Pets are valuable members of many children’s lives, and they become a companion during the most tumultuous times. Parental involvement, open discussion, and planning help make pet ownership a positive experience for everyone.
The child who learns to care for an animal, and treat them kindly, may just get invaluable training in learning how to treat people too the same way. Negligent treatment of animals is not only bad for the animal involved; it could also be unhealthy for both the pet and the owner.
Pets are important in children’s lives, both for their personal health and the health of their development. It’s important to establish a conversation with your child about what owning a pet means.
A child who learns to care for an animal responsibly and knows the risks associated will later learn to treat people with kindness and patience, skills that go far beyond caring for a pet.
Choosing an Appropriate Pet
Pets are an important part of many children’s lives. As parents, we should make ongoing plans to help us raise responsible, happy pet owners. Encouraging open discussions and helping the child learn to care for animals lovingly will help with future decisions in life, such as how they treat their peers. Consistent neglectful treatment of animals is unhealthy for not just pets but also the children involved.
Caring for a Pet
Children who care for a pet might experience benefits they didn’t expect before they raise it by themselves. However, guidelines must be followed: Since very young children (under the age of three to four years) are not mature enough to control their aggressive and angry impulses with pets in close proximity, they should always be monitored with their pets.
Young children (under ten years) are also incapable of caring for a large animal, a cat or dog without help. Parents must oversee the pet’s care even if they think they child is old enough to do this themselves.
Children should be reminded in a gentle and non-threatening way that animals need food, water, and exercise just like people do. If a child continues to neglect his or her pet, then finding another home for the animal might be necessary. The reminder is always important for parents as well as children because parents serve as role models for future good behavior when it comes to caring for animals.
Advantages of Pet Ownership
A child who has pets can experience many measurable benefits. A good relationship with a pet can help develop empathy, non-verbal communication, and more. Pets also provide teaching moments about life such as reproduction, birth, illness, death, and more.
They also develop self-esteem and moral skills in children today that might otherwise be difficult to find outside of family and friends.
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