Many parents have heard their kids plead for a dog, a cat, or even a hamster with promises to give it food, water, exercise, and anything else it might need.
According to the American Pet Products Association, 94 million households in the United States have a pet, with 68 million owning a dog and 49 million owning a cat.
Adopting a pet is a big responsibility, but it’s also a great chance for kids to learn important life lessons while making fun, meaningful memories!
We put together a guide to help you understand the benefits and responsibilities that come with pet ownership:
Why should kids have pets?
Learning opportunities
Having a pet in the family provides great opportunities for kids to learn important life skills without even realizing it. Doing daily tasks — such as feeding, brushing, and walking a pet — teaches responsibility, patience, and consistency.
When a living animal depends on them for care, kids quickly discover that their actions matter. Kids also develop time management skills as they build daily routines around the needs of their pet.
As kids learn to read their pet’s body language (for example, a dog’s wagging tail), they start to understand what it means for a pet to be excited, scared, or frustrated. This helps youth build empathy and compassion for both animals and people. Caring for a pet shows kids what it means to put someone else’s needs first.
Mental health benefits
According to a poll from the American Psychiatric Association, 86% of pet owners say their pets have a positive impact on their mental health. Pet owners say their pets help reduce stress and anxiety, provide unconditional love and support, offer companionship, provide a calming presence, and are true friends.
For kids, pets provide the perfect companions to give support without judgment. The unconditional love of a pet creates a safe place for kids to express their emotions and find comfort when they’re lonely or overwhelmed.
How can kids help take care of pets?
Pets need a lot of love and care, so there are plenty of ways for kids to pitch in! Kids in preschool can start by watching how adults care for pets and assisting with simple tasks like filling water or food bowls.
Elementary school-aged kids can learn to safely give treats, help with brushing, and even join in during vet visits. By middle school, many kids are ready to clean cages, scoop poop in the yard, or take on litter box duty, but they still need supervision and reminders to wash their hands afterward.
Teens can take the lead on tasks like walking, exercising, bathing, and training pets, but it’s a good idea for adults to check in and make sure the pet is getting the care it needs. If your kids seem unenthusiastic about their tasks, remind them that their efforts are keeping their pets happy and healthy!
To help you out, we created a free Pet Care Checklist for you to keep track of everything you need to do to help care for your pet! Download the pdf, print out some copies, and fill it out each week so you always give your pet the love and attention it needs.
How do you choose the right pet?
Before you bring home a new pet, take a moment to think about what kind of animal fits your family’s lifestyle. How much time, space, and energy can you realistically offer? Talking it through as a family is a great way to set expectations and get everyone on board.
Many rescue organizations can help match families with pets based on animals’ personalities, energy levels, and space requirements. Even small animals such as rabbits and hamsters aren’t low-maintenance! Many of these pets need specialized diets, daily cage cleaning, and a lot of enrichment.
Most importantly, every pet is a living being who depends on you. Even if your kids promise to do everything, the responsibility still ultimately falls to the adults.
If now isn’t the right time to adopt a pet, that’s okay! Volunteering at a local animal shelter or helping care for a friend’s pet allows kids to connect with animals without the full-time commitment.
Caring for a pet helps kids build valuable life skills and gives them a loyal companion along the way. By including your kids in the process of adopting and caring for a pet, you’re creating meaningful experiences they’ll carry with them for life. After all, pets aren’t just animals — they’re part of the family!
