Raising a companion animal
Raising means looking after an animal through its whole life.
- Food: the right food in the right amount at fixed times. Fresh, clean water always.
- Shelter: a safe, dry and shaded place to rest.
- Exercise: a walk or play every day. Cats and rabbits need play space too.
- Grooming: brushing, nail care, checking for ticks and fleas.
- Health: regular vet visits, vaccines and treatment when ill.
- Love and time: animals are social and get lonely.
Before getting a pet ask: do we have time, money, space and the agreement of all at home? A pet can live ten to fifteen years or more.
Training a companion animal
Training teaches the animal how to live with people. Good training uses rewards, such as a small treat or praise, right after the right action.
- Pick a quiet place. Keep sessions short, five to ten minutes.
- Use one clear word and the same hand sign: "sit", "come", "stay".
- Reward within a second of the correct action.
- Repeat daily with patience.
- Never hit or shout. Fear makes animals nervous and can make them bite.
Using companion animals
People use companion animals in many kind ways:
- Company: a friend at home, especially for people who live alone.
- Exercise and routine: walks and play keep owners active.
- Help: guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs, and dogs that warn of danger.
- Therapy and learning: calm dogs visit hospitals and reading clubs (see the therapy lesson).
- Education: children learn care and responsibility.
Safety and hygiene of companion animals
Some germs can pass from animals to people. They are called zoonotic germs (rabies is an example).
- Vaccines: keep the vaccine schedule, including rabies. Deworm on schedule.
- Bathe and groom often. Check for ticks and fleas.
- Clean bowls and bedding daily. Clean up droppings safely.
- Wash hands after touching the animal, its food or its waste, and before eating.
- Safe handling: do not disturb an animal that is eating or sleeping. Do not tease. Teach children to ask first and be calm. If bitten or scratched: wash the wound with soap and running water and see a doctor.
- Strange animals: do not touch stray animals.
Try it: a pet care chart
Try it. Make a daily chart with five rows: Food, Water, Walk, Training, Clean. Tick each one for a week for a pretend or real pet. How many of five do you finish each day? Open the 3D to see how each tick raises the happiness score.
Key formulas and definitions
- Basic needs = food + clean water + shelter + exercise + health care + love
- Training = clear word + reward right after + repeat daily
- Zoonotic = germs that pass between animals and people
- Hygiene = vaccine + bath + clean bowls + wash hands
Worked examples
1. List four daily needs of a pet dog.
Food, clean water, a walk or play, and a clean, safe place to rest. Also love and attention.
2. Why is a reward better than shouting when training?
A reward makes the animal link the action with something nice, so it repeats the action. Shouting causes fear and may cause biting.
3. A puppy is fed twice a day. How many meals does it get in a week?
2 × 7 = 14 meals.
4. A child is scratched by a pet cat. What should she do first?
Wash the scratch with soap and running water, tell an adult and see a doctor if needed. Also make sure the cat is vaccinated.
Common mistakes
- Getting a pet without thinking about time, money and the years of care.
- Training with fear, shouting or hitting instead of rewards.
- Skipping vaccines or deworming.
- Not washing hands after touching the pet or cleaning its bowl.