Hello, everyone! If you’re new here, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Understanding who I am is key to this post’s context. (By the way, I’d love to get to know YOU and your family as well if you’d like to introduce yourselves in the comments!)
I’m Maggie, the mother of Violet (age 5), Astrid (age 3), Cooper (a 12-year-old pit mix), Newt (my approximately 10-year-old black cat), and Ripley (a 5-year-old tortie). We also have a small fish tank, but the fish don’t get much attention.
I write professionally about pets, kids, and the environment, often exploring their intersections. In my role as a writer and through interactions with fellow moms, I frequently receive questions about a critical topic: How can I ensure my kids treat our pets respectfully, and vice versa?
These questions essentially boil down to the most important concern for parents sharing their homes with animals: How can I keep both my kids and pets SAFE in their interactions with each other?
An image of a young boy with shaggy red hair kissing a golden doodle dog on its head while they sit in a wooded area surrounded by trees. The text overlay reads: “3 safety tips for kids and pets.”
First Things First
Clearly, you’re not the type of person who allows their kids to climb all over their pets, tug their tails, or pull their ears. Of course not. (But if you are, please stop immediately. Seriously, stop today.)
Children need to understand how to interact safely with animals from an early age. Even if you don’t have pets at home, it’s crucial to teach kids how to behave around dogs and cats because animals are everywhere!
Some fundamental rules of kindness and safety include not climbing on animals, avoiding tail and ear grabbing, refraining from collar tugging, asking for permission before petting an unfamiliar animal, and more. It’s essential to teach your children these pet safety rules and lead by example.
For families with pets, it’s unfair to expect your animals to know how to act around your children, especially if your dog or cat is uncomfortable around kids. As the parent, it’s your responsibility to take charge. So, here are three pet safety tips for kids that you can start implementing today!
Tip 1: Teach Your Kids Basic Animal Behavior and Body Language
From a young age, educate your children to observe their pets’ behavior and understand what those behaviors signify. Explain when your dog wags its tail in excitement or when your cat swishes its tail in irritation. The more you point out and verbalize, the more your children will absorb. Keep your observations neutral but educational.
For example:
- “I notice that Fluffy’s eyes look extra large, and her tail is swaying. That indicates she’s feeling uncomfortable, so let’s give her some space.”
- “Fido appeared very happy when I came home from work! I could tell because his tail was wagging rapidly, and he was spinning around.”
- “I see Tiger hiding behind the bookshelf. That’s his way of saying playtime is over. Let’s go color in the kitchen and give Tiger some time to recharge.”
Regarding growling, remember that it’s a warning sign. A growl means your pet is uncomfortable, unhappy, or in pain. Never scold your dog for growling. Take it as a warning and intervene promptly. Then, explain to your child what was happening. Correct your child’s behavior, not the growl.
For helpful resources on teaching kids about basic animal behavior, check out “Dog Bite Prevention: Safety First for Kids and Pets.”
Tip 2: Always Provide Your Pets with Escape Routes
This is particularly important for cats. Consider our living room setup as an example: One doorway has a baby gate that can swing open and shut. It remains open most of the day, except when we need to give Cooper some space away from the kids. The second doorway features a closed baby gate with a small cat door in the middle, always left open. This arrangement allows Newt and Ripley to come and go as they please, regardless of whether the other gate is open. We’ve taught Violet and Astrid that the gates are there for safety, and they know not to open them to access the cats.
Cooper has the freedom to roam the house and choose where he wants to be, or not be, at any time. However, he’s a Velcro dog and prefers to be with me. Since I often have to tend to Violet and Astrid, he’s typically with us. When the kids were very young, I enforced a “follow me” command to ensure he was never left alone with the babies.
The bottom line is that your pets should never feel trapped or cornered. Give them ample opportunities to leave any space. If they do become stuck or if you need them to leave for safety reasons, remove them behind a gate or using a “follow me” command.
For further safety tips regarding dogs living with babies, check out “Dogs and Babies: Can Everyone Get Along?” And if you have dogs and toddlers, who can be quite unpredictable, consider reading “Dogs and Toddlers: A Realistic and Honest Guide to Keeping Them Safe From Each Other.”
Tip 3: Do Not Compel Your Pets to Do Anything, but Establish Pet-Safety Boundaries for Your Kids
As the adult human in the household, you are the advocate for the animals and the voice of reason for your children.
I’ve witnessed parents forcing their pets to endure unwanted petting from their kids or physically handling them when it’s clear the pet is uncomfortable. I’ve seen parents drag their pets by the collar or scoop them up instead of allowing them to escape. While we all wish for our pets and kids to get along, it should never come at the expense of safety and respect.
Never compel your pets to do anything (within the bounds of reason and safety). However, teach your kids responsible boundaries for interacting with animals (e.g., refrain from touching an animal while it’s eating, drinking, or playing with a toy) and instill in them a sense of responsibility for treating animals kindly.
If you want to involve your kids in pet care tasks, I have an excellent guide on teaching your kids how to take on pet-care responsibilities.
Kids and Pets: Potential Best Friends or Adversaries
Strive for a strong bond by ensuring your children understand how to interact safely with your pets. Trust and safety are crucial for forming a lasting connection.
If your household includes both humans and animals, what are your family’s pet safety rules or boundaries? Do you have any additional tips or tricks to add to this list, or any questions or challenges you’d like assistance with? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
