------------------------------------
Contributions & donations
by dog lovers like you
ensure that The Puppy Network
can continue to provide
everyone with the latest
articles and resources for
their beloved canine pets!
Make safe and secure online donations with PayPal!
----------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
How can my child benefit from having a pet?
1. Social skills and self-esteem. Feelings and positive experiences
with their pet can help children feel good about their own. Loving
a pet can also help kids to love and trust other people.
2. Exercise. All pets need to exercise, and playing with their pet
is a fun way to incorporate some physical activity to your
kid’s lifestyle.
3. Responsibility and respect. To learn how to take care of their
pet can help kids develop empathy, concern and responsibility
towards other beings. On top of that, during the life cycle of the
pet, parents have the opportunity to talk to their kids about
birth, sickness and death.
4. Parent interaction. Kids and their parents can spend more time
together playing and taking care of their pet.
How can my child help take care of the pet?
1. A small child can help out by feeding or providing fresh water
to their pet (portions must be measured by you).
2. The child can help walking the pet, not alone of course, but
just another time to spend together with your kid.
3. Children can help you in bathing and grooming the pet.
4. Assign to your child small, simple tasks that can be performed
under your supervision.
How can I keep my child healthy and safe around a pet?
1. Choose your pets wisely, if you don’t already own a pet,
study and learn from the different breeds and species, you will
find that some are specially “kid friendly”.
2. Consider any allergies a family member could have, before
acquiring a pet. Consult with your kid’s pediatrician about
any allergies that may be present.
3. Take your pet to the veterinary to a general check up before you
bring it home.
* Always supervise interaction between pets and kids.
* Teach your child not to touch any pet, unless you say it’s
OK to do so.
* Never leave pets and kids unattended. Kids tend to play rough and
that could provoke an attack or harm a small pet.
* Make sure your child stays away while the pet is eating, sleeping
or taking care of its own offspring.
* Teach your child to keep good hygiene, not touch the pet
droppings, & wash hands after playing with the pet.
* Treat immediately any scratch or bite caused by a pet. Consult
with your child’s pediatrician if the scratch or bite tears
your child’s skin.
About the Author: Mariangie González is an Agronomist with a major in Animal Science and runs the day-to-day operations of her home-based business and website which carries natural pet care, pet aromatherapy, holistic pet health, pet toys, pet jewelry and much more. She can also help you start your own home-based 100% natural pet supplies business, you can visit online at: http://www.MindBodyAndPaw.com