Essential Tips to Teach Your Child Responsible Pet Care

An autistic adult teaches readers the value of pets for people with autism and provides advice to share with children on how to care for them.

As a child, I had a lot of pets. We had all sorts of animals, from dogs to mice to rats. It was like a zoo. A childhood filled with furry friends taught me how to take appropriate care of pets. That is why I would like to share some of my top tips with you to share with your children on the spectrum.

Tip 1: Consider a trained service animal

If you have a service animal, take care of them because they take care of you. They are excellent emotional support for their master. When you get a service/therapy dog, you will be taught special ways to take care of them.

It’s not only service animals that provide mental health benefits, though; most pets can also help you manage and regulate emotions—this is especially valuable for neurodivergent individuals.

Tip 2: Take responsibility

Parents, if your child wants a pet, make sure to teach them responsible care of their pet. Don’t let them leave all the responsibility to you. Children with or without autism need to take responsibility for their pet or service animal. Feeding and watering is the basic minimum. Make sure your child wants a pet. If a child does not want a pet, the responsibility falls on you. If you do not have time for the pet either, the pet will suffer.

Tip 3: Take your pet to the vet

Ensure that you take your pet for regular vet visits. Make sure to save money or obtain pet insurance for emergencies like broken bones or digestive issues.

Tip 4: Prepare for death

Pets don’t live as long as humans. This will provide an opportunity to teach your child or adult child about death. This will not be an easy conversation; be understanding and patient.

Tip 5: Be gentle

Make sure everyone, including family members on the spectrum, is taught how to interact with pets in a gentle, appropriate manner. An animal subject to any abuse or unintentional hurt will be severely affected. Their temperament may change due to being scared, and they might become timid or more aggressive.

Tip 6: Learn how to look after dogs

Dogs, especially, need a lot of attention and care. Appropriate care of a dog includes but is not limited to:

feeding
watering
providing treats
brushing
baths
playing
outside time for bathroom breaks and exercise
vaccinations
insect protection
frequent walks
regular vet and the grooming visits

If you are like my dad, you will groom your dog yourself. Dogs love attention. Giving them attention could include providing healthy treats for learning tricks like sitting and shaking their paw.

Tip 7: Learn about puppies

If you get a puppy, you must potty train them. Take them out every half hour in the beginning. Take time to teach your puppy where to go, either on a puppy pad or outside. Don’t get mad at them for making a mess on the floor; many puppies take a long time to achieve bladder control.

Autism and Pets: Essential Tips to Teach Your Child Responsible Pet Care

Tip 8: Cats have different needs

If you are considering a cat as a family pet, remember that cats are more independent than dogs. But even though cats are independent, they will love you back. They need love too. Cats need to be fed, watered, played with, vaccinated, and protected from heartworms and bugs.

Like dogs, they love treats. Cats will go to the bathroom in a litter box, and it has to be cleaned out regularly. It may be stinky, but you have to do it.

I do not recommend getting your cat declawed. I feel like that is inhumane. Get your cat’s claws trimmed regularly or have rubber nail caps put on the claws. Otherwise, they will claw your furniture. It’s a good idea to buy a scratching post. When they scratch, don’t get mad at them. They are just being a cat.

Tip 9: Prioritize cleaning for fish

If your family has fish, inside or in an outside pond, taking care of them should be prioritized. Feed your fish and clean their water.

Protect your outside fish from predators by using a net placed over the pond. For inside fish, keep their tank clean and free of disease. If you have a fish in an aquarium, follow the directions for changing the water each week.

Tip 10: Birds have their own needs

If you have a bird, buy toys for their cage to entertain them. If it is a bird that can leave the cage, keep track of them. You can’t let your bird out of the cage if you have a dog or a cat. They could get eaten. Clean the bottom of their cage every day. Feed them birdseed. If they are sick, make sure they get proper treatment.

Tip 11: Discover turtles

Our family had several turtles growing up. We let them out of their terrariums so they can move around, either inside or outside.

If they are outside, keep track of them. They need dirt or plants in their terrariums. Make sure their water is kept at the correct temperature, otherwise, they will get sick or die. Turtles eat crickets and insects. Make sure they are fed the correct diet; this applies to lizards or frogs, and other cold-blooded amphibians too.

Tip 12: Tips for small warm-blooded pets

My family had rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice. These animals need bedding in their cage. Be sure to clean their cages a couple of times a week and provide fresh bedding. Feed mammals pellets and water. Give them toys and provide them with exercise. We put our hamsters in clear round balls for exercise.

Tip 13: Ideas for snakes

I took care of snakes when I volunteered at a zoo. Ensure they have water, and feed them mice or rats. Clean out their cage once or twice a week. Be sure to scrub down their cage. If they have fake grass, make sure to clean it. Cleaning helps prevent disease.