Children & Pets

Most children love animals, whether they are watching lions and gorillas at the zoo, romping with the family dog, or feeding the classroom guinea pig. This natural attraction is the perfect opportunity for the children to learn some basic concepts about the animal world and to care for something other than themselves.

Pets-like people-have basic needs: a safe place to live, the right kind of foods to eat, and water to drink. Each animal, however, has specific housing and food needs. Even young children can learn that rodents must chew on hard foods to keep their teeth from growing too long, that fish must have clean water to breathe, or that turtles require a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meats. They can learn that parakeets depend on people to keep their cages clean and that house cats need frequent litter-box changes.

Children also learn that different animals must be handled in different ways. They learn to be gentle with small animals, and they realize that they must help some pets get exercise.

Some families are not allowed to have cats and dogs in the apartment or house that they rent. Small animals that live in aquariums or cages, such as fish, hermit crabs, or hamsters, make ideal pets in these situations. Other families choose not to own pets because of allergies or preference. Children in these families may learn at school about caring for live animals. Some kids even pretend to care for stuffed-animal pets at home.

Whatever children’s particular experiences with pets, these enhance kids’ sense of responsibility and caring.