Introducing Pets to Children: Health and Safety Considerations
Pets are a great addition to any family, especially to our young ones. These little furry friends can help with social skills development while also promoting emotional health. However, your kids and pets can only develop strong, meaningful bonds with the right setup. As a parent, you need a thoughtful approach to minimise the risks, such as health issues and fear-based behaviours, that come with introducing pets to children.
Health and Safety Considerations When Kids Meet Pets
Bringing pets into a child’s environment can present a few health risks if you do not manage the process properly. The right approach will be early preparation and expert veterinary advice to help understand species-specific risks, vaccination schedules and preventative care. Let’s explore some of the health and safety considerations as part of early preparation:
Zoonotic Diseases and Parasites
One of the main risks that require a parent’s attention is potential zoonotic diseases and parasites. Pets often carry diseases and parasites, such as ringworms, cat scratch disease, and salmonella (from reptiles), that can spread to human beings. But it is not as scary as it sounds—as long as you manage the risks, your kids will be just fine spending time with their favourite pet.
To minimise the risk of these diseases and parasites affecting your family, ensure the pets are regularly dewormed. Schedule regular visits to the vet for check-ups. In addition, train your kids to wash hands after touching pets and avoid allowing pets to lick faces and open wounds.
Allergies and Respiratory Sensitivities
Besides zoonotic diseases and parasites, pets also produce allergens that could cause allergies in some children. These allergens include saliva, fur, or even dander that pets shed into their surroundings. Since allergies can lead to serious issues, especially for kids, it is important to take a proactive approach to avoid such scenarios in the first place.
The first step you can take is to get your child tested for allergies (especially if there is history of such cases in the family). Alternatively, opt for hypoallergenic breeds to avoid the risk of allergies altogether. In addition, try your best to keep pets off beds and maintain good ventilation at all times.
Scratches, Bites and Rough Play
Although it is quite rare, even the most friendly pets can bite or scratch when provoked or scared. When spending time with children, there are plenty of ways they can get provoked; maybe their tails get yanked, or their ears are pulled. So, before introducing a pet to your family, make sure you are prepared through the following few steps.
Firstly, teach the kids how to handle pets, i.e., avoid yanking their tails and chasing them around. Additionally, always supervise play, especially during the first few weeks of introducing the pet at home. If necessary, enrol your pet in basic obedience training and reinforce gentle behaviour with affirmations and treats.
Aggressive and Anxious Behaviour
Pets that are unfamiliar with kids (perhaps they have spent most of their lives with adults) may become a little anxious or aggressive around kids. That is quite risky because it could lead to dangerous encounters such as biting or scratching.
To manage this risk, you should consider gradually introducing the pet to the presence of the child. This gradual introduction involves a variety of steps. For starters, prepare your kid for the arrival by discussing the pet’s needs and how to handle them. Also, the initial interactions should be kept short and supervised to give both of them a chance to grow and become more comfortable.
Summary
When introducing new pets to your kids, it is essential to understand these safety and health considerations to minimise potential accidents. As a parent, you should adopt a proactive approach, including proper preparation, training and supervision to minimise the risks. In addition, involve a veterinarian in all the processes for professional support.
