Most kids remember their first pet for life. Pets enrich our lives at any age, and having a pet at home can actually help your child with their social, physical, mental, and emotional development. If you have a family pet in your home, don’t hesitate to have your child help out with different pet-related chores. Participating in pet care can have numerous benefits for your child and your pet.
Which pet care chores can children help with?
The right pet care chores to delegate to your child will depend on their age and disposition. For young kids, stick to supervised tasks like measuring portions of food for daily meals, coming along for daily walks, and brushing your pet. As kids get older, they can take on tasks like scooping the litter box or cleaning up pet waste in the backyard, going for short walks on their own, or helping with your pet’s bath time.
Why should your kids take part in pet care?
Involving your child in your pet’s care can have several positive effects, including:
- Improve their bond with the family pet. When children spend more time caring for pets, they build a stronger bond with the animal.
- Build social skills. Caring for pets can show children how to respect boundaries and read body language, as they will learn how to interact with your pet in a healthy and respectful way. They will also build a strong sense of companionship.
- Create a strong sense of responsibility. Caring for another living creature can show children the value of taking on responsibilities and the importance of accountability.
Your veterinarian can help your entire family improve your pet’s quality of life by providing tips on how to best care for your pet. They can also recommend age-appropriate pet care activities for every member of the family. Schedule your pet’s next wellness exam with your veterinarian to get on the right track with their daily care at home.
