Caring for Pets
Background Information & Activities

Many children ask their parents and guardians for a pet, but not every child is ready for the responsibility. Explain to your children that pets are fun, but take serious work. Pets rely on people to take care of them, so owning a pet means caring for another life.

Wild animals are different from pets because they can take care of themselves and live independently of people. Pets, on the other hand, need people to feed and care for them. Like people, pets need water and food. Pets should always have plenty of fresh water available to them, in bottles, bowls, or troughs. Some pets need to be walked several times per day. Some species of snakes only need to eat once a week. It is important for your child to understand that different pets have different needs and require different levels of commitment. It is important that your family researches how to properly care for your pet together. For example, chocolate may be a delicious snack for people, but for dogs it can be deadly.

Pets also need proper shelter to survive. Reptiles, amphibians, insects, and fish need properly equipped tanks to survive. This may mean incorporating heating, cooling, or humidifying equipment to regulate temperature and moisture. Pets that live outside should have a safe, warm structure where they can sleep and stay during bad weather.

Training is also an important part of owning a pet. Training not only allows pets to cohabitate with their owners easily, but it also helps them stay safe. For example, training a cat to avoid jumping on counters will prevent them from being accidentally burned on a stove or breaking an item that could hurt them. Training a dog to sit, stay, and come will prevent it from running into busy streets. Training a bird not to bite will ensure it receives more affection and interaction with its owners.

Most children dislike cleaning up after pets, but explain that it is an important job. A clean pet is a healthy pet. Grooming and picking up after a pet are important. Taking the pet to the veterinarian, or a doctor that treats pets, is also an important part of having a pet. Vaccinations, or injections that prevent the animal from getting diseases, may be necessary depending on the animal. Veterinarians can also spay or neuter a pet and prevent unwanted offspring. Animal shelters are overflowing with stray animals and fixing a pet is part of a greater social responsibility.

Remind children that though pets are cute, not all are comfortable around strangers or safe. Children should always ask the owner before petting or playing with a pet. They should allow cats and dogs to sniff their hands and get familiar with their scents before petting. Furthermore, children should always wash their hands after they handle a pet. Many animals carry germs that can make people sick and some animals may have ticks that carry Lyme disease, which can spread to humans. We recommend watching the Washing Hands movie to review proper hand-washing techniques.

Finally, review that pets are fun but they also take work. Finding the right pet is crucial. Pets that need little supervision, such as fish and spiders, may be more appropriate for children and families who do not have a lot of free time. Dogs may be right for active children and families. Small rodents may be a good fit for families in small homes or apartments. Encourage your children to figure out their needs and think about what pets need before selecting a pet. Millions of unwanted pets are euthanized in the United States every year, so once a pet is brought into the family, it is important to act responsibly.

Caring for Pets Teacher Activities – Click Here!

Caring for Pets Family Activities – Click Here!

Caring for Pets Teacher Activities

Class Pet

If possible, get a class pet. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about animal care and responsibility. Together as a class, discuss what kind of pet would be appropriate. Does a student have allergies to any animals? Why might a dog not be the best pet for a class? After choosing a pet, discuss what the animal would need to live and be happy. What kind of food does it eat? What kind of shelter does it need? Have students conduct research in the library or on the Internet. You may wish to divide the class into small groups and have each group research and present on an aspect of the animal’s needs. Create a schedule that outlines the pet’s feeding and cleaning schedule. Who will take the animal home on the weekends? Finally bring the pet to class and review proper handling techniques, how to clean the cage, and how to feed the pet.

Pet Survey

As a math activity, take a survey of the kinds of pets students own. How many students have dogs? How many have cats? How many have snakes? Create a tally chart on the board and write down students’ answers. Then have students draw a pictograph or bar graph using the data. Encourage students to think about how pictographs and bar graphs help visualize data. Discuss the graphs and help students analyze the data. Which pet is most popular? Which pet is least popular? How many more dog owners than cat owners are in the class?

Interview

If possible, bring in someone who works with animals to describe their jobs and their training. You may want to bring in a veterinarian, an animal rescue worker, a shelter volunteer, or zoo keeper. You may wish to brainstorm questions with your students before the interview. Where did the person go to school? What did he or she study? What are the hardest and easiest parts of the job? If possible, have the interviewee explain tips with working with animals.

Caring for Pets Family Activities

Pets in Need

Visit a local animal shelter, or pet adoption fair with your child. Explain that many pets get abandoned because their owners can no longer take care of them. Other pets get lost during moves or during emergencies, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. If possible, you and your child can volunteer for an afternoon, by providing human contact and affection for the animals and training them so they are ready to live in new homes.

Get a Pet

A pet is a great way to teach responsibility. Before getting a new pet, assess your child’s level of responsibility with chores and schoolwork. If your child still needs to be more responsible before becoming a pet owner, write down goals and tasks together. You may wish to pick an animal that is relatively low-maintenance and independent, such as a lizard, newt, or snake. Small rodents such as hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and rabbits require more attention but make relatively easy pets. Encourage your child to research the pet’s needs and together make a schedule to feed and clean the pet. Remind your child that attention and mental stimulation are also important needs for pets. Encourage them to empathize with their pet and imagine how they would like to be treated.