Creating an Animal Lover

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaMysteries #CollectiveBias

We live in a world filled with animals. Whether it be in our own home or at the local park, a character in a book or movie or even our favourite stuffed animal from childhood, animals are all around us. 

Children are naturally attracted to animals. They are also sponges for learning - absorbing, retaining and using new information at incredible rates. Teaching our future generation to love and properly care for animals from a young age is extremely important, regardless of whether you have a pet at home or not.  

There is a long list of reasons for why children should love animals, but topping that list is their own personal gain. Studies have shown that loving animals as a young child helps boost confidence and teaches responsibility, empathy, compassion and respect. For young children, animals are the perfect vehicle to allow them to practice building these social and emotional skills they need in order to be successful.

But, before a child can love something, they must first have a connection with it.  

As animal lovers ourselves, having a daughter that also loves animals is something that is extremely important to my husband and I. 

At just 15 months old, we have seen Morley's natural curiosity of my family's two chihuahuas blossom.

Morley loves her woof woofs, Tity and Nonna (also known as Titus and Lola). She can't yet say grandma or grandpa, but she sure can say the names of her two favourite pups.

One of the ways that we help build the connection and foster her love for the woofs woofs is to lead by example. This means being gentle with the dogs, taking them for walks, rewarding good behaviour, knowing when to give them their space and feeding them only the best food and treats.

Once a recent family trip, Morley recently took on the task of "walking" the dogs. Luckily, Titus has the patience of an angel and no matter how slow she was or how much she swung the leash handle as she walked, he calmly walked by her side. 

Another one of her favourite tasks? Giving them a treat. 

The go to? Purina® Beggin’. 

Purina has a wide variety of food, treats, and litter for your cats and dogs which helps take the mystery out of how to care for your pet and give them what they truly want.

Interested in finding Purina Beggin' dog treats for your dog? Hover over the above photo to click through to PetSmart.com and buy them!

No pet at home? No problem. There are many other ways that you can help build the connection between your children and animals. Below are just a few of my favourite. 

10 Ways to Help Foster Your Child's Love for Animals

1. Visit a local zoo, aquarium or farm.
2. Read books about animals. [These are a few of our favourites.]
3. Go for a hike and look for animals.
4. When out for a walk, pick up trash. Explain how littering can hurt the animals. 
5. Watch child- and animal-friendly movies.
6. Visit friends and family that have pets.
7. Raise money for a local animal shelter.
8. Hang a bird feeder in the backyard. 
9. Donate birthday money or allowance to an non-profit organization that helps animals. 
10. Enroll them in an animal-focused camp. 

A variety of Purina products can be found at your local PetSmart. Check out the dog treat aisle for Purina Beggin', which is the aisle closest to the cash at my local store. 

Don't forget to take advantage of this great offer: During the month of June, PetSmart shoppers can get a $10 Petsmart gift card when they purchase $40 in participating Purina products. For more information, check this out. (Offer available at US stores only.)

Do you have an animal lover in your home? I'd love to hear!