This time I will share my thoughts on how to protect your loved ones from getting in trouble.
Kids and pets match great, they are companions and close friends. All parents want their children enjoy the benefits of raising an animal without any problems. So, the safety comes first.
Here are some general tips:
Do not leave your young child alone with a pet. Always supervise, since children under 5 will not always understand or remember instructions.
Keep your pet’s food and toys away from your child and feed your pet well.
Teach your child how to act around animals:
• Walk slowly, never run up to or away from an animal.
• Never disturb an animal that is eating, sleeping, or chewing on something.
• Always ask the owner before touching any pet.
• Never tease or stare at an animal.
• Never grab an animal by the feet, ears, or tail.
• Never touch or pick up a wild or stray animal.
• Stay away from all baby animals.
• Learn what an angry animal looks like. Stay away from angry animals.
• Never try to break up an animal fight.
Don’t allow pet and baby to sleep in the same room unattended.
Take your pet to the veterinarian for a complete checkup. Have them dewormed and vaccinated. A grooming, nail trim, and flea bath are also important.
Don’t try to force a relationship between your pet and your child.
Never ignore the safety precautions.
Some more specific tips for dogs and cats.
Dogs
Teach your kid to stop if approached by a dog, stand still with her hands at her sides and let a dog she doesn’t know sniff her, speak softly to it and back away slowly.
Explain that if she runs away, the dog may think she’s playing and chase her. Tell her to curl up into a ball to protect her face and hands if a dog knocks her down.
Teach your child to avoid dogs that are growling, baring their teeth, or whose fur is standing on end.
Don’t assume that a dog in a muzzle can’t hurt your little one with his paw, for instance.
Instruct her never to stare into a dog’s eyes, which can antagonize it.
Enroll your dog in an obedience class, so he learns not to jump on people and to follow some simple commands, which can help keep him under control around kids.
Use baby gates or crate to keep your dog in a room away from your child when necessary.
Show her how to stroke a pup’s back and sides, instead of reaching over his head.
Never let your child play tug-of-war or wrestle with a dog; it can trigger a bite.
Leave poop scooping to adults.
Have your dog spayed or neutered, which can calm him.
Cats
Cats usually do not chase kids, but if a child chases a cat or corners it, the animal may get aggressive and scratch or bite.
Teach your child that if a kitty flips its tail back and forth quickly, it’s more likely to scratch or bite, so avoid it.
Keep your cat’s claws trimmed short.
If your child is scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area well with soap and water, and rinse for at least 30 seconds. After a scratch, watch for swollen glands or lingering tenderness at the site over the next two weeks — signs that your child may need antibiotics.
Teach your child to stroke a cat softly from head to tail, to pet it gently on the back or behind its ears, not to roll a cat over to rub its stomach, and not to pick it up.
Keep your cat indoors to minimize exposure to ticks and fleas and to keep her safe.
Don’t let your child handle the litter box.
