How old is old enough?

[chemas]

My 9 year old daughter is extremely gentle around animals, however my 13 yr. old son is a little more rough, but he wouldn't hurt them- but he is more hyper lol. :D

[Jeanette]

I think that it's great that you were subjected to animals at a very young age. There is this time old tale where if you tell someone that they won't be able to do something, that they will believe it and not be able to do it. I would encourage my (future) children to be in very close contact with animals (while still being safe and washing their hands every 2 mins, lol). I had someone ask me the other day if it would hurt if Spiny shot his quills at you. MY GOD!

[ilovemychins2]

I have had chins since my daughter was 14 months old and recently started with hogs. I think depending on the child they can have these pets. Since she was about 6 months old we have worked with her with animals, how to be nice and pet them and so on. She is never in the chin room unsupervised. No chin is ever out of the cage with out me handling the child and offering for her to pet it of sit and hold it on her lap. I thinks with responsible parents and supervison a child can be an active part of the life of a chin. She loves to pet them and begs to go see then each night when we get home. She has a step stool by the hogs cage to look in and see them sleeping. She understands the need to be talk softly when they are sleeping. Heck she yells if I kill a fly. Of Course I have seen the children that are mean to animals, but I think much of it is a need to teach them and help them. I believe that my chins have given me a chance to offer a great experince to my daughter and to teach her about other little living creatures. I know there are some adults out their that are not as kind to animials as my daughter is, so I guess age is not really the determining factor to me.

[Lattè]

I say it GREATLY matters how mature and responsible this girl is. o-o Some little kids like to squeeze the living daylight out of pets. Which is fine if your hugging a nice strong dog. But a poor hedgie would just be crushed. If they are responsible (and have adult supier vision most of the time, somebody to remind to feed the sweeties) I think its a good learning experience. I have had dogs around my house my whole life - two years (when my moms dog from when she was a kid died ((old age)) we went a few years without a dog) and I am ready for more responbility which means my own hedgehog, even though I am 13.

[Cortni<3]

I totally agree with you Nancy :) I am 14, but I have lived on a famr for as long as I can remember. I know all about vet bills, and the little costs here and there. When I wanted a hedgie, I knew I was going to have to pay for everything myself, even the vet- so I got a job. I have been ale to pay pay for everything and even buy my hedgie some extra things.

I am glad my mom told me if I got a hedgehog I had all the responsibility. I have seen how things work for a long time, and to me it meant that my mom trusted me completely, to be the sole caregiver of an animal.

:)

[Lattè]

I have to do the same thing in a year, Cortni. Next when I turn 14 and can get a job at a local sports place (camp counsleing, umpiring and such). I will be paying for my hedgie myself. Which really would help me feel like she is just /mine/.

[Cortni<3]

Yah, Its nice to know that a living thing is depending on you, and makes you feel even better when you can live up to it's expectations :)

[Hyrth]

Well, see, I'm only 14 years old, and only bought my Chinchilla today, but I've been planning for months. I bought him, his cage, food, block, everything he needs, for over 300 bucks. Each penny was all my money I'd earned. If he got sick, my mom would pay for his vet bills I know. Personally, I wouldn't want a Chin and cage for free. I like to work for my animals so I can prove to myself and others that I'm serious about taking care of it.

[Lattè]

Awww, thats nice xD Well the hedgie is an x-mass pressie if I dont save soon. The cage, my mom is buying since they are all so spensive. Im 13 and not a very good saver since I have no job expect the occiasonal babysitting!