Strenghthening the Human-Animal Bond
Having a pet can be a rewarding and enriching experience for children, but a strong human-animal bond is not guaranteed. The quality of this bond depends on establishing responsible care, realistic expectations, and mutual respect. Here are important things families should consider before bringing a pet home.
Before Getting a Pet: What to Know
Your Pet Should Compliment Your Lifestyle
Just like people, all animals are individuals, often with unique needs and preferences that vary by species and/or breed. Before bringing home a pet, it’s important for a family to research the animal and be mindful of how the family’s lifestyle and expectations may impact the pet’s needs and well-being.
Consider the following examples:
- Dogs require regular attention, interaction, walks and other daily care, meaning they may not be suitable for a family who is rarely at home.
- Reptiles may not be the best choice for families with young children or those who are immunocompromised. Most reptiles naturally carry the bacteria Salmonella, which can cause infection and illness in individuals with vulnerable immune systems.
Choose a pet that fits your family and lifestyle and be prepared to adapt routines to meet the animal’s needs.
Set Realistic Expectations
A family may have a specific reason for getting a pet, such as wanting a cat that curls up on their lap, or a dog that loves hugs. However, it’s important to avoid generalizing, as not all animals will behave the way we hoped. For example, some cats are independent and don’t enjoy cuddling, and many dogs feel anxious or threatened when hugged.
Unmet expectations may cause frustration and hinder a child’s bond with their pet. Therefore, it is important to teach children that all animals are unique and that caring for a pet also means respecting their individual preferences.
Recognize the Work Involved
While having a pet can be a fun experience for a child, it’s also important to bring awareness to the various responsibilities and sacrifices that are involved- feeding, grooming, cleaning up messes, walking their pet (even when they don’t feel like it!) and more. A family should be patient, organized, and equipped with the resources they need to meet the pet’s needs on a daily basis.
Understand the Financial Commitment
The cost of caring for a pet may vary and can add up quickly. Therefore, it’s important that families are aware of the costs ahead of time and how they can change throughout a pets life. It’s also important to consider the importance of investing in preventative care to prevent larger costs later. For example, neglecting routine veterinary care can lead to greater veterinary expenses down the road.
Commit to Kind, Consistent Training
If an animal does not receive sufficient positive enforcement training or socialization, or is trained via punishment-based approaches, this can result in behavioural problems which are often difficult to navigate.
For instance, cats that are shouted at or sprayed with water when doing something ‘wrong’ (punishment), tend to be more aggressive. These problems can negatively impact a child’s relationship with their animal and may result in the child being fearful of the animal or no longer being interested in taking care of their pet.
It’s important that families are patient and committed to using positive reinforcement training for the entire duration of the animal’s life.
Do the Research
Not all pets have the same needs, so it’s important that all family members have the necessary knowledge to take care of their chosen pet, such as knowing what foods to avoid feeding or how much exercise their pet needs to thrive.
Even pets that are considered “easy” to take care of have complex needs that require adult oversight. Having this background knowledge will always ensure the well-being of the animal.