Animals are sentient beings with their own needs and rights, which must be respected and met. They should never be given to children as a means to teach lessons of responsibility, as a gift or because they have been asking you for months. While the idea might seem appealing, the reality is far more complex and fraught with potential pitfalls.
Prey animals, in particular, such as rabbits and guinea pigs, have had a long standing reputation of being good first companion animals for children, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Both species have complex needs, cost thousands of pounds to care for across their lifetime, and need patient and understanding caregivers.
Below we’re discussing why you should consider buying your children a toy animal, rather than a real one…
The complexity of prey animal care
The care that prey animals require is often intricate and demanding. Their needs can vary widely depending on the species, including specific dietary requirements, appropriate enclosures, and necessary enrichment activities to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. It is unrealistic to expect a child to possess the level of knowledge and commitment needed to properly care for an animal.
Long-term commitment
Animals are a long-term commitment. When given appropriate care, rabbits can live 10-12 years, whereas guinea pigs’ average lifespan is around 5-7 years. During this time, a child will grow up, potentially leave home for university or work, and may not be able to take the animal with them.
Even more commonly, children may simply lose interest as they grow older. This abandonment is all too prevalent, as evidenced by the current state of animal rescue charities in the UK, we are overwhelmed with animals needing new homes after being neglected or abandoned by their initial guardians, and our waitlist is bursting at the seams with more waiting to come into our care.
Social needs of animals
Both rabbits and guinea pigs require the companionship of their own kind to thrive. This means that acquiring a single animal often necessitates getting at least one more to ensure their well-being. This doubles the commitment in terms of both care and financial outlay, which includes costs for insurance, veterinary visits for both emergency and preventative healthcare, as well as consumables, enclosures, and toys.
Prey animals need patience
Whilst we know how cute guinea pigs and rabbits are, it can take a while before either species feel comfortable with their human caregivers. Many rabbits do not like to be picked up, and it can take a long time to build a trusting relationship with guinea pigs. This can be frustrating for children who enjoy playing with animals. If a child was to pick up or interact with a rabbit in a way the rabbit felt threatened, it can be stressful for the rabbit and lead to defensive or aggressive behaviours, which are distressing for both the animal and the child, and lead to the animals being labelled as aggressive.
Legal and ethical care responsibilities
Legally, the responsibility for an animal lies with an adult at all times. This underscores the ethical imperative that if you are not prepared to take full responsibility for an animal’s needs, it is best not to acquire one. The welfare of an animal is a serious commitment and should not be taken lightly or delegated to a child who may not yet have the maturity to fully understand and meet these obligations.
Financial implications
The financial commitment involved in caring for an animal is considerable. It includes not only the initial purchase but also ongoing costs such as food, veterinary care, and other essentials. These costs can quickly add up. Rabbits and guinea pigs need specialist exotic vets, which are generally more expensive to visit than other vet surgeries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the idea of giving a child a pet to teach responsibility may seem appealing, the reality is that animals are sentient beings with complex needs that are often beyond the capabilities of a child to meet. The long-term commitment, social needs of the animals, requirements for routine, potential for mismatched activity patterns, and legal responsibilities all point to the conclusion that animals should not be bought for children. Instead, families should consider other ways to teach responsibility that do not involve the risk of compromising the welfare of a sentient being. The decision to bring an animal into a home should be made with full awareness of the commitment required, ensuring that the primary responsibility lies with an adult prepared to meet the animal’s needs throughout its life.
