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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We've had loads of small animals. Some have needed expensive veterinary care so my DC have learnt the importance of forward planning and self-insurance! We don't have our animals PTS just because they become expensive so if there's not enough money in the fund, sacrifices will need to be made.

They have learned to love when you don't always feel you're getting much in return. How to feel empathy and compassion. Sadly, they have also felt grief and how we talk about it and remember those no longer with us

My dc have learnt a lot of responsibility, compassion, consideration and grief. Pets provide a lot!

DD has learned responsibility and has gained a best friend, DS has learned how to ignore the smell of a poop in the litter tray for hours when he’s the first one home!

I grew up with pets. Dogs, rabbits, hamsters, goldfish and a budgie. It taught me responsibility and that, whilst I loved all the little pets, dogs were the best pets for me.

Accordingly, my boys grew up with dogs. It’s definitely taught then to be caring and responsible. It’s also taught them how much work and how restricting it is to have a dog. Whilst all three would love to have one, only dc2 actually does. The others realise they are not currently in the position to give a dog what it needs.

A few years ago I inherited a cat (having never had or wanted one) and then got another to keep her company. Being owned by cats is a completely new and amazing experience. I can’t believe I’ve wasted so much of my life without one and it’s brought a whole new dimension to the family. I wouldn’t be surprised is my boys all have cats in the future.

My 18 y o and 16 y o love their dog and their (now passed) cat so much.
I have always had pets. They are part of a home to me.
So lovely for 18 y o DS to come back from uni and be greeted with such love and enthusiasm that a human could never replicate.
They take responsibility if required but it is the love and compassion that are the reason.

My son respects that our cats don't always want to be held and petted and that they have boundaries. He understands they needs space

Mine have learnt the usual - care, responsibility, prioritising others before themselves at times, being in tune to another’s needs.
They’ve also bonded through the art of collusion in the “don’ t tell mum the cat has scratched up the sofa, I gave it some salmon or it slept on her bed all day”

For me it helped to calm them, as they knew being too noisy would affect our kitten, they learned to help feed, stroke and talk to the cat in a calm manner, and in a way a distraction from being bored (even though they weren't)

Caring for our 2-year-old rescue dog has taught my 7- and 10-year-old compassion and commitment. They’ve learned that looking after someone means meeting their needs every day, not just when it’s easy, and that love and security can really help a rescue animal grow in confidence

Having our cat for the past three years has helped my DC's learn responsibility and empathy. They’ve seen how daily care, attention, and kindness help an animal feel secure, and it’s taught them to think beyond themselves and consider the needs of another family member.

Having a dog when I felt my DC's were old enough has taught them to take turns in sharing the responsibilities, learned that there are good and bad sides (picking up poo, going out for walks in the rain ) to pet ownership, and they have to do things they don't want to do - that's life and a good lesson to learn.

I think having our dog teaches the children both responsibility, and about being more compassionate

What the inside of the Vets surgery looks like.

How to be gentle.
How to cope with loss.
That it's good to talk through your worries and also listen to others- even if the other party can't talk back or solve your problems.

Getting my child a pet has made a difference in how calm and settled they are, as the responsibility and companionship provides routine, and emotional support, which has helped reduce their stress, improve their mood, and positively support their overall emotional wellbeing at home and in daily life.

How to use their quiet voice, not to slam doors when they are angry, to check the pet has water and food, and how to look after a vulnerable animal who relies on you to keep them safe, warm and feel loved.

unfortunately but importantly they learnt about loss. Also compassion and responsibility.

You can poo on the new rug and get away with it.

The DC have allocated days where they take on all* tasks for the cats - feeding, water, litter trays, etc.

*Unfortunately, so far I have not got them to take on the task of cleaning up vomit. But I will keep trying.

Having our cat has taught our youngest responsibility (we need to keep remembering to feed and water and care for her). Also empathy - not petting too hard. I also think it will help them understand about live and loss (hopefully Tiggs has lots of life in her) but I think pets do teach youngsters about the circle of life. And also caring and checking on them. So much.

My children were 6 months and 2 when we got our lab pup .
We took him on long walks at the weekend (he had a fan base outside the kids’ school ) he walked so well on a lead for them and despite not being allowed on the sofa they used to snuggle with him .
They read their books to him too and bought him gifts at Xmas snd wrote him valentines cards .
He was a true family member .
When we had to have him PTS when he was 13 , both kids were bereft (it was their first experience of death )
We made a memory box for them each . They shared their memorable
moments with him (some I had no idea about - demonstrating just what a friend he was )

My children have always had cats and a dog, it’s been so good for them in many ways. A companion who is always there for them, always pleased to see them, that relationships are reciprocal and pets need things from them too. Pets have taught them about loving, ageing, losing them and carrying on without forgetting, the entire beauty of life from being young to being old.

It put a smile back on his face following the death of his grandma, something to focus on, a pet who who was always happy to see him, and he mood has definitely improved. (DS is 12).

Definitely responsibility at that things need to be done at certain times (feeding etc)

Three kids…all wanted a dog…none want to actually help look after the dog. I’m not sure it’s really taught them anything. On the weekend they are all dragged out on a walk with said dog where they start moaning halfway round the route. Maybe it’s teaching them resilience that they have to walk the whole route but it’s the same every week. They refuse to feed him (the dog food “stinks”). They do love giving him treats and cuddling him. They are kind to him but were kind & compassionate to animals to start with.

Bottom line: playing and cuddling with the dog has enriched their childhood but I’m doubtful they have actually learned anything from it.