Something that baffles me when people buy pets as gifts for their kids

Young children can not and should not be expected to care for any pet, gift or no gift. We bought our son a dog as part of his 6th grade graduation present, but it was really a family decision and a family pet. My husband and I did the training, walking, feeding, cleaning up, etc. until we felt the boys were old enough to walk the dog. They were only allowed to give him treats and play with him. We did everything else. They were also too busy by then with school and activities. My doctor wouldn't allow me to touch the cat's box when I was pregnant due to the chance of getting toxoplasmosis. Actually, I've never cleaned the litter box until my husband's surgery in August. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Lol!

I agree with everyone else it should be discussed before getting a pet.I would not let my child take care of a pet unless they we're at least a teen. We only had one pet with the kids and we took care of it.

I think it should be a mutual decision. The son shouldn't have to clean or be in charge of the dog poop 100%. His effort helps and he knows the dog is a lot of responsibilities but should be helped too!

I can see getting it as a present if the child has been asking for one. I agree that Animals are a lot of work to take care. One has to be ready for the responsibility.

I never understood that myself. The pets that we have now we discussed it as a family. My children do help take care of the pets we have but again it was a mutual agreement in that we all wanted our pets.

I feel like instead of getting them dogs they should start out with getting them a fish. They are a lot easier to learn responsibility with. Parents always seem so shocked when they get their kids pets for Christmas and then they don't clean up after it or take care of it. I mean what do you expected from a child who still can't even properly wipe their own butts or fix themselves foods. No matter a kid's age the parents normally always end up taking care of the pet because the kids have so many other things that they want to do and are learning for themselves how to do. If I have children and I get them a pet it is going to be because I want another pet because I know I will take care of it and all my kids have to do it love it and play with ti since that is the only thing they are going to do anyway. I also don't agree with getting rid of the dog or taking it to the shelter because your kids want take care of it even though you already knew they weren't going to take care of it from the start. Don't punish the animal because you made a bad choice.

I agree with everything you wrote above.

Giving a pet is usually a terrible idea. We know one family here that added two kitties to the pets, but these were 'rescued' and the older children do take care of the litter box.

It depends I think on a few things. If the child has asked for a pet it is only fair that he/she takes responsibility for at least some of the chores associated with it. How much they should do depends on the age of the child.

it depends on the maturity of the child. so far he knows he is responsible in cleaning after the dog, just teach him to clean properly and to take him out more often to hopefully do his business outside.

it is best to give a person a living creature only if they really want it.

A pet is a commitment and it is something that should be discussed among all family members before a decision is made. I don't agree with a pet being bought as a gift.

I think if he asked for it, he should walk it, but pregnant women should never clean cat litter as it is very dangerous to unborn babies!