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Young Children and the Family Pet
Some helpful ideas for creating a safe and happy household By Jennifer Dragotta, MsEd and edited by Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT Animals can make wonderful friends for children. However, when a child is an infant or toddler, they are still learning how to relate to others, including animals. Here are some important things to remember when you have a young child in the home with a family pet 1) Keep constant supervision No infant or toddler under the age of four should ever be left alone with an animal. Even the most mild-mannered dog or cat is capable of aggression if provoked or under stress. If a child screams in a dog’s ear or pulls a cats tail, it is uncertain how aroused the animal will become. 2) Model respectful interactions with your pet Treating your cat and dog with respect and love is crucial to teaching your child how to interact with your pet. 3) Catch them “doing good.” There will be times when you need to correct inappropriate behavior. You’ll see below several places where we recommend a “firm NO.” That being said, we all learn better by being told what to do as opposed to what not to do. So, if you see your child doing something appropriate with your pet, make sure to say, “Good Job” or Good (fill-in-the-blank).” 4) Teach appropriate petting behavior A young child will want to pet the dog or cat. Teach your child how to pet animals with gentle strokes. Show them how to pet with the fur, not against it. In addition, show them where the animal likes to be touched. Many animals dislike being thumped on top of their heads or are sensitive to having their hips or bellies touched. Youngsters will be particularly drawn to outstanding or unique body parts, such as a curly tail or floppy ears. If your child grabs a dog’s or cat’s tail or any other sensitive area, firmly tell your child “No,” and explain simply that the animal doesn’t like that. Even if your child is too young to understand the explanation, it will help them to know that there is a reason. 5) Monitor playtime Children may come to regard the family pet as playmate, so it is important that any play interaction is safe for both your child and pet. Do not allow any rough play since it can get out of hand quickly. If your child tries to jump on the animal’s back, stop him or her immediately with a firm no and a short explanation. If playtime becomes too overwhelming for either your child or your pet, it is important to give a time out to cool down. Redirect their behavior to something that is more pleasant for the animals such as fetch or hide the treats. 6) Stay away during mealtime Animals can get aggressive if they feel someone is trying to take away their food. A toddler may not understand that the dog’s toy is not his or hers to share, so keep your dog’s toys separate from your child’s toys. Dogs can be very possessive of their toys, especially high value chew toys, such as rawhides, pig’s ears, or bones. If your child takes the animal’s toy, firmly say no. Give your dog chew toys only when your child is sleeping, or when your dog is in his or her crate or in a separate room. 7) Keep your child away from sleeping dogs or cats No one likes to be woken up out of a deep sleep, including your pet. If a child tries to awaken a sleeping animal, it will most likely startle the animal and can provoke aggression. 8) Choose an appropriate pet If you are looking to bring an animal into your home with a toddler or infant, it is important to choose a pet that will be safe for everyone. A puppy or kitten under four months is not ideal for a toddler or an infant since they are in similar learning stages. A young puppy or kitten is learning how to interact with others, just as a toddler and an infant, and they both may overstep their boundaries. In addition, the baby teeth and claws of young animals are needle-sharp and can do inadvertent damage. 9) Teach responsibility By providing your child with small, age-appropriate tasks, such as filling the water bowl or accompanying you on a walk, children will develop the sense of responsibility that comes with having a pet. Jennifer Dragotta is the Manager of Education Programs. Jacque Lynn Schultz is the ASPCA Companion Animal Program Advisor and Director of the National Shelter Outreach Department. |