| How can my child benefit from having a pet? | | | | |
| | | | How can I keep my child healthy and safe |
| 1. Social skills and self-esteem. Feelings | | | | around a pet? |
| and positive experiences with their pet can | | | | |
| help children feel good about their own. | | | | 1. Choose your pets wisely, if you don't |
| Loving a pet can also help kids to love and | | | | already own a pet, study and learn from the |
| trust other people. | | | | different breeds and species, you will find |
| | | | that some are specially "kid friendly". |
| 2. Exercise. All pets need to exercise, and | | | | |
| playing with their pet is a fun way to | | | | 2. Consider any allergies a family member |
| incorporate some physical activity to your | | | | could have, before acquiring a pet. Consult |
| kid's lifestyle. | | | | with your kid's pediatrician about any |
| | | | allergies that may be present. |
| 3. Responsibility and respect. To learn how | | | | |
| to take care of their pet can help kids | | | | 3. Take your pet to the veterinary to a |
| develop empathy, concern and responsibility | | | | general check up before you bring it home. |
| towards other beings. On top of that, during | | | | |
| the life cycle of the pet, parents have the | | | | * Always supervise interaction between pets |
| opportunity to talk to their kids about | | | | and kids. |
| birth, sickness and death. | | | | |
| | | | * Teach your child not to touch any pet, |
| 4. Parent interaction. Kids and their parents | | | | unless you say it's OK to do so. |
| can spend more time together playing and | | | | |
| taking care of their pet. | | | | * Never leave pets and kids unattended. Kids |
| | | | tend to play rough and that could provoke an |
| How can my child help take care of the pet? | | | | attack or harm a small pet. |
| | | | |
| 1. A small child can help out by feeding or | | | | * Make sure your child stays away while the |
| providing fresh water to their pet (portions | | | | pet is eating, sleeping or taking care of its |
| must be measured by you). | | | | own offspring. |
| | | | |
| 2. The child can help walking the pet, not | | | | * Teach your child to keep a good hygiene, |
| alone of course, but just another time to | | | | not to touch the pet droppings and wash his |
| spend together with your kid. | | | | hands after playing with the pet. |
| | | | |
| 3. Children can help you in bathing and | | | | * Treat immediately any scratch or bite |
| grooming the pet. | | | | caused by a pet. Consult with your child's |
| | | | pediatrician if the scratch or bite tears |
| 4. Assign to your child small, simple tasks | | | | your child's skin. |
| that can be performed under your supervision. | | | | |