The National Pet Survey notes that 70% of US households owned pets between 2021 and 2022. This striking statistic highlights how important our furry friends really are! Despite their popularity, many of us struggle to balance caring for our children whilst still providing adequate care for our pets. If you relate to this issue, this article will offer you an array of useful tips and tricks to help you balance the demands of caring for your kids and pets simultaneously.

1. Ensure That Your Children Are Familiar With the Pet

For those looking to restore a sense of cohesion and harmony in the family home, your children and your pet must get along. Some children are scared of their family pet and some animals do not enjoy being fussed and chased by their human siblings. This can cause a lot of conflict at home, leading every member of the family to feel distressed and irritated. To avoid this, make sure that you teach your children basic animal handling practices such as how to kindly stroke a dog. This will help the child to show the animal a sense of kindness but also offer them the opportunity to take on more responsibility at home.

2. Set up Regular Vet Visits

In the same way you would set up frequent medical checkups for your children, try to create a regular vet schedule for your pet. Experts state you your pet should visit a medical professional at least once a year to rule out any health issues. You can book these appointments in advance at your local veterinary center to ensure that you get a prime time slot for your dog. Be sure that you include these appointments on the family calendar so that the whole family, including the kids, is kept up-to-date with your dog’s health.

3. Promote Healthy Separation Between the Child and Pet

Research conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics states that in 2021, around 50% of three to four-year-olds and a further 86% of five-year-olds were enrolled in preschool. During this time, children are separated from those they love, including the family pet, which can lead them to feel distress. If you notice that your child feels anxious when they are apart from the dog, try to explain that you will take care of them and that they will be excited to play when the child comes home from school.

4. Create Age-Appropriate Rules

With 22,460 early childhood learning centers based in the U.S. alone, it is important that we cater our rules to support this growing generation. Very young children are less likely to understand the nuances of pet behavior and may view the dog as an extension of themselves or siblings. Thus, you must spend enough time educating your child on how to care for the dog and explain it in a way that they will understand and remember.

5. Hire a Monthly Cleaner

If you are struggling to take care of the kids, house, and dog, you may need to recruit some additional help. House cleaners are a great asset for busy families and can also keep your home maintained during busy periods of your life. Therefore, you can focus on taking long dog walks with the kids, whilst a professional works to keep your home clean and tidy on a monthly basis.

Children and dogs can be incredible benefits to loving families, allowing couples to share their devotion with others. Luckily, the tips described in this article will help you find a balance in your growing home.