From feeding to playing to regular vet visits, having a pet is a big responsibility that requires you to fit their needs into your household’s daily schedule. Your children may not be aware of an animal’s life span — that is, how long it will need to be cared for, day in and day out — or how much attention it requires.
If your child is not currently at the point where they can complete their daily school assignments, they may not be ready to take on the responsbility of a pet. (Help them manage their workload with these 10 smart tips for homework success.)
However, if they are, the magic and awe of raising a pet is second to none. Being a pet owner is a life-changing experience. Pets allow us to demonstrate and receive unconditional love. They relieve anxiety in life’s most taxing moments and show us what loyalty and emotional support can look like.
If you believe your child can benefit from the special emotional bond that only a pet can provide, it may be time to consider which animal is right for your family.
Here are books about pets that’ll help you start a conversation with your child about the responsibilities that come with caring for an animal.
For its 100th anniversary, Scholastic spoke with experts to identify a set of books, articles, and tips that make starting a conversation with your child about pets easy, fun, and exciting. These resources are part of a broader initiative, called the Scholastic Bookshelf, created for Instagram to raise awareness around contemporary issues affecting children today.
Living With Pets
In Forever Home, a boy wants a puppy but his parents say “no.” First, he must prove he can do his chores and be responsible enough to care for a pet. Meanwhile, not far away, a recently abandoned dog is using his wits to survive life on the streets. Author Henry Cole weaves together these two storylines, of the boy and the dog, until they merge in the book’s joyful and satisfying conclusion.
If your little one is insistent on getting a pet, check out Truth About Cats and Dogs, a compilation of fun facts and comparisons between the two most popular choices for animal companionship.
While cats and dogs may be the most common household pets, Pets Around the World gives kids an intriguing inside look at the other species humans have created joyful, loyal, and lasting relationships with.
As with any roommate, living with pets has its ups and downs. The best-selling graphic novel Allergic alludes to one drawback of pet ownership: allergies! Maggie’s belief that a pet will solve all her problems is sure to inspire conversation around the lengths we humans will go to for love and acceptance.
