Pets are an important part of many families, and it’s important that the children within these households respect their furry friends. To teach a child about caring for a pet, first evaluate your child’s maturity level and what he will be able to handle. Start small and simply, offering the child a quick lesson in pet safety that is appropriate for his age level. Let him help with any tasks he is able to, and should he be able to handle whole tasks on his own, be sure to supervise them properly. It’s important that you are teaching your child the reasons behind certain pet care tasks, and that you are doing so in a way he will be able to thoroughly understand. As time passes you can add more information to this talk, particularly if he is able to handle more due to his maturity level increasing. Your local Clay, NY vet can offer additional suggestions.