There are a few things that come hard to come children. While they are fascinated with and love to be around animals, it may take them a while to learn to care for animals. This means they may not understand that they need to be fed or walked as often as they should, or that you can not pull tails and play with them as if they were stuffed animals. Some children learn to be nice and be responsible rather quickly, but most children struggle. There are some things you must be sure of before you give in and get them that pet they have been asking for.
Children often ask if they can have a new kitten, puppy, or hamster before they are ready to care for animals. It can be hard to explain to them why you are saying no. They do not understand what it means to care for an animal twenty four hours a day. There are a few pets that are easier to care for, but chances are good that you are going to end up with the care of the animals on your shoulders no matter what you pick. That is probably the biggest reason why you are saying no when you know they are too young to take care of any animal as they should.
If they will not let up about getting a puppy, but you know they are not able to care for animals the way they should, see if you can borrow one from someone for a few days. Tell your child that they must do everything that pet needs, and they can not ask you to do it for them. Some children will do well and may change your mind, but those are usually the older ones. Even then though, they lose interest after a while and you end up doing all the work. Younger children end up being overwhelmed and you have to take over before the animal starts to suffer. That should show them that they are not ready just yet. They will still protest, but you have made your point.
Children under the age of ten may not care for animals the right way in a whole other way. It may not be about how often they remember to feed, water, or walk them it is more about understanding that they are not play toys and that they can be hurt or even killed if not treated properly. Some animals will attack, and that can always teach a lesson but that is not what you want to happen. If your child does not respond to your lessons about caring for animals, they are going to have to remain separated.
Sometimes, a child that can not care for animals the right way is trying to tell you something. If they hit and tease animals well beyond the age of which they should be understanding, there could be something else wrong. When children worry or have problems they are hiding, they may act out with aggression. Animals are often easy targets when they are doing this. If you think there is a problem, talk with a professional about how your children care for animals and then see what they think. Something may be wrong.