Kids and Pets
Considering a Pet
Are you thinking about getting a pet for your kids? Then carefully consider whether or not the your family is ready for this commitment. Keep in mind that the pet will depend on your family for care and love, and your child may not be able to provide all of these needs alone. A "pet for the child" may end up being cared for by the adults in the family as well.
Pets provide many positive experiences for children, including developing self-esteem, compassion and empathy. Children may find a good friend in their pet, and will learn lessons in responsibility, respect, living and dying.
According to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), "Ultimately, your children will learn how to treat animals -- and people -- by watching how you treat the family pet. They'll study how you feed, pet, and exercise your companion animal. And they'll pay close attention to how you react when a pet scratches the furniture, barks excessively, or soils in the house. Frustrating as these problems are, 'getting rid of' the pet isn't just unfair to the pet and your children, but it also sends the wrong message about commitment, trust, and responsibility." If you find that your new pet is causing problems, consider talking with your vet or trainer about the causes of the behavioral problems or other issues you're facing.
Pet Responsibilities & Interactions
Once you have decided on a pet, your children can participate in various responsibilities, depending on their ages and maturity levels. Even a very young child can help the family by helping picking out toys or playing with the pet under supervision.
Older children can assist in duties such as feeding, grooming or cleaning the pet's area. But be realistic in assigning the tasks to your children, and also supervise to make sure the animal is being properly cared for.
Set up ground rules regarding care for the animal. HSUS encourages parents to, "tell your children not to pull the animal's tail, ears, or other body parts, and insist that they never tease, hit, or chase the pet. Teach children how to properly pick up, hold, and pet the animal." Supervise your children's interaction with the pet, and make sure they understand that like people, animals sometimes don't want to be bothered. Teach your children the warning signs of an animal who is annoyed (i.e. flat ears, growling, hissing).
According to The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), "Although most children are gentle and appropriate with pets, some may be overly rough or even abusive. If such behavior persists, it may be a sign of significant emotional problems. Any child who abuses, tortures or kills animals should be referred to a child and adolescent psychiatrist for a comprehensive evaluation."
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