Introducing pets to children can be a daunting task. Naturally, every parent worries about their little one getting hurt, and there’s a risk of the animal being injured too. Whether you’re getting pets for your children, or just want to teach them how to act around other people’s pets, this guide will help to keep your child and any animals involved safe.

How to Act Responsibly Around Pets

It’s part of being a responsible adult pet owner to keep children safe around their pet. Children need to learn how to behave around pets and how to handle them properly.

Dogs, cats and rabbits are good pets for kids as they can be handled regularly, but care should be taken when holding them. It’s best for the child to be seated on the floor, especially young children, so there’s less chance of the pet being injured if it wriggles and escapes their hold.

Small pets for kids, like hamsters and mice, may seem like a good idea but they can be harder to handle, especially for young children. They’re often nocturnal too, so will want to sleep when the child is awake.

Staying calm when around pets is very important. Being too loud and lively can be scary and threatening for an animal. Teach your children to let the animal approach them and to not make sudden movements. Use toys and treats to encourage your pet if they seem reluctant, but do not force an interaction.

Animals are naturally curious and will investigate in their own time. Being quiet and calm will teach your dog, cat or rabbit that you aren’t a threat.

How to Safely Approach a Pet

When a kid sees a cute dog, cat or rabbit, they want to rush over and give it a cuddle! Being over-excited when hugging dogs, cats and other pets can be scary and an invasion of their personal space. But this can scare the animal and lead to accidents, like a dog bite or a cat scratch, so it’s important children learn the safe way to approach them and pet carefully.

If the animal isn’t their own, they should first check with you and the owner if they’re allowed to. Placing a treat on the ground between them will encourage the animal to come forward to greet them. If they engage with the child, like nudging their hand with its head, it's OK to stroke them, but their head/face should be avoided.

The child should remain calm throughout, so they don’t scare the animal. If the animal’s behaviour changes, and they appear to be frightened or distressed, the child should immediately stop what they‘re doing and leave the animal alone.

To keep your child safe around dogs that approach them in a scary way, teach them to remain calm and stand still with their arms by their side. Avoid eye contact with the dog and slowly move away to find an adult. This should show the dog that they’re not a threat or someone to play with. It’s important not to run away, as the dog may see this as play and chase them.

What NOT to do Around Pets

All pets need a safe space to retreat to where they are not disturbed. Don’t let your child approach their pet in this space or try to remove them from it. They also shouldn’t approach their pet when eating, sleeping or if it’s unwell.

Animals can also be protective over their toys, so don’t try to take a toy away from them. If you want to play with them, it’s best to pick up a toy they’re not using.

As much as your child may want to hug and kiss their pet, they shouldn’t get in their face or restrict their movement. Gently petting the animal is the best way to show affection and this will often lead to them curling up on their lap for a snooze.

Children and pets can have great fun playing together, but it’s important that the child knows what the boundaries are for playtime. Don’t let them climb on their pet or pull on their tail or ears. Never back an animal into a corner or restrict their space.

Some animals are happy to partake in dress up play, but most aren’t, so don’t allow your child to put anything on your pet like clothes or hats. This could cause distress for the pet and lead to an injury.

Understanding an Animal’s Body Language

If a pet is feeling uncomfortable, scared or threatened it will display warning signs. Their body language will change from a relaxed posture to a more hunched position. Dogs will bare their teeth and may growl. Cats tend to raise their hair and hiss.

Other signs that the pet is feeling uncomfortable include pacing, panting, cowering, hiding, turning their head away, or placing their ears back.

Rabbits are more subtle, so the signs are easily missed. Some rabbits will try to make themselves appear smaller and crouch low to the ground. Stamping the hind feet is a sign of being scared. It’s not common for rabbits to bite, but they may do if they feel particularly frightened.

It’s more likely that a rabbit will accidentally scratch the handler when trying to escape. Teaching kids to leave an animal alone when it displays these behaviours is extremely important. This will help to prevent any injuries from happening to both the pet and child.

Learning how to be a responsible pet owner will keep your children’s pets happy and safe. Dogs, cats and rabbits are easy pets for kids to look after, but if they’re interested in another animal, the same rules apply. Children should be supervised when around animals to help prevent accidents. Getting pets for kids is a great way to teach them important life skills like compassion, responsibility, and communication. 

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