A dog or a cat can be a hassle. Sure, they are lovable, and very cute, but they can certainly make a mess. They can also be expensive, especially with pet food, grooming, and vet expenses. Kids tend to want a pet like a dog or a cat, and they often keep asking for one, vowing to take full responsibility for it. Some parents cave in, only to find themselves taking care of the animal themselves. One solution to this problem is to forget about buying a real pet and get a robotic one.



Robot pets come in dog, cat, bird, horse, and pig form, so you aren't limited in the choice. They have fur, color, movement and sound, just like the real thing. The major difference is there is no mess to worry about. You don't have to fee robots, either. Your child can pretend to love and care for it as if it were a real pet, without being tied down with too much responsibility. It is an easy solution to a pet controversy.

Another benefit of a robotic pet is that they can be turned off. You don't have to hear them if you don't want to. All you have to do is flip the switch, or tell your child to do it, and they are quiet instantly. No more headaches from a dog that barks at everything.

The only cost is the occasional battery. These days you can get rechargeable ones, so you don't have to run to the store every time the batter dies. The cost of a robot pet and a rechargeable battery set is far less than the cost of a real pet, especially over time. Feeding a dog or cat for a year is far more than the total cost of the robotic pet package. There is also no need to get the robot checked out at a doctor's office, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Robots don't get sick.

If the pet brakes, it is most likely because your child did not take care of it. You should instruct them to treat it as if it were a real pet, and that they should help it to last for a long time. If they treat it well and prove responsible, you might decide to get them that real pet after all. A robotic pet might be good practice for the real thing if you get one down the line.