Teach Your Child to Care for a Pet
Provided by P&G Everyday Solutions
Caring for a pet can provide an opportunity for your child to learn valuable life
lessons, such as responsibility, dedication and thoughtfulness. For the experience
to be successful, however, parental involvement is essential.
Choose Age-Appropriate Activities
Children are often eager to care for a beloved family pet, but it's important to
supervise their involvement.
- A preschooler might not be old enough to fully understand the importance of pet
nutrition, but she could help feed a pet by filling water bowls or measuring food.
- Children five to seven years old will often begin to read a pet's body language
and can even begin to play a part in training the family dog or cat.
- Kids eight to 10 years old are most likely mature enough to gradually assume much
of the day-to-day responsibilities of pet care.
Teach by Example
Kids learn by watching their parents. Perhaps the best way to teach your child to
respect and care for the family pet is to model the correct behavior. Show your
child how to pick up a cat or pet a dog. Demonstrate the correct way to check for
fleas, or how to give the dog a bath. The way you treat the family pet is the way
your child will eventually treat it, too.
Walk the Dog Together
Get in the habit of taking your child along when you walk the dog. Help your child
understand that, just like people, dogs need exercise. Explain the importance of
curbing and keeping the dog off of the neighbor's lawn. After a few walks around
the neighborhood, let your child hold the leash.
Share Trips to the Vet
A trip to the vet is perhaps the best way to teach your children that animals need
special care. Ask your vet if she can spend a few extra minutes with your child
to answer any questions he might have, or to explain the purpose of frequent checkups
Help Your Child Understand Pet Nutrition
A young child may love the family pet so much that he insists on feeding it his
favorite food — like cookies or ice cream. Help your child understand that
people food does not contain the vitamins and nutrients pets need to grow up healthy.
Introduce your child to pet nutrition in a hands-on way by allowing him to feed
the family dog or cat. Gradually, feeding can become your child's responsibility.
Encourage Your Child
Find special ways to encourage your child. Let her know that you appreciate the
good job she's doing with the family pet. Take pictures of her interacting with
the dog or cat and keep them posted on the refrigerator. A little encouragement
goes a long way toward building your child's confidence.
