Animal safety for children begins at home. Pets bring joy and companionship, and help teach your child about animals, nature, and the world around them. Pet ownership isn’t all fun and games, it also comes with important lessons on responsibility, empathy, and appreciation for other living creatures. It also comes with risks.
Children and pets can form wonderful bonds, but without proper guidance those same interactions can lead to bites, scratches and injuries. While it’s important to teach kids how to stay safe around animals, as an adult there are some things you’re responsible for as well.
Tips for Kids and Pets
Animal safety for children begins with an appropriate age pet. A puppy or kitten may seem like the perfect companion for a young child, but these young animals are actually more likely to bite or scratch than older, calmer pets. Puppies and kittens may nip out of sheer friskiness, so consider adopting an older animal with a gentle disposition instead.
Pet ownership and child safety also means teaching children that it isn’t always playtime with pets. Pet safety means teaching kids not to play with a sleeping pet, to always ask permission before petting a stranger’s dog or cat, and to not pet sensitive areas like a pet’s face, belly, paws and tail, and to never put your face close to an animal’s face.
Always Supervise Children
The most basic step for animal safety for children and animals is to keep them supervised at all times. Children under the age of five should never be left alone with pets as they can have difficulty distinguishing between a living animal and a toy, and they are are less likely to understand a pet’s body language (even cues which might seem obvious like growling) and more likely to behave in ways that startle or frighten the animal.
Children between five and nine years old still need close supervision around dogs and cats. While kids in this age range may be mature enough to help with basic pet care tasks like filling food bowls or brushing fur, they should remain within sight or calling distance of an adult when interacting with the family pet.
First Aid for Bites and Scratches
Even if you teach your kids safety tips, keeping children safe means learning first aid for when things go wrong and pets bite or scratch despite your precautions. By taking a short first aid course, new parents can prepare and make sure their child receives prompt attention when accidents happen.
For minor scratches and bites that do not break the skin deeply, start by washing your hands with soap and water before touching the wound. Then wash the affected area thoroughly with mild soap and running water for at least three to five minutes to remove dirt, saliva and bacteria. After cleaning, apply an antiseptic solution and cover the wound with a clean, sterile bandage. Keep the injured area elevated if possible to reduce swelling, and change the dressing daily.
While parents may want to handle all aspects of animal safety for children themselves, they should seek medical attention within 24 hours for any bite that breaks the skin. This is especially urgent when the bite is on the head, face, neck, hands or feet, as these locations are more prone to complications. Parents should also seek prompt medical attention if they notice signs of infection such as increasing redness, warmth, swelling and pain around the wound.
FAQs
What is Cat Scratch Disease?
Cat scratch disease is an infection caused by bacteria carried in cats’ saliva and claws; kittens are more likely to transmit this illness than adults. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, and fatigue, and can appear one to three weeks after a scratch. Keeping your cat free of fleas helps reduce the risk of transmission.
Which Pets are Best for Young Children?
Low maintenance pets which children can observe and occasionally feed, such as birds and fish, are best for young children. Guinea pigs and similar small animals often make good starter pets because they rarely bite and can be handled gently with supervision.
How Should I Introduce a New Pet to My Child?
Before the pet arrives, set up a dedicated safe space with a bed, water and toys where the animal can rest and make this area permanently off limits to children. Teach your child animal safety for children, including that the pet will need time to adjust, may feel scared at first, and must never be chased, cornered or picked up without adult help. During the first meeting, have your child sit calmly while the animal approaches on their own terms, allowing a brief sniff before any gentle patting.
