At some point, parents are bombarded with requests when children will want a pet. Children will promise anything to get a pet because they think pets are easy. Thinking back to your childhood, you probably asked for a pet too. Fond memories of those beloved pets will weaken any parents’ resolve, and before you know it, you and your child are new pet owners. But after a child gets their first pet, they may lose interest or become overwhelmed by the responsibilities of their pet’s care.
Children raised with pets learn and develop many positive qualities: obedience; fewer behavior or learning problems; physically active; responsibility; compassion; empathy; kindness; and social skills. These positive attributes may be worth the effort to help children to understand the myth that “pets are easy.“
How do you get children to understand how much work a pet can be? Follow the suggestions for making a Pet Care Chart, Sacrificing For My Pets, and participate in a Mock Pet Care Trial.
Pet Care Chart
A “Pet Care Chart” lists all the pets’ care and can be a reality check for children. This chart helps children see how a pet can be time-consuming and costly. Give your child a poster board and markers to make the chart (with your help.)
The “Pet Care Chart” should have the following columns:
Daily: Feeding, watering, walking, playing, training, and poop pickup in the yard.
Weekly: Bathing, grooming, and cleaning up.
Monthly: Giving medicines, trimming nails, brushing teeth, and other care.
Yearly: Vet visits (shots and check-ups.)
Adding the costs of these items helps children realize the financial responsibility of pets. Teaching children how to perform these tasks, reasons for specific tasks, and how it makes the pet feel will help a child understand the value of caring for their pet and learn empathy and kindness.
Sacrificing For My Pet
Children may not realize how time-consuming pet care can be. Helping them to realize that to care for a pet, they may have to give up things. Give children the option of deciding what activities they could give up, such as time playing video games, watching TV, or playing with friends. Children may have to change spending habits to include pet care items, such as food, toys, leashes, dog beds, or vet care.
Mock Pet Trial
If you are still in the “thinking” stage and have not yielded to the pleas of your child, then this suggestion may be helpful. Get a pretended pet for your child to care, such as a stuffed or plastic animal. Require your child to care for the fake pet as if it were a real animal. They will have to follow the “Pet Care Chart” and feed, water, walk, play, and bathe their pet.
Do this for at least a month to see if your child gets bored or lax in their responsibilities. A mock trial will determine if a child is ready for a pet or indicate that they should start with a small animal that doesn’t require much care, such as a fish, turtle, or hamster.
Parental Help
Children learn and develop positive qualities such as compassion, respect, and the ability to love and nurture others by having a pet. Wonderful childhood memories may include pets as best friends and members of the family. Making this possible for children by helping them fulfill their responsibilities to a pet will add to their growth and development.
Allow children to make mistakes; it’s part of learning. Caring for something other than themselves is a process that takes time. Be patient and help children follow the “Pet Care Chart” and learn empathy by caring for someone that depends solely on them.
Help with high expenses (vet bills), and allow children to use their money for small costs (pet toys and leashes). When children have a financial interest in their pets, they will better understand the responsibility of pet ownership.
Support your child in their choices considering their pet, such as performing pet care duties, what color leash to buy, and other decisions that help your child learn to think about what is best for their pet and their family. As millions of pet owners know, getting a pet brings a different kind of joy, happiness, and contentment that makes all the hard work worth it!
Speaking of books that teach children about pets, I know of one you need to read. Check out my latest adventured titled Pets Are Easy. While taking care of a dog may not seem like a chore, wait until you get one.
