartwarming than seeing a child who has fallen asleep curled up next to a favored animal. So it is no wonder that pets are a very common gift for children at holidays. What child's eyes wouldn't light up at the sight of a brand new baby animal to hold and hug?
However, you should remember that pets are a long-term commitment. Little critters are soft, warm and fuzzy gifts but (and it's a big but) they all grow up. Cute little puppies become big romping, barking dogs. Cuddly little kittens turn into large aloof cats. Soon the baby ducks and chicks are no longer soft and fuzzy, but big, noisy and messy. And most surprising of all, those two bunnies, Fred and George, turned out to be Fred and Georgia!
Also, keep in mind that animals cost money way above and beyond the initial purchase price. Food, leashes, food, collars, food and water bowls, training supplies, food, toys, vet bills, food, licenses and tags, and more food!
Buying a pet as a gift should be a well-planned and thought out move, not a spur of the moment decision based on emotion. If you are honestly thinking of getting someone a pet for the holidays, even if it is not for a child, make sure the gift fits. Be sure it is something you would do even if there were no holiday involved.
Once the pet is revealed, promises to love, feed, and take care of the new addition to the family will flow like water. Therefore, it is important to choose an animal the recipient is capable of handling. For example, you don't want to get a dog that will quickly grow to the size of a small pony for a young child. In fact, you might want to expose your child to other people's animals before buying a pet of your own. This will let you know if your child by chance has allergic reactions to animals before you bring one home that they will fall in love with. It will also give you time to try to convince them that they would really prefer a turtle, lizard, or something else that doesn't have dander.
Finally, there is a great deal of time that has to be invested in getting any pet acclimated to your household, and the holidays are not always a good time to do that. The hustle and excitement of a houseful of friends and family is not the best setting for a new puppy, kitten, or any other young animal. A better idea might be to cut out a picture of the pet you have in mind, put that in a card, and make sure the child understands that as soon as the holidays have passed and things have gone back to normal, they can help pick out the newest member of the family.
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