Passing Over The Reigns: Raising A Child & A Pet

When it comes to parenting a child, there is quite a bit to look after even with one child. This full time job requires more than school teaches and has to be accustomed to each individual child. Just about every parent faces their child’s puppy dog look which ends up leading to a sincere request for a pet they can call their own. This is when parents are faced with several questions that must be answered before that little ball of fur brought home. The two biggest concerns: Financial & Time. These are the two areas that should be evaluated before owning a pet. They will be a joy to bring into your home and will bring more than you could ever ask for to your family. But, if it is not the right time to own a pet whether it be: travel, money, time, space, work or simply uncertainty…than go with your gut feeling. Here are some questions that parents are often faced with when it comes to raising a child and a pet.

Will I be taking care of the pet 24/7/365?

This is my favorite, because many parents simply overlook the fact that they have a child that is probably capable of helping with the tedious routine tasks to the biggest of concerns. Your child will learn more than even your top-rated school can teach. Those life lessons that have to be experienced to mature like: Responsibility, Affection, Sharing, Love, Selflessness, Organization, Scheduling and Friendship are only a start of a very long list. Don’t be afraid to pass the role of pet care to your child. You will find in the beginning that you will be doing most of the work and it may seem like double duty – but watch how your child grows, acts, learns, and matures from simply caring after “their” pet.

How much responsibility should I expect from my child? Is there a point where I should not try to push them?

In the beginning it will take a lot of pushing, asking, and time-outs before your child is ready to take the reigns. But after this tough period has passed your little one will have values that can only be learned from owning a pet. It should be remembered that you will need to be able to devote time to take care of the pet yourself. Let your child help you in all pet responsibilities (meals, cleaning areas, grooming and even walks), but do not expect your child to care solely for your pet. Within each task of caring after an animal there is a great opportunity to teach your child new responsibility, such as: how many times per day to feed the pet and how to look after something other than themselves. Teach your child proper grooming care, such as brushing techniques and bathing frequency. You might find that they will start wanting to groom themselves more as well. Go for a daily walks with your pet and give your child the reigns.

At what age is it okay to allow my child to care for household pets?

There is no specific age when a child will be responsible for animal care, because children mature at different stages. If you start teaching your child the dos and don’ts early on, then they will learn more quickly.

As a general rule, your child can take care of a pet when he can take care of himself. If he brushes his teeth and bathes by himself, then this is a sign of maturity and responsibility. If your child prepares his own snacks (not just grabbing a pack of crackers out of the snack drawer), then he more than likely is on his way to understanding the importance of food. Even if you think your child can handle taking care of a pet, he should still be supervised. At first, he should ask your permission to feed the pet, play with him, or give him treats.

Are there pets that are easy for my child to take care of?

Some pets require more time and attention than others. The ones that require more time and attention also require more responsibility on the owner’s part. Dogs are household animals that can be difficult to take care of. A young child should not be expected to take care of a dog on his own. If you want to teach your child how to take care of a dog, then you may want to consider adopting an adult dog over a puppy. Adult dogs are often more relaxed around children, and they do not require as much attention as young puppies. Research is a must when bringing an older pet into the family, simply because want to keep your child safe. From my experience, this relationship is a lot less demanding on parents and less stressful for the pet.

Many people want to know if a rabbit is the easiest pet for their child to care for. Reasons: they are caged, known for being nice, don’t require large amounts of products (food, littler, bedding,etc.). Unfortunately, children are not able to interact with rabbits as much as they would like. Rabbits are often frightened by loud noises and quick movements and do not like to be held. Rabbits can also be easily injured by a child who wants to play. The rabbit’s habitat requires constant cleaning, and they love to chew on things, making them more like dogs than easy-to-care-for pets.

Dogs and cats are my favorite for children. Cats don’t have to have full time attention and are comfortable on their own. They still require care, but if you go out of town than there really is not a lot to be concerned with. You will still be teaching your child values that are a necessity for success. Dogs take a little more, but as we all know they really do live up to their reputation – Man’s Best Friend.

What other lessons will my child pick up from owning a pet?

If you teach your child proper animal care along the way, then the learning possibilities are endless. You child will learn to pick the foods that your pets likes (reading ingredients, portion size, prices, etc.). Your child can also learn the importance of fitness(exercise, fitness, health, etc.). Bathing the pet will teach them the importance of staying clean and why. Caring for someone other then themselves and why it is important. I often find, along with many pet owning families, that the child would rather have their pet by their side over any chore or amount of punishment they might receive. What better way to teach your child not to be selfish than to watch them care for a pet more than they do themselves.

In The End
Pass the reigns of owning a pet over to your child and watch them grow into the person you want them to become. They will have the values that only life experiences can teach and in my books you couldn’t ask for a better way.

The Clever Parents column, Pet Perspective, is written by Collin Walker who is a trainer, practitioner, educator and specialist of pet related issues. Collin devotes his time to exploring the matters that shape the connection between pet owners and their pets. He has co-authored, written and taught these matters to make that truly inspirational bond even stronger. He hopes that through his articles he can pass forth knowledge that will make even the everyday parent - become an expert. Educate, Exercise, and Experience. Visit Collin’s website at www.pet-super-store.com