A pet dog, cat, fish, bird or guinea pig are usually the first family pets of any household. Although some of us may still have pets we bought years ago who are now dutifully enduring the tugs and pulls of tiny fingers, there are other of us who are currently fending off requests from our children to get a puppy or a kitten.
However, once children get their beloved furred friend, they tend to forget that cats and dogs need to be fed, washed, walked and brushed almost as often as humans. And as any parent will know, getting your children to look after their four-legged, finned or feathered friend can be a challenge. So we asked Dr Jo Righetti PhD, animal behaviourist and Purina One ambassador, for her advice on how to get kids to look after their pets.
1. Lead by example
“Kids learn by example, and they also love to follow your lead! Show your kids how to be gentle and kind with animals and how to treat them with love and respect – they’ll be following suit and looking after them with the same attitude in no time.”
2. Teach your children on the importance of caring for their pet
“If you want your kids to look after their pets, you need to teach them about why it’s important to care for them just like we take care of ourselves. Remember to show your kids simple and easy ways they can improve their pet’s health, like older children taking the dog for a long walk so it stays healthy and fit, or the importance of feeding your cat a high-quality diet to keep their body and teeth in good condition.”
3. Create a pet roster
“An effective way to get the kids involved in the responsibilities of looking after a pet is to create a pet roster and allocate specific tasks. Let them have a say as to what they want to be responsible for, rather than assigning tasks and keep things fun and interesting. You can have a chart with the tasks and give out a sticker when the task is done.”
4. Allocate age appropriate responsibilities
“It’s important to allocate your children chores that are well within their skill level so they can succeed and be able to do it again and again! A two to five year-old could be responsible for putting toys away, while a nine-year-old can assist with brushing, grooming and bathing for the pet. Children in their late teens could be responsible for walking or exercising pets.”
5. Involve the kids in training/exercise for your pet
“Another easy way to get your kids involved in looking after the family pet is by involving them in the walking or exercising for the day. Throwing and fetching is a great run around for a dog and can be fun for the kids, too. For a cat, use toys to get your cat up and chasing after them is a great way to have plenty of indoor fun!”
6. Keep the kids motivated and don’t nag
“Your kids will slowly learn to love for their pet after you ease them into it, but remember not to nag and keep things enjoyable and interesting, after all – a pet should be fun!”
You might also like:
Why you should hire an at-home pet-sitter
5 easy swaps to make your pet more eco-friendly
How to do a pet health check at home
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