You and your child can talk to the pet before moving closer to pet the animal. Pet the animal then ask the child if he would like to pet the animal. Show him how to pet softly. If the child is uncomfortable forget it and try again some other day. Pet ownership Small children can be rough with a pet.
Safety is a concern and owning a pet is a big responsibility.
To determine whether children are ready for this responsibility, look at how they take care of the things they already own, such as clothes and toys. You might want to start with a pet that requires less care than a cat or dog to see how your child handles feeding and other care responsibilities. You might even pet-sit for a friend's cat or dog to see if your children are motivated and capable enough to care for the animal. Get a pet that is past the chewing, biting and housebreaking stage, one that is ready to learn. Expectations and responsibilities Agree upon who will feed, walk and bathe the pet.