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Preparing Kids For A Pet

Helping Children Understand What Animals Need

Sep 1, 2008

When parents decide to bring a new animal into the home, they must both prepare their children and ensure that their children know what will be expected of them.

The first order of duty must be in deciding as a family what sort of animal will be appropriate for the household. Many factors may shape what animal one prefers, from the size of the home and backyard to the expense of food and veterinary bills.

Some families find themselves more suited to animals that need slightly less attention, such as a fish or a hermit crab. Others feel ready to bring a cat, dog, or lizard into the fold. Once the majority of those in the household have agreed on the species of the new pet, it is time to start preparing!

Preparing For A New Pet

There are many ways parents can prepare their children for a new pet:

The entire family should research the animal they are considering. Check out books from the local library, look it up on the Internet, and visit a pet shop.
Find out what supplies the pet will need. Parents can have their children make a list of all the items the new pet will require, and let them help pick them out.
Parents need to make sure they know the largest the animal will grow, so they can better prepare his habitat.
Parents should teach their children that a new pet may feel frightened or insecure, and needs extra amounts of loving care when he arrives.
Parents should discuss what kind of care the animal will need every day. They should set up a chore list for the children regarding who will be expected to feed the animal, who will take clean up after the animal (including poop duty!), who will bathe or groom the pet, and who will clean any necessary items such as filters or tanks. This way children will know ahead of time what work is in store for them.

Once the new creature has arrived, parents should encourage children to embrace it as a new member of the family who deserves as much kindness and attention as any other human being. Parents should teach children to be gentle and loving toward the pet, and be careful to firmly discourage any rough handling. Children will need to be reminded of their responsibility toward their new pet, and taught to measure the proper amounts of food the animal needs. Children should come along on any veterinarian check-ups the pet requires, so that they can be part of the process of keeping their pet healthy.

Whenever a family brings a new pet into its home, it must prepare for the pet’s needs, decide what animal to purchase as a family, and then care for that animal responsibly after it arrives. Children will likely remember their first pet for years to come!

The copyright of the article Preparing Kids For A Pet in Early Childhood is owned by Abby Deliz. Permission to republish Preparing Kids For A Pet in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.