Your children love your pets, and they might be starting to show curiosity about how to take care of them. While it’s definitely a great idea to show your children how to take good care of a pet, many kids won’t have the necessary skills or abilities to perform all of the duties required. In order to build a solid foundation, you can start with age-appropriate tasks for your child and adapt their responsibilities as they grow up.
Walking
A child under the age of 6 should never be given sole control of a leash on a walk, no matter how small your pet may be. This is for the safety of both your child and your pet. However, you can take your child along on walks to help establish a routine and begin showing them how a leash works. Emphasize safe walking practices and the importance of controlling a pet on a leash.
Mealtime
Small children aren’t ready for the full responsibility of managing meal times, but they can get involved. After you’ve measured out the correct portion, you can allow your child to put the food into your pet’s bowl and even put it down on the ground under direct supervision. As your child grows up, you can begin to involve them in the clean-up duties and, when they’re ready, have them take over full time.
Playtime
Kids love to play with pets, but safety should always be your number one concern. Allow your children to play with pets under adult supervision, and be sure that your pets are well-trained in order to avoid any accidents. If your pet doesn’t know how to play safely with small children, it may be a good idea to participate in training courses. As an added bonus, you can involve your child in the training process to foster healthy bonds.
Contact your veterinarian today if you have any questions about introducing your children to the responsibilities of pet care.
