Have Small Children?
Tips For Creating a Safe Household With Your Family Pet

Children benefit a great deal from having a family pet; however young children such as infants and toddlers are just learning how to relate to people – and pets. Here you will find a few important useful tips for having a family pet when you have small children...

Tip #1 – Keep a Watchful Eye

Under no circumstances should a small child be left with a pet unsupervised. There is no way to predict how a dog or cat will react to an infant or toddler who is pulling yanking out the dog’s hair or pulling the cat’s tail. Children need guidance to learn how to pet the family dog or cat and play nice.

Tip #2 – Monkey See, Monkey Do

Children imitate other people at an early age. It is very important to treat your family dog with love and respect so your child can learn the proper ways to relate to your family pet. Teaching proper petting techniques is crucial to your child’s relationship with the family pet. Show your child how to gently pet your dog or cat instead of rough patting or fur pulling

Tip #3 – No Rough Play

Your family pet may be the best playmate for your child, but supervision is required to ensure there is no rough playing, which can cause harm if the playing gets out of hand. Children may try to jump on the dog’s back or grab the cat by the tail. Actions like these require a quick “No” and an explanation as to why that behavior is unacceptable. Try focusing your child’s attention on an activity that is calmer, such as playing fetch or teaching tricks.

Tip #4 – Choosing The Right Pet

If you do not have a family pet and are looking for the right kind to take home to your children, it is important to always think safety first. Puppies and kittens are not always the best mix for your infant or toddler as they are learning how to interact with others just as your children are. In addition, young pups and kittens have baby teeth and razor sharp claws and can accidentally cause harm to an infant or toddler. A better choice might be a puppy or kitten older than 4 months.

Tip #5 – Time To Stay Away

There are certain activities a dog or cat should be left to do alone: eat and sleep. Pets may become angered if they feel threatened when it comes to their food. A young child who tries to get into the dog’s food bowl risks getting nipped or bitten. Sleeping cats and dogs do not like to be startled from a deep sleep by a toddler who is looking to play. This may cause the animal to be disoriented and become aggressive.

Above all, a great lesson you can teach your young child is responsibility. By giving your child age-appropriate tasks, such as filling the food and water bowl or joining you on a walk, he or she can learn to be responsible when it comes to having a pet.

• I'm Safe, With My Pet Activity and Coloring Book