Kids and Virtual Pet Adoption:

A Substitute or Replacement for the Real Thing

Virtual pet adoption for kids is a great alternative or replacement for a real pet adoption. There's great joy and excitement when kids and even adults get a pet, and there is something also very healthy and education with little kids who grow up taking care of their own pets. However, not all families are ready for real live pets or in a situation where they can have one and care for it properly.

This is one example of how virtual pet adoption for kids can give the child that same bond that they can get with a real pet but without many of the responsibilities of a live pet. If you are considering virtual pet adoption, here are some things that you need to know:

What are Virtual Pets?
Virtual pets have been growing in popularity in recent years. The idea behind them is similar to realistic baby dolls and other pretend toys for children except technology allows it to go one more step further. Virtual pets are sometimes called cyber pets or digital pets, and there are a wide variety to choose from.

Online Virtual Pets
One way that your child can experience virtual pets is online. There are many sites designed for children to play safely and for free with virtual pets in a virtual world. Using a computers with an Internet connection, he can create a pet or pick from a pre-created pet, complete the adoption process and then care for this pet online as you would for a real pet.

Virtual Pet Toys
In addition to virtual pets online, there are also toys that you can buy to play with at home. Some of these come with an online version as well. There are plush version as well as robot-like version, and some come in the form of a hand-held device much like a video game where you see your virtual pet on an LCD screen. These are portable and easy to take anywhere.

A good example of this is SqwishLand.com, a virtual pet gaming site that also has toys encapsulated and can be bought in vending machines and various retail stores.

Virtual Pets to Replace a Real Pet
Sometimes there is a medical need for virtual pets. For example, if your daughter has always wanted a cat but is allergic to them. Sometimes virtual pets replace real pets in situation where the family cannot afford the live animal or does not have the time or resources needed to develop to that pet. A virtual pet instead allows your child the experience of pet ownership.

Virtual Pets as a Teaching Tool
Finally, virtual pets can be great as a teaching tool to help prepare the child for a real pet. Since he will need to regularly feed and care for his virtual pet, it will get him into the habits needed to care for a live pet. This also gives the parent the opportunity to teach and to correct improper or unsafe behaviors.