Owning a pet seems like fun but it also comes with lot of responsibility. Just like children animals also need care and love. Kids generally love to pet animals whether it is dog, cat or bird they love animals. Everyday interaction with the pet that lives with you need lot of attention in terms of safety of your kids.

It is a good idea to learn and teach safety tips when family is around and interact with a pet or pets. Each form of pet has its own way of identifying and interacting with humans. For example, dogs are pack animals and live a social hierarchy life. Dogs always pick on weakest member in the family, which generally is a child. That’s why It is important to show the dog that all members in the family are leaders. Similarly, cats are attached to older adults who feed them. Cats does not like to pet often. Most cats do not like picking up or patted by children and they can retaliate.

It is important to establish a safe and happy relationship between the child and pet. Here are few tips to establish the safe relationship between the two.

1. Do not leave a young child with any animal. You never know, accidents can happen even with trustworthy pets and children.
2. Teach child not to approach the pet while it is eating, chewing or when it is caring for its young ones.
3. Do not make loud noise or approach pet rudely. Do not pull the tail.
4. Do not pull or tug pet, pet the animal in gentle manner. Never approach suddenly from behind especially.
5. If child is trying to be approach someone else’s pet or dogs that are not familiar, ask the adults before petting the animal.
6. Let the pet sniff first to get familiar with child. Tell child not to touch eyes, ear, nose, mouth, or tail of the pet.
7. With larger animals, do not give leash to child while walking. If the animal runs, child can get injured.
8. Keep children away from litter box. Cat littler boxes looks like sands in playground. Children get tempted to see and want to play. Cat litter is not good for health.
9. Do not allow child to feed dogs or cats. Some animals can be aggressive and can overpower child. Tell child to leave a dog alone when it lifts its lips, growls, backs away, raises the hair on its back or stares.
10. Let child keep away from dogs during times of excitement like chasing, receiving someone at the door or while eating. Do not allow child to go near dogs that are fighting.
11. Train dog to follow certain commands – sit, sleep, roll, eat, drop, come, stay
12. If a dog bites the child, call the doctor immediately and ask what precautions one must take.
13. If you own a cat, keep children away from cat litter. Most cats love to sleep on bed. Clean and dust the bed, bed sheets often so that cat hair does not cause allergy or bother your child.
14. If a cat bites, act immediately. Cats claws and teeth known to contain nasty bacteria that could worsen the wounds.
15. Keep pets away from baby or toddler’s nursery. Keep feeding bottle, clothing in places where pets cannot reach.
16.  Teach children that animals have feelings too. It is important to show them that you care and respect them.  Pets can get hurt if not treated properly. They also long for love, affection, and companionship.

While pets can be fun, they can be dangerous too. Before getting a pet or introducing a pet to your child, teach child what to expect with a pet. If you have a new baby, introduce the pet to baby gently. It is important for the pet to understand that there is another important person will be present in the house. This will build an equal understanding between the two.

Image credit: Image by Kirill Lyadvinsky from Pixabay (Free for commercial use)