CATS AND DOGS

Cats and dogs are major commitments when it comes to time, money and responsibility.

When children are taught how to properly interact with them, they can play an active role in their care.

“They have to participate in the care. That’s part of the deal,” Hess says. “Picking up dog poop isn’t much fun, but it’s something that you have to do.”

Children can take responsibility for a variety of tasks for a dog or cat. Younger kids can give fresh food and water and wash towels and bedding, and tweens and teens can take dogs for walks, change the cat litter and even help out with teeth brushing.

Dogs and cats can live to be well over 10 years old (some for 20 years), so they’re long-term commitments.