Having a pet is very beneficial, especially for children. It can teach you the value of responsibility, companionship, and caring for those around us. However, pets are a lifelong responsibility, so all family members (including children) will have to cooperate in caring for them. Here we explain how to teach the smallest members of the household to take care of their pets. Take note!
Food and water
If the children are still young, they can take care of putting food and water in the feeder and drinker. Establish feeding schedules to make it easier for the little ones to accept the routine.
If you have a dog, rabbit, bird or hamster, children can also see that they always have fresh water. However, if they are under the age of ten, you may need help pouring the water into your pet’s bowl.
Clean up your waste
It is also important that children take care of cleaning up pet waste. This involves picking up food that falls out of the feeder, cleaning the water around the feeder, or picking up their toys and placing them in a specific area.
Of course, they can also help adults with the cleaning of the cage or the living room, although always with supervision. If you have a hamster, bird, or rabbit, they can help remove the substrate and replace it with a clean one. On the other hand, if you have a fish, the child could help by changing the water in the tank so that it is clean and fresh.
Pet hygiene
Children can also help in the hygiene of the pet by brushing it daily, especially in the case of dogs, rabbits or cats. However, if children are very young they should do so under the supervision of their parents to avoid
Also, rabbits, birds, hamsters, or cats are capable of self-cleaning, so they don’t need regular baths.
Daily walks
Dogs need daily walks, especially medium and large sized dogs. Therefore, it is a great idea for older children to help with the walks. You must create a schedule to walk with the furry and take turns. If the children are young, they can help by putting the collar or harness on the dog.
On the other hand, if you have a cat, rabbit or hamster they may not need walks. Instead, children can spend time playing with pets so they get some exercise.
