Teaching kids responsible pet ownership

Having children and pets in the home is totally doable with the right planning. Some keys to teaching your child to be a responsible pet owner:

Give your kids age-appropriate chores to help them understand how to properly care for pets.

Model good behavior for your kids. Showing kids how to care for a pet, rather than telling them, helps them better understand.

Enlist their help to create a budget. Pets require financial responsibility, too, and kids don’t always think about costs.

Teach them proper feeding. Explain how different foods, like chocolate or onions, can be toxic to pets.

– Mercedes Wood, SPCA Tampa Bay