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