Pets are living beings and for that reason a responsible adult must supervise children’s interactions with animals.
The arrival of a pet at home can mean a lot of happiness for the family, even more so if there are children who want the company of a small animal. That is not why we must forget the great responsibility that comes with acquiring a pet.
The veterinarian Glenda Sánchez explains that in the case of the most common pets, such as dogs and cats, the family must bear in mind that the commitment to the animal is from 10 to 15 years, so it must be a conscious decision.
For this reason, before acquiring the pet, Sánchez recommends considering the type of animal with which you are going to live. “A dog does not need the same as a cat, in terms of space, or physical wear. Just as a grandpa puppy will not need the same requirements as a puppy,” he says. A visit to the veterinarian for prior advice is ideal.
The second step is to make sure that the people who will be responsible for your care arrange their schedule so that all the needs of the animal are covered. This serves so that “behavioral problems do not start due to some lack, which can later lead, among other things, to damage to the house and its contents.”
In addition, the dangerous substances that could be within the reach of the animal must be taken into account, whether they are toxic plants or harmful food.
Vet visits should also be planned in advance. PFor a new pet, health protocols will include vaccinations, deworming, among others. “The protocol will depend on the age, the type of life that our pet has, and also the unique requirements of each individual,” explains Sánchez, adding that for a routine check, you should visit the vet twice a year.
For children who long to have a pet, the veterinarian assures that “they are an excellent way for them to begin to have responsibilities from a young age, in simple tasks which can range, depending on the age of the child, from brushing their fur, helping adults to bathe them, or helping to clean their dishes and utensils”.
However, Sánchez emphasizes that pets are living beings and for that reason a responsible adult must supervise children’s interactions with animals.
Benefits of having a pet
“If pets are given the right space, the right food for their stage, they are provided with a roof, medical service; all of this comes together to have an example of the proper training of pets; if that is what the child is seeing, the education they are going to have is incredible”, says Dr. Fausto Reyes Delgado, Director of Institutional Development, Communication and Education of the UNAM-Banfield Veterinary Hospital, according to the portal La Lista.
Dr. Reyes explains that adopting an animal is always the best option, but that does not mean that pets require less care.
“Both, both the little animal that has been rescued and the one that has been bought from a farm without any type of sanitary control can reach our hands with some previous pathology. Hence, the care at home and veterinary protocols to follow are the same”, assures the veterinarian Sánchez.
“Let us remember that they are like “eternal children”, and as such, they will always need our guidance and care”, concludes the expert. (I)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
