Positive, gentle interactions between young children and pets are a joy to behold and can enrich the lives of both the child and the animal. However, it’s not always a given that these interactions will run smoothly, so it’s important to take some consistent precautions to keep both parties happy and safe.

Supervision

It’s recommended that children below eight years of age should always be supervised in their interactions with pets, with the adult on duty looking out for subtle body language cues that may indicate the pet is not enjoying themselves and requires space.

We’d recommend checking out these articles on dog and cat body language, including how to recognise signs of stress.

Retreats

Who doesn’t need a bit of remedial “quiet time” on occasion? Our pets are no different, particularly if they are feeling stressed by an intense social interaction or unfamiliar visitor.

We’d recommend that all pets have at least one designated private space that they can retreat to when required to feel safe.

For dogs, this can be a comfortably furnished crate or bed in a quiet area, whereas cats may prefer a quiet room sectioned off with a child-proof gate (that they can jump over) or bed elevated up onto a piece of high furniture.

Ensure that children are taught that when a pet is in their “safe zone”, they should be left alone.

Ensuring pets are in tip-top health

It’s not uncommon that we see a pet become uncharacteristically temperamental or uncomfortable with handling due to an undiagnosed painful medical condition, such as arthritis, dental disease, or an ear infection.

We’d recommend that pets eight years of age and older undergo a veterinary health examination every 6-12 months, but that any pet showing an unusual change in behaviour is rechecked promptly too.

For more advice on supporting positive interactions between children and pets, please consult our family-friendly team!