How can I teach my child the responsibilities of pet ownership?

Conventional wisdom suggests that the best way to teach your child to be a responsible pet owner is to ask him or her to do pet-related chores. Feed the dog, for example, or clean out the kitty litter box. But Bonnie Beaver, a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A & M University College of Veterinary Medicine, says there’s a better way. Be a good role model and set a good example.

Beaver states, “that’s how children actually learn. They mimic what their parents do.”

So include the kids as you walk the dog, feed it, or take it to the veterinarian for checkups. You’ll make a big impression and show them what it means to be a responsible pet owner.

– Dr. Andrea Looney, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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