I’m starting this post with a big dose of tough love. Please do not get a pet for the child in your life unless you are quite sure your family is ready for the care it will take to add this adventure to your family. It is a very, very, very, very, very, very big responsibility. Did you catch that? Very big! Don’t expect your small child to care for the pet independently. At best, they will help you feed the pet, give it water, and exercise it. Even if a child is older, he or she might not be ready for this full responsibility. They might be really good at it at first and then lose interest. Be prepared for that. It will be up to the parents to provide the care. I know that puppy, or kitten, or bunny, or little anything is so cute, but they don’t stay little. They grow. They need to be groomed. They need vet care. It’s a big deal. Pets are amazing, but I just want you to be ready.
If you are ready for a pet, that’s wonderful. They are an excellent way for children to learn responsibility and compassion. When our children were growing up, we insisted that they always feed and give fresh water to their animals before they sat down to eat. Not only did that ensure the pets were well cared for, but it also trained the kids to form good habits. A child will not forget when they are hungry, but they might forget that their animal is hungry. When they pair the pet feeding habit with their own hunger cue, it is a life skill of leadership to initiate a task and follow through. It is compassion in action.
Beyond feeding, pets need to get proper exercise. You will have happier pets that have toys and treats that keep them busy and calm. An unhappy pet can bring a lot of stress to a family. Be proactive so you will not be frustrated by bored pets.
- Pupsicle Durable for dogs 25-75 pounds. Easy to fill, less messy natural rubber toy that holds a treat in the middle.
- The Dog Treat Maze Level 2 puzzle keeps pups and dogs busy. It holds 1 cup of food and slows eating. It can help reduce anxiety, barking, chewing, and digging. In our family, Ollie, a small dachshund, and Bailey, a English Lab, are two completely different sizes, but they both love it.
- Kong Dog Toys These are designed to keep large dogs busy for quite a while as they work to retrieve the hidden treat. They are made of very durable natural rubber. They should last quite a while, but I know a couple of brindle doggies who might really give them a work out.
- Chuck It Ball Launcher This ball launcher has a long handle. This is great for kids with sensory issues who want to play fetch with their dog, but can’t stand the slobber.
- Interactive Cat Toys This is a toy for children mature enough to play with their cats. It is a fishing ball like want with different toys to put on the end. Cats love to chase and catch the toys.
- Automatic Butterfly Toy for Cats This will keep your cat busy when you can’t be home or you are doing everything. We bring more peace to our homes when we can keep our pets from being bored.
- Dog Treat: Turkey Tendon Pretzel: This treat will also keep them busy and is a safe alternative to rawhide (hypoallergenic for large breeds). Treats for smaller dogs
- Cat treats: Vital Essentials Salmon Bites: There are a lot of cats in our extended family and I know they love salmon: C’mon and get it Bella, Sox, Han, Keira, Sven, Sonny, Morty, and Pistachio. I told you it was a lot.
WINS: leadership, relationship, responsibility for kids. The pet toys will stimulate pets and keep them busy. Toys are durable and made of safe. The treats are natural and use healthy ingredients.
Photo credit: ctmphotog
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