We believe that almost all kids benefit from growing up with pets. The special bonds they form with their furry friends can stay with them forever and instill a lifelong love of animals.
There is a caveat, though. Growing up with pets should also mean learning that pet ownership comes with a lot of responsibility. Otherwise, they may grow into adults who adopt pets without realizing what’s involved.
That said, not all pet care tasks are appropriate for kids. We broke it down by age to help you assign the right chores at the right time.
Age 3 and below
At this stage, the best thing to focus on is teaching them how to safely and respectfully interact with animals, including ones they know and ones they don’t know. They should learn how to be gentle and not treat pets like toys. They can also observe you doing pet-related tasks as you explain what you’re doing. Kids are little sponges and they’ll learn a lot about pet care simply by watching you.
Age 4-6
They can begin helping you with simple tasks like pouring pre-measured food into bowls, accompanying you on walks, and putting away toys. However, any tasks they perform should always be supervised by an adult.
Ages 7-12
As your child becomes more independent, you should be able to assign them daily or weekly tasks they can perform on their own. You may want to start with something simple like refilling your pet’s water bowl, being in charge of one feeding per day, or helping out with grooming. The important thing is that they start to learn that their pets depend on them for care.
Ages 13+
When your kids enter their teen years, they should take on greater responsibility. If you have a dog, perhaps your teen could handle one walk per day or picking up after them in the yard. And cat owners should have teens help with cleaning the litter box. While these jobs aren’t always fun, they are a major part of responsible pet ownership.
Other tips for all ages:
- Bring your kids along on visits to the veterinarian so they can see that pets need to go to the doctor, too.
- Share with kids how much you spend on various pet needs including food, medicine, and toys.
- Have them help out with regular pet cleanup like vacuuming and mopping.
- Ask them to assist you with bathing, brushing, or dental care.
- Involve them in training new pets.
- Always supervise your children’s pet chores until you are absolutely sure they’re capable of handling things independently.
Ultimately, you’re the best judge of when your children are ready to take on various pet responsibilities. The point is not to overload them with chores or make pet ownership seem unpleasant. You just want your kids to understand firsthand that pet care involves work, money, and time. That way when they grow up, they’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about their own pets.
