By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
Teaching Your Child Pet Care Basics
FEEDING
Caring for a pet offers many benefits for children, encouraging responsible and compassionate behavior. Children can add food and water to dishes, give treats, and handle cleaning duties.
When shopping for food, explain the need to choose a food that has the nutrients your pet needs to stay healthy. Too many fillers or unnecessary ingredients may be bad for your pet’s health – just like junk food is bad for people.
Children can help clean pet dishes. It’s important to wash them every day to prevent bacterial growth. If bacteria remains, your pet could become ill. By the time children reach 9 or 10, they may be able to handle feeding or cleaning with little supervision.
BRUSHING
Many pets benefit from weekly brushing. Brushing removes loose hair and debris from your pet’s body and can prevent hairballs in cats and rabbits. Demonstrate how to use gentle strokes in the direction the hair grows. Coach young children to understand how much pressure to use by trying out the brush on their arms. If your pet has long hair or sheds heavily, more frequent brushings are helpful. Older children can help sweep or vacuum hair from floors, carpets, and furniture. Dogs need frequent baths to remove odors and keep them clean. Your child can help lather and rinse the shampoo from your pet.
WALKING OR EXERCISING YOUR PET
Unlike adults, kids may never grow tired of playing fetch or frisbee with your dog or entertaining Tigger with a kitty fishing rod. Exercise improves socialization while keeping your pet healthy.
Teach your kids how to walk your dog or cat on a leash or harness in a fenced yard. When your child is comfortable and can control your pet safely, let them control the leash occasionally while you’re out for a walk. Don’t leave young children alone with pets during exercise or any other time. They may be tempted to tease a pet or pull its hair or tail when you’re not around.
CLEANING UP
Cleaning the litter box or cage and picking up poop in the yard isn’t the most fun pet care task, but it’s essential. When your children are about 9 or 10, they may wish to help with these tasks. Show them how to dispose of waste properly and wash their hands thoroughly afterwards.
SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND
Every child is different. Some may enthusiastically participate in pet care while others need prodding. Ultimately, your pet’s health and wellbeing depend on you. If your children forget to feed your pet or take it for a walk, you’ll need to step in and do these things yourself.
Island Life Animal Hospital
Dr. Danielle Gallo & Dr. Johnathan Pierce
5901 Sun Blvd., Suite 107, St. Petersburg727-289-3776
islandlifeanimalhospital.vet