Many children are drawn to animals and love petting, cuddling, and playing with cats, dogs, and pets of all species. However, pets are not always as comfortable around children, largely because kids are unpredictable, loud, and fail to respect personal space. However, with practice and patience, you can teach your child how to interact with all animals and to coexist peacefully with your pet. Here are 10 rules to help foster safe relationships between children and pets.

#1: Never leave children and pets together unsupervised

Although you may be in the same room closely watching your child and your pet, accidents can still occur, but they are much less likely. Ideally, always supervise your pet and child when they are together, and separate them when you cannot keep a close eye on their behavior. You are the best advocate for your pet’s comfort and can pick up on subtle body language cues better than your child, preventing an accident.

#2: Never allow your child to approach a strange pet without permission

A strange dog on a leash may appear friendly (i.e., wagging tail, pulling forward), but their signals can be misinterpreted, or the dog may become fearful and aggressive when your child ventures too close. Always ask the owner’s permission before approaching a strange pet, as they will know how their pet will react and can guide your child on how to safely approach and interact.

#3: Always leave your sleeping pet alone

The rule “Let sleeping dogs lie” was coined for a reason and should always apply—for cats, too. Any animal who is startled awake may inadvertently hurt your child in self-defense. Teach your child to make your pet aware of their presence from a distance, by calling their name or walking heavily to make the floor vibrate and to approach your pet only when they are fully awake and aware. Ideally, your child should never approach your pet and always wait for your cat or dog to go to them.

#4: Give your pet a safe space to eat

Children who linger too close to the food bowl can make any pet anxious, which may result in food aggression. Let your pet eat in a separate room or in their crate to prevent mishaps.

#5: Teach your child safe games to play with your pet

Children often roughhouse with pets, but their excitement, shouting, and erratic movements may lead to an unintended scratch or bite. Show your child how to use pet toys that keep a distance between teeth and fingers, and explain that they should let their pet calm down before they become overly excited.

#6: Teach your child basic pet body language

Teaching your child to read your pet’s subtle cues can be challenging, but this knowledge will serve them well every time they interact with a pet. Show them pictures of pets using basic body language, such as a scared versus friendly cat or dog. One key point—emphasize that not every wagging tail means a dog is friendly and can indicate they are about to attack.

#7: Model gentle interactions between you and your pet

Show your child how to interact with pets by modeling appropriate, gentle behavior. Show them how to pet cats and dogs and the areas that most pets do not like to be touched. Pets typically prefer long, gentle strokes along the back or scratches under the ears and chin, or at the tail base, rather than being patted on the head.

#8: Teach your child the pet-pet-pause method

Teach your child the pet-pet-pause method so they know when a pet wants to interact and when they want to leave—and that they must always respect your pet’s wishes. Teach your child that they can play with or pet your cat or dog who approaches them, and then should pause to see if your pet wants to continue. This puts the ball squarely in your pet’s court and allows them to choose to leave without an interaction being forced.

#9: Instruct your child to wash their hands after handling their pet

Pets can get into some nasty stuff, from rotting trash or wildlife on walks, to the litter box at home. Ensure your child learns good hygiene habits and washes their hands thoroughly after every play time with their pet.

#10: Keep your pet current on preventive care 

Wellness visits are necessary to help protect your pet from infectious diseases and parasites through vaccination and prevention, and also to protect your child from diseases the pet can transmit. Your pet should receive wellness screenings annually, or more frequently, depending on their age and health.

Nothing is more heartwarming than seeing your child and pet snuggled up together. Ensure their safety by teaching your child the rules of behavior and by keeping your pet current on their preventive health care. Give our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team a call to schedule your pet’s wellness screening appointment.