Kids and Pets

Helping care for a pet by feeding him, grooming him, and interacting with him can teach your child about responsibility and nurturing. Here are some ways children of all ages can help:

THREE TO FIVE YEARS

Pour pre-measured food and water into serving dishes.

"Baby-Sit" pocket pets in another container while a parent or older sibling cleans the cage.

Place stickers on a chart to monitor feeding, obedience skills, watering, and cage cleaning.

Help line the bird cage with paper.

Pour fresh cedar shavings into hamster or guinea pig cage.

SIX TO NINE YEARS

Change water.

Hold the leash for a small dog on a walk with an adult or older sibling supervising.

Play with pocket pets while an adult or older sibling cleans cage.

Help give the dog a bath.

TEN YEARS AND UP

Measure food.

Walk a dog small enough to be controlled by a child, with an adult or older sibling supervising.

Brush a cat or dog.

Clean cage.