So Your Child Wants a Pet: A Dos and Don'ts Guide

July 7, 2016

With summer in full swing, you can see the hope in your child's eyes. They have always wanted a pet of their very own, and they promise to feed it and take it on a walk every day and pick up its little gifts from the backyard. Unfortunately, all of these promises so often go unfulfilled once the new family member has been brought home. If you are willing to take that step and give your child new responsibilities, there are a few ways to make sure the pet is cared for and your kiddo learns from the experience.

DON'T expect them to care for the pet right away

Just like a human baby, pets are a big responsibility. Depending on the age of the child, suddenly becoming responsible for caring for another living thing can be overwhelming. Take small steps and make sure your expectations are clear. Start with, say, feeding Fido every day and cleaning up the yard once per week. Then add on a daily walk, vet visits, and bathing. This type of progressive responsibility will help your child get a handle on the first chore before moving on to the next one.

DON'T give the pet away if your child gets bored

It happens time and time again. Kiddo really, really wants a kitten, but then he never cleans the litter box, so mom and dad are forced to give the kitty away. Pets are a lifetime investment. They are not toys, but living things with emotions. Make sure your child – and your budget – are ready for a dozen-year commitment before bringing a puppy or kitten home. This means that, yes, you will likely have to do some pet care as well if your child goes to camp or even when they leave home for college.

DO set clear expectations

Sometimes, pet care gets left behind by the child and the parent is left holding the bag. Explain your expectations to your child before the adoption. Make a chore list or calendar that your child is responsible for that details all pet-related care so your child can visually see the amount of work they will have to do. Once the chore is complete, it gets crossed off the list. This will help your child remember everything that she is responsible for and help you keep up with their progress.

DO give a trial run first

As stated above, don't buy a pet with plans to give it away if things don't work out, but give your child practice with similar chores for a few weeks before committing to a pet. If you have neighbors or relatives with pets, offer up your child's services so she can get practice caring for a pet before bringing home her own. If your kid can't keep up with pet chores for a month, it's unlikely they will be able to do it for the pet's lifetime. And, hey, your friends will thank you for the extra pair of hands!