Lots of pets, like dogs, naturally have playful, gentle, and sociable personalities. As such, it’s easy for young children to be drawn to and fascinated by them. However, even if a dog or a cat appears outwardly friendly, it’s not recommended for children to quickly approach them with their arms wide open. Not all pets are comfortable having unfamiliar people come up to them, and a cautious pet may respond to a child’s excitement with something other than friendly behavior. In turn, kids who have bad experiences with pets due to not knowing how to approach them carefully enough may become fearful of the latter and develop a negative perception of domesticated animals in general.
As a parent, the onus falls on you to teach your kids the following pet safety concepts so that their interactions with animals will largely be positive ones:
1) Always Ask the Owner First Before Approaching a Pet
Teaching kids to always ask the owner before interacting with a pet is crucial for both a child’s safety and the animal's comfort. As mentioned above, not all pets are accustomed to being approached by strangers, and even if they are, it’s possible for an animal to show aggressive behavior because they’ve been startled.
On top of helping kids avoid potentially dangerous situations, asking the owner also gives the former the opportunity to learn about any specific behaviors or health issues the pet might have. For instance, a cat owner may mention that their fur baby finds certain types of petting painful, and this will prompt your kids to be more careful when interacting with the feline.
Another reason it’s essential for your kids to learn how to ask permission is that the pet might be working. Service dogs, for instance, have to stay extra vigilant of their surroundings so they can tend to their owners’ needs, and touching them without warning can distract them from their work.
Although most service dogs have “service animal” written on their custom dog collars, children may not fully understand what it means. Let your kids learn to how to ask the owner whether it’s okay to approach their service animal to show respect for both parties and the important job the animal has to do.
2) Avoid Touching or Approaching Unattended Pets
Children should also be taught to never touch or approach unattended pets, no matter how friendly they might seem. Unattended pets can react unpredictably, especially if they feel threatened, anxious, or scared, and may become aggressive to defend themselves.
Kids must understand that an unattended pet might be lost, injured, or in a stressful situation, and avoiding them can prevent causing further distress to the animal. This approach also reduces a child’s own risk of getting bitten or scratched.
3) Encourage Gentle and Safe Pet Handling and Playtime
Proper pet handling and playtime are essential for building a positive relationship between children and pets. Rough or improper handling can cause stress, fear, or injury to the pet and may lead to unsafe situations. If your kids know how to act around pets, the animals will gradually feel more secure and comfortable in their presence and be open to building trust.
Gentle handling requires teaching your kids to use slow and calm movements so that they won’t look like a threat to the animals. You should also show them how to gently pet a dog or cat and explain why they must avoid touching sensitive areas like the tail, ears, and face.
During playtime, give your kids the right toys so that they can safely play with pets. Toys like a ball or cat wand, for example, are excellent options for cats because your kids can use them lighthandedly andwithout hassle. Make sure that you’re supervising your kids’ interactions with pets to ensure that they’re gentle and respectful with the animals, offering your own guidance as needed.
4) Watch the Pet’s Body Language
Knowing how to read a pet’s body language is a key skill for safe interactions. Kids should learn about signs of stress or discomfort in pets, such as growling, hissing, flattened ears, or a tucked tail—and, moreover, they should understand these as cues that the pet may not want to be approached or handled at that moment.
Next, you should alert your kids to subtle cues, like a stiff body posture or dilated pupils. Let them know that these signify unease and indicate that it may not be the best time to continue engaging with the animal. Your kids should then be able to adjust their behavior to avoid causing distress or provoking a defensive reaction which, in turn, will preserve both the children’s and the pets’ safety.
5) Recognize a Pet’s Boundaries
Every pet has its own set of boundaries, and children need to learn and respect these limits. Some pets may enjoy cuddling and being held. Others, however, might prefer being left alone from the get-go.
Explain to your kids that, just like humans, pets need their own time and space. Teach your kids to pay attention to a pet’s reactions and to back off if the animal shows signs of discomfort or tries to move away. Respect for boundaries helps prevent negative interactions and sets a good precedent for trust and affection.
Your knowledge and oversight of pet safety will protect both your kidsand the animals from harm, and down the line, it will nurture your children’s empathy for animals’ needs and emotions. Should your kidswant to take care of a pet in the future, these lessons will prepare them for the responsibilities that come with owning one.
Luckily, children are often quick and receptive learners. You may be surprised at how easily your kids will take to behaving around animals if you teach them the basics and model good behavior around animals yourself.
