Skip to main content

Teaching Kids And Pets


Teaching Kids And Pets To Co-Exist Peacefully


It is possible for children and pets to coexist in the same household, peacefully. Many people mistakenly think that as soon as they start having children that their pet needs to head to the local shelter.

They fear that the cat or dog will not get along with the new child and it will result in biting or scratching.

This is not always the case and if you take the time to introduce your pets to your children properly, your kids and pets can live in harmony.

One of the biggest concerns that new parents have when it comes to pets in the home is how it will react to a baby. Many of the old wives tales such as cats sucking the breath out of babies simply are not true. In fact, many cats and dogs readily accept a new child into the home and become fiercely loyal and protective over the baby.



When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you should introduce your pet to your new baby. Of course, these introductions need supervision. Allow your cat or dog time to sniff your child at his or her own pace. Make the introduction pleasant for your cat or dog. In most cases, your cat or dog will not give your baby a second thought. Allow your pet to adjust to the new situation on his or her own terms. When a baby comes to the house, it is an adjustment for everybody.

The other thing that you might want to consider doing when you bring a baby into the home is to make sure that your cat or dog is properly groomed. This includes trimming your dog or cat nails. Your dog may want to put a paw on your baby.  If his or her nails are long and sharp, your dog may accidentally scratch your infant. While you can never eliminate pet hair from your home if your dog or cat clipped and brushed it will certainly help your home stay a little cleaner. Many new parents also worry about allergies. The fact is, many studies have shown that children who are exposed to pets from a very young age, actually have fewer pet allergies than children who are not exposed to pets.
Thunder Shirts from 1-800-Petmeds
To help calm your pet
(affiliate link)

Another good idea is to make sure that your pets do not have access to your baby’s room during naptime or at night without supervision. While your pet probably means no harm to your child, pets are naturally curious. A cat may jump into your infant crib, or in large dogs could easily a knock bassinet or cradle over. You should always supervise your pet when it is around your new baby at all times. Most of all, you should try to make sure that you are still spending quality time with your pet when possible. This especially pertains to dogs, which are used to playing in the backyard and going for walks.

As your child grows, you need to begin teaching your child proper pet etiquette. If your dog or cat has learned to respect your child, then your child also needs to learn to respect your pet. Teach your child from a young age that they should never pull or yank a cat or dog's tail or ears. Your child can learn proper pet etiquette even at a very young age. You will also want to teach your child to respect your pet’s space. This includes making sure that your child understands that he or she should never wake a sleeping pet. This could cause your pet to become startled and could result in biting or scratching.
In addition, you will want to make sure that your child understands to stay out of your pet’s food, water, and litter box. Your child will be naturally curious, so it is always best to give your pet some private space away from your child.

There are many things you can do to make sure that children and pets coexist peacefully.  Your children and pets need to learn to respect each other from the very beginning.  There is no reason to get rid of your cat or dog just because you have a child in the home.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cats Are Cleanly

Affiliate link Cats Are Cleanly - This Can Help Stop Litter Box Problems The most common reason why cats wind up sitting in a cage at an animal shelter is because they refuse to use the litter box. Cat urine has a very strong odor, and getting it out of fabric or even removing the smell entirely from hard surfaces can be difficult. And, cats have been known not only to defecate behind furniture to hide the deed, but also often on the worst places possible, such as your bed.  If you've been frustrated in trying to get your cat to use the litter box, you may be surprised to learn that the answer to the problem could be very easy to solve. Please note that any cat who is not using the litter box should be checked out by a veterinarian, just to rule out hidden illness. Keeping It Clean  Rather than getting angry at your wayward cat, it may be time to examine a critical element in the problem - the litter box itself. Cats are very clean animals, and one thing that can drive ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fish as Pets

Fish as pets Are you an aquarium person? Having an aquarium can be fun and relaxing. Starting out you don't have to go big right from the start. Starting small is the best way if you're new to keeping fish. Start with a ten-gallon tank they are less expensive and readily available at many larger department store. However, I suggest supporting one of your local pet store or aquarium stores.    Starting with a ten-gallon tank has two very good reasons.  You can learn what it takes to establish a good fish environment. With less expense in equipment and livestock.  As you grow in the comforts of keeping an aquarium and decide to graduate to a larger environment with the more delicate tropical fish you will have a good isolation tank for the times you need to treat a condition that a fish may have or you find that you have an aggressive bully in the tank and can isolate it for a while.
Post a Comment
Read more

Indoors Or Outdoors: What is Best For Your Pet

Indoors Or Outdoors: What Is Best For Your Pet Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or dog, you need to take the time to consider the living arrangements for your pet. Many people adopt pets with the idea that they will be raising an outdoor animal. How many people in your neighborhood keep their dogs or cat’s outdoors at all times?  The fact of the matter is, outside is not a safe place for a cat or a dog. When you adopt a pet, you need to make sure that you are ready to allow your pet into your home.
Post a Comment
Read more