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"Overseas research has shown that children who grow
up with pets are likely to have better nurturing skills as adults,
and perhaps even be higher achievers in life."
Every parent will eventually hear the plea bargain...
"please, please, pretty please can we have a pet!". Usually the
bargaining process involves pre-purchase rules such as 'you must be
responsible for the pet', 'you'll have to feed it every day', and so
on.
Apparently, reality rarely fits the expectation as
far as the practicalities go. Pets are more successful, however, as
teachers in the less tangible areas of learning acceptance and
compassion.
According to a report published in the UK, pets are
nearly as important as parents in a small child's life. Children
turn to pets when they need a friend, confidante or protector. In
fact, pets hold a similar status in children's lives as do parents,
grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, teachers, best friends and
nannies.
The study conducted by two psychologists from the
University of Warwick asked children who they would turn to in a
troublesome situation. Pets featured in the top 10 replies and
children considered their cat just as important as their mother as a
source of comfort in times of stress and illness.
 What
to look out for?
Have you ever heard of zoonosis? If not,
then you're like the majority of people. Zoonosis diseases include
contagious internal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and two
forms of tapeworm. They are common diseases found in cats and dogs
and you can get these parasites from your pets.
The eggs of the parasites are transmitted with
faecal-oral contact, although you don't have to directly touch the
stool to be infected by the parasite. The worms are usually not in
the stool, but the eggs are and the eggs are responsible for passing
along the parasites. Everyone should assume a kitten has internal
parasites until proven otherwise.
The key to avoiding any form of infection is
prevention. This includes having your pet examined regularly by a
veterinarian, covering the children's sandbox so cats can't use it
as a litter box and keeping the yard free of stools.
Pet owners should also control external parasites
such as fleas, which can cause red, itchy rashes. The solution to
these parasites is to keep the environment mite-free. This can be
done with prescribed insecticides.
Developing FELINE relations
Supervise kids and cats
Once kids know how to properly handle a cat (i.e. how to pick it up
and how to hold it close to the body), continue to supervise to show
them how to respect the pet. Don't let them hit or chase the cat.
All actions should be calm and non-threatening.
Give the cat space
Kids don't understand that cats and kittens need
time out. Explain that our feline friends don't like to be harassed
while eating or grooming themselves and that a cat will usually
indicate its disinterest by walking away. If a child continues to
harass the cat, it may lash out by biting or scratching.
Teach kids to be gentle
Teach your children to play gently and
respectfully with the animal. They need to understand that cats have
sharp claws and teeth. If over-excited or stressed, the cat can
cause serious scratches and bites, which can harm the relationship
through bad associations. Instead, focus on showing the kids games
in which they can interact with the pet, such as providing cardboard
boxes and paper bags for the cat to climb into, and making toys on
string.
Share the responsibility
Talk to your kids about issues of responsibility
and involve them in maintaining the rules. These can include keeping
the cat indoors at night, road safety, responsible owner issues such
as desexing, and general day to day care such as grooming, feeding
and vet visits. |
