Five Pet Safety Tips For Young Children

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Did you know? Today is National Kids and Pets Day! While pets are an absolute joy for people of all ages, they are especially beneficial for children as they grow up. For example, The Huffington Post explains that pets can teach children about unconditional love, empathy and responsibility, as well as help children socialize and improve their verbal skills! But since animals are, well, animals, it's important for children to know a bit about pet safety so that they AND their furry friends are safe at all times.

Top 5 Pet Safety Tips For Kids

The following list includes five of what we believe to be the most important safety tips children need to know where pets and animals are concerned:

1. Don't sneak up on or approach an animal, even when they are your own, while they are eating or sleeping. Additionally, if an animal is playing with a toy on its own, children should also allow them to have their personal space.
2. Never touch an animal's eyes, ears, nose or mouth when approaching it for the first time. Instead, children should approach with their palm facing up so that the animal has a chance to sniff first.
3. Avoid making a lot of noise or sudden movements when approaching an animal. Similarly, if a child is approached by an animal that they don't know, they should also try to remain quiet and do their best not to scream.
4. When petting an animal, never pull or tug on any part of their body - always be gentle. When approaching an animal to pet them, also approach from a direction that the animal can see rather than come up behind them.
5. Regardless of how trustworthy a child and an animal is, there should always be adult supervision in case the child or the pet begins to act uncharacteristically.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we know just how special having a pet can be for children, so we hope you'll share these tips with children you know so that they can enjoy their pets safely! And if you're part of a family who has pets as well, know that we're always here to help you care for them. From vaccines to surgical procedures, spays/neuters, dentistry, microchips and more, we do it all!

To learn more about our practice, please give us a call at (908) 464-0023 today.