Pet Safety Around Children

Pets provide wonderful companionship for children, teaching responsibility, empathy, and unconditional love. But interactions between children and animals also carry risks. Dog bites alone send hundreds of thousands of children to emergency rooms each year. Understanding animal behavior and teaching safe interactions protects both children and pets.

Understanding the Risks AAP

Most pet injuries involve familiar animals, not strays.

Key facts:

• Most dog bites to children come from family pets or neighbors' dogs
• Children under 5 are at highest risk
• Boys are bitten more often than girls
• Face and head injuries are common in young children
• Many bites happen during normal interactions

Why children get bitten:

• Not recognizing warning signs
• Disturbing dogs while eating or sleeping
• Treating animals like toys
• Moving too quickly or loudly
• Not understanding body language
• Dogs protecting territory or possessions

Supervising Children and Pets AVMA

Never leave young children alone with pets—ever.

Active supervision means:

• Adult present and watching interactions
• Ready to intervene
• Close enough to separate child and pet quickly
• Not distracted by other tasks

High-risk situations:

• Child and pet at same level (floor, bed)
• Pet eating or sleeping
• Pet with toys or treats
• New pet or unfamiliar animal
• Excited or stressed pet
• Tired, hungry, or cranky child

Setting up safe interactions:

• Ensure pet has escape route
• Create safe spaces where pet can retreat
• Keep young children and pets separated when can't supervise
• Baby gates can create safe zones

Teaching Children About Dogs AVMA

How to approach a dog:

• Always ask owner if it's okay to pet
• Let dog see and smell you first
• Approach slowly and calmly
• Pet on chest or side, not over head
• Don't run up to or chase dogs
• Don't scream or make sudden movements

What NOT to do around dogs:

• Don't approach unfamiliar dogs
• Don't disturb dogs that are eating
• Don't disturb dogs that are sleeping
• Don't take toys or food from dogs
• Don't hug dogs tightly (most don't like it)
• Don't put face close to dog's face
• Don't run away (triggers chase instinct)

Reading dog body language:

Teach children to recognize warning signs:

• Stiff body or tail
• Ears back
• Showing teeth
• Growling
• Whites of eyes visible
• Backing away
• Licking lips repeatedly

If a Dog Threatens or Attacks AAP

Teach children what to do if threatened:

"Be a tree":

• Stand still
• Hands at sides or crossed on chest
• Look at feet, not at dog
• Stay quiet
• Wait for dog to lose interest

If knocked down:

• Curl into ball
• Cover face and ears with hands
• Stay quiet and still
• Don't fight back

After an encounter:

• Tell an adult immediately
• Don't run until dog is gone
• Get medical attention if bitten

Cat Safety

Cats also pose bite and scratch risks.

Cat safety rules:

• Approach calmly, let cat come to you
• Pet gently, watch for signs of overstimulation
• Don't pull tails, ears, or whiskers
• Don't chase or corner cats
• Respect when cat wants to leave
• Be careful around kittens (sharp claws)

Cat warning signs:

• Twitching tail
• Flattened ears
• Hissing or growling
• Fur standing up
• Dilated pupils
• Swatting

Cat scratch concerns:

• Cat scratch disease is possible
• Keep cat's nails trimmed
• Clean scratches immediately
• Watch for signs of infection

Other Pets

Small animals (hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits):

• Supervise all handling
• Teach gentle touch
• Show proper holding technique
• Animals may bite if scared or hurt
• Wash hands after handling

Reptiles:

• Salmonella risk, especially for young children
• Children under 5 shouldn't handle reptiles
• Always wash hands after contact
• Keep reptiles away from food areas

Fish and birds:

• Generally lower risk
• Still supervise interactions
• Teach not to put hands in tanks
• Birds may bite

Preparing Pets for New Baby AVMA

If you're expecting, prepare your pet in advance.

Before baby arrives:

• Address any behavior issues
• Get pet used to baby sounds and smells
• Set up baby's room and establish boundaries
• Practice commands
• Consider professional training if needed

After baby arrives:

• Supervise ALL interactions
• Give pet attention to prevent jealousy
• Never leave baby alone with pet
• Watch for stress in pet
• Create safe spaces for both baby and pet

When Children Ask for a Pet

Before getting a pet:

• Research breeds and temperaments
• Consider child's age and maturity
• Understand time and cost commitment
• Meet the specific animal before adopting
• Plan for supervision responsibilities

Good first pets:

• Fish (low interaction risk)
• After age 5: hamsters, guinea pigs
• Dogs and cats require more supervision
• Match pet to family's lifestyle and time

Dog Bite Treatment AAP

For minor bites:

• Wash immediately with soap and water
• Apply antibiotic ointment
• Cover with clean bandage
• Watch for signs of infection

Seek medical attention for:

• Deep or gaping wounds
• Wounds that won't stop bleeding
• Bites on face, hands, or joints
• Signs of infection
• Any bite from unknown or unvaccinated animal
• Any bite that breaks the skin significantly

Report bites:

• Report to local animal control
• Helps track animals for rabies risk
• May prevent future incidents

Preventing Dog Bites AVMA

As a dog owner:

• Socialize and train your dog
• Spay or neuter
• Never leave children alone with dog
• Supervise all interactions
• Provide safe spaces for dog
• Recognize and respond to stress signs
• Seek help for behavior problems

As a parent:

• Teach children how to behave around dogs
• Supervise all interactions with any dog
• Model appropriate behavior
• Don't force interactions
• Respect children who are fearful

The Bottom Line

Safe interactions between children and pets require adult supervision, teaching children appropriate behavior, and respecting animals' needs and warning signs. Never leave young children alone with pets, teach children how to read animal body language, and intervene before situations escalate. With proper precautions, pets and children can have wonderful, safe relationships.

Clara is here to help you create safe relationships between your children and pets!