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Child Safety: Pets

Table of Contents


Overview

Keep pets in good health

All pets, whether they are kept indoors or outside, should be in good health, show no signs of disease, and be friendly toward children. These tips can help protect both your pet and your child from getting sick or hurt.

Train and prepare dogs

If you have a dog, train and prepare it for contact with children. Many dogs will try to dominate children because of their small size. Also, some children aren't well-behaved around animals. These things put children at risk for injury. You can do these things to help prevent such problems with dogs and other pets.1

Take extra care with newborns and pets

Animals can become jealous, aggressive, and defensive about trying to protect their place in the family. Also, newborns don't act, smell, or sound human, which may confuse pets. The weak, high-pitched cry of newborns may also sound like prey to animals. Even a very loving, well-behaved pet can quickly transform into predator mode with a newborn.

Try the following to prepare your pet for sharing its home with an infant.1

Teach your children safe habits around animals

Children will likely encounter pets whether or not they have them in their own home. Teach your children how to approach animals, and set rules. Here are some examples. 2, 3


References

Citations

  1. Humane Society of the United States (2010). Introducing your pet and new baby. Available online: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_babies.html.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics (2012). Safety around animals. Available online: http://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Safety-Around-Animals.aspx.
  3. Pickering LK, et al. (2008, reaffirmed 2011). Exposure to nontraditional pets at home and to animals in public settings: Risks to children. Pediatrics, 122(4): 876–886.

Credits for Child Safety: Pets

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


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