What have your kids learned from caring for your family pet?

[EllieSmumsnet]

Pets can teach children so much, from responsibility and empathy to confidence around animals. Getting kids involved in simple, everyday care (feeding, brushing, playing, walking) can make a real difference. We’d love to hear your experiences: how have your pets helped your kids learn and grow, and in what ways do you involve them in caring for your animals?

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I get my 4 year old to help out with our dog. I ask her questions like 'What does Nutmeg need this morning?' and she tells me all the things that we need to do. I think it's making her more responsible.

My teens have grown up with dogs and they have learnt, responsibility, the walk them and feed them often. They also have learnt that have a big hug makes you feel much better especially a furry one.

My kids have learned that sometimes others needs need to come first. The dog sometimes needs walking before dinner or we need to pop home to check on her before doing an activity. This has instilled a sense of responsiblity in them they would not have had.

Horribly, they learned to cope with death, and how to recover from loss.

Mine have learned responsibility. Responsibility for someone who can't take care of themselves.

Empathy is another one.

Having a dog has allowed my DCs to freely express love and compassion (outside me and dh), and experience a very special kind of love that they freely express - getting a dog was one of the best decisions we've made over the years.

Compassion and consideration: that, even if you don’t like the smell of the cat food, this small creature is dependent upon you for its food. So, if you’re the only person in the house when it comes asking for food, you hold your nose and feed it.

My grandchildren have learnt that pets have feelings, can feel pain, joy and excitement and that they can love you dearly and need to be able to rely on you. My 3 yr old grandchild has learnt he can work with the dog on issues such as delayed gratification and self regulation.

They adore each other. His parents are extremely supportive of this relationship even though they cannot have a dog themselves for practical reasons.

Well we only had goldfish so it was never going to be quantum physics or the joy of the great outdoors. That life is short, that's for sure.

All things must die
You can buy hamster sized ashes urns on Amazon
Most Things bite
An escaped hamster is an emergency- everything stops until it’s found
Don't trust the “hamster play pens” claim that it’s chew proof
HK covid related hamster kill mandates don’t extend to hamsters bred in HK.

it’s been an education

My girls asked for a cat when they were little and it is interesting how both have such different relationships with her, years later. My eldest feeds the cat and looks after her needs, but my middle girl is the one that plays with her and interacts with her the most. It’s definitely taught them to be more responsible, but the cat knows how to communicate her needs!

My autistic DS2 has developed so much since getting a cat, they are best buddies.

DS was 3, non verbal and loved animals (but they were scared of him because of the stimming and loudness). We took the risk and got a kitten, he was fascinated and loved playing with him, he learnt how to be gentle and understand the needs of others and within a few weeks was saying his name and trying to tell me all the naughty things he was doing. 5 years later we have a wonderful calm DS and a cat who isn't phased by anything and has DS well trained to give him dreamies.

Dont poke a sleeping cat. It WILL bite you. Im joking...
my DD learnt compassion, and give and take, she doesn't always want fuss, you dont always want attention all the time either. Shes like you but furry, that helped my daughter understand boundaries.
It was soft lessons with my first much loved cat. I lost her over 9 years ago now. I still think of her daily.

They have learned about unconditional love. They learned to be considerate of pets needs. They learned a furry cuddle makes you feel better if you are sad.

My DS is an only child with SEN so the cat is the closest thing he has to a sister. He’s learned about greater compassion, patience, reading body language and sharing our love and attention. It’s so important as he has a tendency to think the world revolves around him.

Our daughter is responsible (we check and gently remind of ever needed) for making sure our cat has fresh water each morning and checks his dry food is topped up.

Ummm ... Not to drop raisins on the floor?
Not to do jigsaw puzzles too near the edge of a table?

DD2 loves feeding them and petting them. Took a while for her to lose the fear though haha.

Responsibility for caring for an animal. Experience of death.

My kids are adults now but what they learnt from our pets which ranged from horses down to rats is responsibility and compassion and that you make sure that your animal is comfortable , fed and cared for before worrying about your own condition . They have grown up to be kind , animal loving people .

Having a pet is a great experience for children, teaches responsibility, compassion and they can be a real part of the family. Losing a pet is hard though, but part of it.

That dogs need regular walks, so they need to go out for a walk even in the rain.

Annoyingly, that a parent will usually pick up the slack for the benefit of the much beloved pooch. Yes, I know. My mantra to parents considering getting a dog cos DC are badgering them, 'Do you want a dog?' 'Only get a dog if you yourself want one'. T

Empathy, compassion and responsibility for the needs of another being.

My Nine year old shares the load when it comes to feeding our three cats and dog, and of course joins us every walk. But the most valuable thing he does is for the Cats. He provides the attention and affection each of them need when sometimes I can't, because life is so full on. He See's me rushing around tripping over them all and swoops on to herd them up to play or give them treats, and whenever that boy is settled on the couch, so is at least one of them, pinning him down for a purr! He has an incredible relationship with each of them.

He is also on insect duty in the allotment, learning our love of all creatures doesn't stop with our pets.. He fills his time building, maintaining, and filling the " Centre for displaced worms and insects" and whenever I come across anything not beyond saving, he comes along with insect patient transport recepticle, and straight to the centre for displaced worms and insects to recover from getting caught up in my passion for chaos gardening ...

My daughter has learned to put Ned's needs before her own and be thoughtful about his walks and other routines.

Mine learned about unconditional love, empathy, taking care of another living creature and how special it is to have company. But one of the main reasons I got cats is so that the children learn how deeply they can love, how much it hurts when their pet dies, and how much better they feel just a week later when they never thought they could. Losing an animal teaches resilience.