What you need to know about Animal Safety
Kids and pets go together like peanut butter and jelly, but they can also mix like oil and water. Caring for a pet can help children learn important lessons about responsibility, therefore children need to be taught how to be kind to animals. Which means they also need to be taught how to be safe around them. Here are some tips to help you raise an obedient pet and a child who understands how to be safe around animals.
How can I keep my child safe?
The Darling children from Peter Pan had Nana, the dog nursemaid. However, real life is very different from fiction. Animals can be unpredictable around small children who may poke their eyes or pull their tails. Noisy, busy children can be irritants even to the calmest pet, and may cause it to snap or bite. For these reasons, never leave infants or small children alone with a dog.
In addition, even friendly animals may carry germs on their bodies. Infants and children less than 5 years old pick up diseases more easily than older children and adults. Young children like to put their hands in their mouths and are less likely to wash their hands well.
Supervise children while they are around animals.
The Center for Disease Control recommends that infants and children under 5 years old avoid contact with baby chicks and ducklings; amphibian (frogs, toads, newts); reptiles (turtles, snakes, lizards)
Use caution when visiting farms, petting zoos and fairs with children under 5 years of age.
Don’t let children kiss pets or to put their hands into their mouths after touching animals.
Wash children’s hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with animals. Or use an antibacterial lotion if soap and water are not available.
Being a Responsible Pet Owner
No one likes a dog that jumps on people, barks, drags on the leash, and disobeys. These are nuisance behaviors and make a dog unwelcome company. Set limits for your dog behavior. Sometimes a dog cannot tell the difference between play biting and real biting.
At the first sign of dangerous behavior, consult an obedience specialist, humane society, or your veterinarian for advice. Make obedience training a family project. All members should be involved. A well-behaved dog is a happier dog and a happier family.
Do not give a dog with dangerous behavior to someone else without careful consideration of that person’s ability to protect the dog and prevent it from biting. There are legal considerations: because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that the dog causes.
If you must give up your dog because of its dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian, humane society, or animal care and control agency. Don't give your dog to someone who wants a “mean” dog. "Mean" dogs are often forced to live miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to attack someone in the future.
Neutering a male, and spaying a female pet results in an animal that is less likely to bite plus it’s the responsible thing to do. Animal shelters around the country are bursting at the seems with homeless and unwanted animals.
Socialize your dog. by introducing him or her to many types of people and situations so it won’t get nervous in normal conditions. If you don’t know how your dog will react to strangers or a strange situation, leave it home.
License your dog and make sure it has current vaccinations and veterinary care.
It is sad to see a dog that is chained up in a yard. Worse, a chained dog can become aggressive and will bite. Tell your children to avoid dogs that are chained up in a yard, to a street post, or even in front of a building.
Park Animals and Wild Animals
It is fun to feed park animals. Some squirrels and pigeons are so used to people that they’ll take food from the hand, but they are wild animals. Chances are your child will not get close enough before they take to the trees. However, a child may try to corner an animal, and a fearful animal will bite. Teach your child to put food on the ground for the animal, and never chase or try to corner one.
Raccoons, skunks, bats, snakes, spiders, hawks, opossums, turtles, coyotes, deer, bears, even mountain lions live amongst or near people. Wild animals would rather not have anything to do with people. However, many spread disease just by their proximity such as Lyme Deer Tick disease in the northeast. Raccoons and bats are known to carry rabies. Some animals are poisonous.
Farm Animals and Horses
Farm animals are not like house pets. They are often very big like horses and cows, and are sometimes not friendly to people. A horse can kick, a chicken can peck, a goat can charge. Treat them with respect and care. Move slowly and stay calm around them. Avoid jerky and sudden movements, as screaming and sudden movements can upset them. Always approach them from the front. Here is some more advice to follow around farm animals:
Steer clear of a mother animal. She is protective of her young and may attack anyone who comes close.
Always wear a helmet and other protective gear when riding a horse.
If you want to get closer to an animal, ask someone who knows the animal to go with you. The animal will be less nervous and less likely to become upset.
Remember to wash hands after touching the animals.
What should children know about animal safety?
Children should never touch an animal they do not know. Explain that animals have feelings and personalities just like people. Some animals are naturally friendly and calm, some are nervous and skittish, some are shy, and some are unfriendly.
Strange Animals
Steer clear of strange, stray and park animals that are running loose or animals that are chained up, or behind a fence. Even cute-looking animals like squirrels or birds might bite or scratch if they get scared. When it comes to an injured animal, tell children not to touch it or pick it up. It may bite. Ask an adult for help.
A defensive animal will often have lowered ears and tail, bared teeth, and a warning growl.
If your child is seriously threatened by a dog tell him or her to stand or sit very still and quiet if a dog comes near. Running away may cause the dog to chase and attack. If standing, they should "stand like a tree", stay still, and stare straight ahead, until the dog goes away.
“Curl up like a rock,” on one side with a fist over each ear if a dog or other animal knocks a child down. They should remain as still as possible until the dog leaves.
Other People’s Pets
Always ask first before petting or touching the animal. Even if this is an animal you’ve met before. The pet may not remember you. Let the pet make friends with you. When an animal who’s not your own pet comes near you, stand still and let it sniff you, or slowly back away unless the animal’s owner tells you it’s okay. Not all pets are friendly.
Your Own Pets
Teach you children to be kind to animals. Kindness means:
- not bothering an animal when it’s sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or taking care of its young
- never pulling tails, ears, or playing roughly
- restraining or trapping an animal and keeping it from escaping
- not leaving an animal alone if it seems afraid
- never teasing an animal with food
- not making loud noises around a pet. Loud noises scare pets; they may bite because they’ve been scared
Where to get help and more information
Check out the National Humane Society’s youth education division, the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education for more information about animal safety.
Take the eight-question BITE Quiz with your children:
If you’re thinking about getting a pet, spend time with it first. A very shy or very aggressive pet would not be happy in a family with noisy children. Visit the site below for more information about choosing a suitable pet for your family.
Happy Animal Chart
Make sure the animal’s food dish is in a quiet corner away from traffic.
Wash the water bowl and change water daily.
Brush or groom your cat or dog daily.
Clean your pet’s cage, crate, tank, or bed on a routine basis.
Teach animals not to chew or scratch your items. Give the animal items made especially for them.
Do not give a puppy an old shoe to chew. It will not be able to tell the difference between a new shoe and an old shoe. Give it a toy of its own.
Do not play “tug of war” with a puppy. Pulling can loosen teeth and injure jaws. Also the animal may get too excited and bite.
Dog walking should include all family members.
Discipline with stern words to stop bad behavior. A squirt with a water gun works well on cats. Discipline immediately because animals have very short memories. Pets want to please and a stern, “No!” works. Be consistent. Your pet will learn.
A pet is a member of your family. Care for it well and you’ll be rewarded with years of love and devotion.