Adopting a pet is a lot of responsibility. Making sure the whole family is on board and understands that caring for the dog or cat is everyone’s job is important. Before you bring home your new pet, discuss how to share tasks such as feeding, brushing, walking, and play time. Everyone likes fun activities like tossing a ball or chasing a flashlight, but cleaning up the yard or litter box of pet waste is necessary too. Teach your child how to be a responsible pet owner from a young age.
The Whole Family
Start off by making sure the entire family – kids and adults alike – understand how to interact with animals safely and appropriately. That means petting them gently, not pulling their tail or fur, not being right up in their face, approaching them slowly, and keeping voices at a reasonable level.
Make sure everyone knows signs that your dog or cat is getting upset such as growling or hissing, baring their teeth, arching their back, or backing away. Teach your child to give your pet space and not try to take things from them.
Get the whole family involved in training your dog as well so everyone knows the proper commands and routines. This helps your dog know what to expect as well because the process is the same no matter who they’re interacting with. It’s a good idea for kids to practice giving commands such as sit, stay, come, or drop it so that the dog learns to listen to them as well.
Toddlers
When kids are little, there’s not too much they’ll be doing on their own, but helping you care for a pet models appropriate behaviors. Let them help you scoop the pet food or put fresh water in a bowl. You can guide their hand when brushing your pet and have them hand you a waste bag when taking your dog on walks. After you have played together with your dog or cat, have them put the toys back where they belong.
Young Children
Young children can take on a little more responsibility. It might be their job to feed the cat before they leave for school, or let the dog out in the backyard when they get home. It can be helpful to create a chart or checklist where they mark off each task once it is completed. This can also help prevent over or under feeding your pets, and reducing accidents because you know they were let out.
Talk to your kids about the importance of them being involved and doing the activities they’re assigned. Your pet can’t fill its own food or water dish. Your dog can’t take itself on a walk. Your cat can’t brush its own fur. Animals rely on their family for that. How would your child feel if you forgot to feed them or let them use the bathroom?
Teenagers
As your child gets older, they can be more independent in caring for family pets. They can be trusted to walk your dog on their own and safely clean up any pet waste as they go and from your yard. They can go outside and toss around a ball or frisbee. If your dog is crate trained, they can secure them in their crate before heading out. You may even trust your teen to drop off or pick up your dog from the groomers.
Everyone plays a part in making sure your dog or cat is well cared for and their needs are met. It can also be a wonderful way to help teach responsibility. If you’re headed out of town, make sure your kids know it’s important for you to find someone else to care for your pets. Contact Lake Wylie Pet Resort to book your dog or cat’s next stay and have the peace of mind that they are in good hands.