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5 Important Facts to Teach Kids about
Pet Ownership
Article by PetSmart
(BPT) - Kids instinctively love animals. Children begin learning about animal species, their habitats and behavior during elementary school, and this is when children also become more interested and involved in caring for family pets. They may even become pet owners for the first time at this age. Learning about animal care is fun for kids, while also teaching them life lessons about empathy, compassion and responsibility. Here are five important facts that children need to know about pet care.
* All pets need water
Water is essential for every pet, every day (some even live in water). Keep water dishes or bottles clean so their water is always good to drink.
* Pets need particular food
PetSmart is a great place to find the right food for any pet. While some (like rabbits) eat fresh vegetables like you, most pets don't thrive on people food. Feeding them scraps from your plate is not a good idea, as some food might be bad for them.
"Whatever habitat your pet requires, it's important to keep it clean and give them toys to entertain them."
* Each pet needs a different habitat
While cats or dogs share our homes, others require special houses. Fish need aquariums with water that's filtered, at the correct temperature. Smaller pets need cages - they're not litter-trained, and they're small enough to get lost in your house. Reptiles need glass enclosures called "vivariums" and require heat to be comfortable. Birds need cages to prevent them from escaping. Whatever habitat your pet requires, it's important to keep it clean and give them toys to entertain them.