Tips For Introducing Your Kids To Pet Ownership
by Mike Stiven
When your kids start asking you for a pet of their own, you must introduce them to these activities in the proper fashion. Otherwise, they may not fully understand the weight of their responsibilities.
Though 3.2 million households bought pets recently, 5% soon gave them up once they realised how much of an undertaking they were signing up for. Obviously, it’s not good for these animals to find a home, bond with their owners, and then be promptly moved along shortly after. Under ideal circumstances, they would find their forever home with the first interested party.
Therefore, you need to make sure your kids are ready. You can do this by easing them into the idea of pet ownership with a few choice tactics. Read on to discover how introducing your kids to pet ownership can be fun.
Make Certain It’s Not a Phase
Your kids may go through all sorts of phases in their youth. Looking after a pet should not be one of them.
Once they ask for a pet, contemplate their request for a while, even if you judge them to be ready. Do they feel the same way next week or next month? Try to look for consistency in their enthusiasm and what steps they are willing to take to show that they are serious. All of this can be an excellent opportunity to teach them how important it is to stay committed to pet ownership.
There’s no need for secrets, so you can be open about your thinking here should you prefer. After all, they need to know that pets are indeed for life and that the creatures require their owner’s complete devotion over the span of years. Anything less won’t suffice, so let those lessons stir in their minds for a while before making your decision one way or the other.
Tend to Garden Birds
You don’t have to own creatures to take care of them. Teaching your kids this principle is a worthwhile endeavour, and it can also unlock the capabilities they need to look after their own beloved animal.
You can slowly introduce your kids to the idea of pet ownership by refreshing your garden. A few choice additions like these bird supplies by littlepeckers.co.uk can change everything. Feeders, feeding stations, and bird boxes are all available here, as well as bird baths and more. Once your garden is filled with birdsong, it may open your child’s mind some more.
You should articulate that looking after animals is a point of routine and decency. It can also highlight that your pets are not toys but rather part of nature’s harmony. These creatures may not always desire the attention of humans either but require their own space from time to time. Ultimately, tending to the local wildlife through birds is a great way to practically impart some of the principles of pet ownership without an enormous endeavour.
Of course, garden birds are wonderful in their own right too. They can make your green spaces more dynamic and create a beautiful ambience around your home. Consider incorporating them into your garden irrespective of what decision you make regarding a family pet.
Discuss Kid-Friendly Animals when Introducing Your Kids To Pet Ownership
Your child may be set upon having a pet. However, not all pets will take to your child.
Some animals are more kid-friendly than others. After all, a dog’s temperaments can vary depending on its breed alone. If you are looking for a dog, it might be an idea to research the different breeds to find one that compliments your child’s demeanor. Frame these restrictions as a positive step, too, explaining that your child will be more likely to be best pals with a breed that’ll be friendlier toward them.
Other kid-friendly animals include guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, and hamsters. Try to involve your child in the decision-making process too. While a surprise might seem more appealing, it may present the animal as more of a present to be fleetingly enjoyed. Let them choose their furry companion instead, and better the chances of them developing a stronger bond.
Have Fun with the Introduction
When Introducing Your Kids To Pet Ownership, try not to make the meeting of your child and the new pet overly formal. While you should be observing things closely, the tone of the occasion should be one of excitement and levity.
After all, for all the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, the main appeal is the fun and loving dynamic that develops between the owner and the animal. Don’t suck all the joy out of the occasion. Instead, put on your best voice of excitement, or even adopt a fun character of sorts if your kids are young enough to appreciate your acting methods.
It’s to be hoped that your son or daughter will bond with the animal for life.
Depending on the animal you have chosen, your child needs to interact with it confidently. If they’re suddenly shy or tense, then don’t force matters. They will likely warm to the pet once familiarity starts to build.
