Page 6 All About Kids • Thursday , May 9 , 2024 monticellotimes . com
Establishing kids ’ roles in caring for the family pet
Children and pets living together can make for a boisterous but happy household . Having pets is an ideal opportunity to introduce children to some measure of responsibility , and it may encourage youngsters to become advocates for animal welfare .
Pets require all sorts of care and companionship . Introducing children to age-appropriate pet-related tasks can set the groundwork for a lifetime of loving and caring for companion animals .
Children shouldn ’ t be given all of the responsibilities of caring for pets , but there are some notable roles they can play .
Teach gentle interactions
Toddlers and even kindergarteners may be unaware of how rough they are being .
Therefore , they will need a lot of supervision and reinforcement to learn how to be gentle when petting or engaging with companion animals .
Young children also may think that pets are toys and that there are no consequences when animals are handled roughly .
Parents and other caregivers may need to spend a lot of time emphasizing gentle play with pets .
Start off with some play sessions
Children shouldn ’ t be given all of the responsibilities of caring for pets , but there are some notable roles they can play .
Playing together is a great way for kids and pets to bond and get some exercise . Purina behaviorist Dr . Annie Valuska suggests games like high-five , rolling over , finding treats in hidden places , and practicing tricks or commands .
Children also may be able to do short training sessions with pets , like helping them get acclimated to a new pet carrier , wearing a leash , or even moving the vacuum cleaner nearby so the animal overcomes its fear of it .
Family vet visits
Children can learn a lot about pet health and care at the vet ’ s office . Bring youngsters along to help out and see what is involved in routine veterinary visits .
Kids can soothe and distract the pet during the administration of vaccines and watch how a vet assesses an animal ’ s overall health .
Watching a pet go through a physical examination also may help a child become more brave in relation to his or her own medical check-ups .
Participate in feeding and bathing
Children can be responsible for putting pre-measured scoops of food in the bowl for feeding and help refill the water .
Kids also may be able to offer treats to pets who are able to take them gently out of hand .
When it comes time to groom a pet , children can assist with scrub downs in the tub or at a grooming station in a nearby retail store .
More hands available can help wrangle a wet and slippery animal , after all .
Kids may find it soothing to brush pets , but they must do so gently .
Teach about quiet time
Pets need opportunities to rest , and children should understand that quiet time means the pet should be left alone .
Kids can help set up a cozy napping spot where a dog or cat can retreat when they need
( SUBMITTED PHOTO ) some rest .
Children can be taught responsible pet care when their parents feel they ’ re ready .
With trial and error , family members can see where kids ’ strengths lie in caring for pets and gauge the animals ’ tolerance for interaction with youngsters .
Pet owners must remember to ensure young children and animals are never together without adult supervision .