Basic 5 · Our World and Our People · Plants and Animals
Keeping and Caring for a Pet
In this topic you will learn how to choose, keep and care for a pet responsibly.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Name common pets and their needs
- Describe daily care for a pet
- Explain how to keep pets and people healthy
What you already know
- Designing an animal house
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- All Around Us
- Sub-strand
- Plants and Animals
- Indicator
- B5.2.2.1.1 – Design and make a simple animal house and keep a pet
Introduction
A pet is an animal kept for company and enjoyment. Dogs, cats, rabbits, parrots and fish are common pets in Ghana. Keeping a pet is fun, but it is also a big responsibility.
1. Common Pets and Their Needs
| Pet | Food | Special care |
|---|---|---|
| dog | dog food, cooked meat, rice, bones | walks, vaccination against rabies, a kennel |
| cat | fish, meat, cat food | a clean sleeping place, vaccination |
| rabbit | grass, leaves, carrots, pellets | a hutch, clean water |
| parrot | seeds, fruits, groundnuts | a large cage, toys |
| fish | fish food | clean water in an aquarium |
2. Daily Care
- Give clean food and fresh water every day.
- Clean the pet's house and remove droppings.
- Groom the pet: brush its fur and bathe it if needed.
- Exercise the pet, for example by walking a dog.
- Play with it and treat it gently.
- Watch for signs of sickness: not eating, weakness, diarrhoea, wounds.
3. Keeping Pets and People Healthy
Some diseases can pass from animals to people. Rabies, spread by the bite of an infected dog or cat, is deadly. Pets must be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinary officer every year. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, wash the wound with soap and running water for about 15 minutes and go to the hospital immediately.
- Wash your hands with soap after touching pets or their droppings.
- Do not let pets lick your face or eat from your plate.
- Deworm pets regularly.
- Keep pets out of the kitchen and food stores.
4. Being a Responsible Pet Owner
Before getting a pet, think about whether your family has enough space, time and money. Do not abandon pets on the street. Keep dogs tied or inside the compound so they do not bite passers-by or cause accidents. Do not keep wild animals such as monkeys or tortoises as pets; they belong in the wild and some are protected by law.
| Responsibility | Why |
|---|---|
| feed and water daily | keeps the pet healthy |
| vaccinate and deworm | prevents disease |
| provide shelter | protects from weather and predators |
| keep it under control | protects other people |
| never abandon it | the pet depends on you |
New words
- pet
- An animal kept for company and enjoyment.
- rabies
- A deadly disease spread by bites of infected animals.
- vaccinate
- To give a vaccine to prevent disease.
- groom
- To clean and brush an animal.
- deworm
- To give medicine that removes worms.
- abandon
- To leave without care.
Summary
- Pets need food, water, shelter, exercise and love.
- Clean pet houses daily and watch for sickness.
- Vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies every year.
- Responsible owners never abandon or mistreat pets.
Class activity: Pet Care Plan
- Choose a pet.
- Write a daily and weekly care plan (food, cleaning, exercise, vet visits).
- Present your plan to the class.
You need: Old carton pieces, Sticks, Raffia string
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which animal is a common pet?
- A. Dog
- B. Lion
- C. Crocodile
- D. Elephant
Show answer
Answer: DogIt lives with people.2. Dogs should be vaccinated against…
- A. rabies
- B. malaria
- C. cholera
- D. measles
Show answer
Answer: rabiesIt is deadly.3. What should you do after touching a pet?
- A. Wash your hands with soap
- B. Eat immediately
- C. Rub your eyes
- D. Nothing
Show answer
Answer: Wash your hands with soapTo prevent germs.4. Pets need fresh water every day.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueWater keeps them healthy.5. It is fine to abandon a pet you no longer want.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseOwners must care for them or find a new home.6. Cleaning and brushing an animal's fur is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: groomingKeeps it clean.7. State three daily needs of a pet.
Show answer
Answer: Food, clean water and a clean shelter (or exercise, play).Any three.8. What should you do if a dog bites you?
Show answer
Answer: Wash the wound with soap and running water for about 15 minutes and go to the hospital immediately.Rabies risk.
Homework
- Interview someone who keeps a pet. Ask how they care for it and write a report.