Living With Pets: Caring for Your Furry Friends and Building Strong Bonds

Pets are part of the family and bring so much joy. Discover how to care for your furry companions, understand their needs, and build a loving relationship that benefits both of you.

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Articles & guides

Benefit from thousands of articles and guides on more than 50 subjects specifically chosen for young people from 12-18 years of age.

LATEST ARTICLES & GUIDES

What should you do with your pet's things?

Living with pets

What should you do with your pet’s things?

Handling your pet's belongings post-loss? Consider donating usable items, keeping sentimental ones, and crafting new memories from the old as part of your healing journey.

What are ways to remember your pet?

Living with pets

What are ways to remember your pet?

Remembering a pet can be deeply personal; options include creating memory boxes, artwork, memorial gardens, and online tributes to cope with loss and keep cherished memories alive.

Is it okay to feel relief if your pet was sick and then dies?

Living with pets

Is it okay to feel relief if your pet was sick and then dies?

Understanding and managing feelings of relief after a pet's death is key to healthy grieving and emotional healing.

How do you deal with the loneliness?

Living with pets

How do you deal with the loneliness?

Learn practical strategies to deal with teenage loneliness, including adjusting social media use, engaging in community activities, and seeking professional help.

How do you cope with losing a pet?

Living with pets

How do you cope with losing a pet?

Coping with the loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic, but with the right strategies like remembering their presence and seeking support, teenagers can navigate this challenging period.

How can you help a friend who lost a pet?

Living with pets

How can you help a friend who lost a pet?

Support your grieving friend by acknowledging their loss, listening sincerely, offering practical help, and encouraging them to celebrate cherished memories of their pet.

What responsibilities come with having a pet?

Living with pets

What responsibilities come with having a pet?

Learn about the responsibilities of having a pet and how it affects teenagers, complete with practical strategies for balancing care with a teen's lifestyle.

What is the best way to train a pet?

Living with pets

What is the best way to train a pet?

Effective pet training is about building a bond through consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, enhancing both the pet and the trainer's life.

What if your friends don't understand?

Living with pets

What if your friends don’t understand?

Explore how to handle being misunderstood by friends, including effective communication tips and ways to strengthen relationships despite differences.

What if you feel responsible for your pet's death?

Living with pets

What if you feel responsible for your pet’s death?

Help teenagers deal with the guilt of a pet's death through understanding, talking, therapy, and self-forgiveness.

How long do different pets live?

Living with pets

How long do different pets live?

Understanding how long different pets live can help guide teenagers in choosing the right pet for their lifestyles and responsibilities.

How do you remember your pet after they have died?

Living with pets

How do you remember your pet after they have died?

Learn how to remember and honour a beloved pet after their passing with meaningful memorials and personal tributes, providing comfort and healing in the wake of loss.

Can pets go to school?

Living with pets

Can pets go to school?

Explore whether pets should be allowed in schools, focusing on the potential emotional and educational benefits as well as logistical challenges.

What do I need to know about taking care of a dog?

Living with pets

What do I need to know about taking care of a dog?

Learn how to care for a dog effectively with tips on training, health, socialisation, and bonding that enhance your dog's quality of life.

How can I convince my parents to let me have a pet?

Living with pets

How can I convince my parents to let me have a pet?

Learn strategic tips on convincing your parents to let you have a pet with proper planning, responsibility, and compromise.

Can pets have allergies?

Living with pets

Can pets have allergies?

Understand and manage your pet's allergies with effective identification, proper diet, regular grooming, prescribed medications, and a clean home environment.

Are there books or resources that can help with losing a pet?

Living with pets

Are there books or resources that can help with losing a pet?

Explore various books and resources that offer support for teens grieving the loss of a pet, including practical strategies for coping, like expressing feelings through art and maintaining a routine.

What are some unusual pets that people have?

Living with pets

What are some unusual pets that people have?

Exploring the world of unusual pets, including reptiles, birds, and more, with practical strategies for care, impacts on teenagers, and the importance of responsible pet ownership.

What are good pets for teenagers?

Living with pets

What are good pets for teenagers?

Explore ideal pets for teens, including dogs, cats, and more unique choices like reptiles, and discover tips to manage pet care efficiently.

Is it normal to feel really sad?

Living with pets

Is it normal to feel really sad?

Explore why feeling sad is normal for teenagers, the impact of these feelings, and strategies to manage and overcome sadness effectively.

How much does it cost to keep a pet?

Living with pets

How much does it cost to keep a pet?

Learn how to manage the costs of pet ownership effectively, ensuring your pet's happiness and your financial wellbeing.