From introducing your family pet to your newborn child, to teaching your toddler how to handle stray dogs, pet safety is extremely important, especially with younger children. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 are most likely to be victims of animal bites and children aged 9 to 14 are next in line.
Here are some guidelines on how to teach pet safety:
Most often, a child is at risk if he teases, hurts, or plays too roughly with an animal. Children tend to want to pat animals roughly, or to pull at their ears and tails. A dog might lash out to defend itself or protect what it considers its territory or food. Teach your child how best to pet animals and the importance of being gentle.
It is always important to ask if an animal is friendly and to have the owner’s permission before petting. Teach your child to extend their hand slowly, palm up so the animal can sniff them. Other people’s pets might not be like yours and not all pets interact with children well. Only after the animal has shown interest in being petted should they touch them. If they encounter a stray dog, teach them to stand still and back away slowly without looking the dog in the eye.
When you are introducing your pet to a newborn it is best to do so in stages. Leave some of the baby’s blankets around the house so your pet can get accustomed to the smell. If they receive the new scent well, you can start introducing them in person. Take introductions slow. No matter how gentle your pet is, it is best not to leave children alone unsupervised with pets as both children and pets get easily startled and may react unpredictably.
In the home, especially if you have more than one child, it’s a good idea to create a space just for the pet that your children know not to go into. This could be a corner of the house or yard, or just the pet’s crate. This allows your pet the chance to retreat when they become tired or stressed.
If your child is bitten by a pet or other animal, seek medical attention immediately. Infections can occur and some wild animals pose a special risk of rabies. Often the psychological effects of an animal bite are as serious as the physical wound itself. Consider a cooling-off period for a few days, in which you keep the animal in a separate part of the house or outside to give your child a chance to calm down. After that, your child may have to adjust the way he or she behaves with the animal. Ask what happened that might have provoked your pet to bite.
Teasing or maltreating animals is not only dangerous, it may be a symptom that your child is having emotional problems. Talk with your pediatrician if you have concerns.
Although most animals are friendly and pets make wonderful additions to the home, it’s still very important to keep safety in mind.
Here are some resources on animal safety:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/children.html
This blog is not a substitute for medical advice. Be sure to talk to your child’s medical provider with any questions.