Staying safe around pets

To ensure that all family members, including those with fur, can coexist in a safe space, it is important to teach your children how to interact with household pets safely.

While pets like cats and dogs can bring joy to a family, they also have survival instincts and communication styles that may harm children.
 

Dogs 

Children aged 0-5 are at the highest risk of being bitten by a dog, especially if the dog is known to them or is their own. This is most likely to occur in their own home.

It’s important to note that any dog is capable of biting a child in the wrong situation. Following the steps below will help keep your home environment safe and prevent injury from the furry members of the family. 

Remember to:

  • always supervise your child when they are near dogs and model positive behaviour
  • teach your child to pat dogs gently and calmly
  • don’t try to pat dogs that are eating, sleeping, playing with a toy, growling, backing away, raising the hair on their back or raising puppies
  • teach your child to never pull their tail, fur or ears
  • never let your child intervene or pat dogs who are fighting
  • be aware that when you or your child play aggressive games with a dog, such as wrestling, it may make your dog more aggressive
  • train your dog from an early age to sit, stay, drop and come to establish boundaries and discipline and make sure the whole family know the same commands
  • make sure the dog you choose is going to fit your family dynamic and activity levels
  • only allow your child to approach other dogs after they have asked permission from the owner - teach your child to approach the dog slowly with the back of their hand extended.

Cats

Cats are also a great pet for the family home and are usually quite safe when handled gently. Although usually smaller than a family dog, a cat can still cause puncture wound injury through scratches or bites. 

Remember to:

  • keep cats out of babies' sleeping and play areas so they do not have access to where children may be more vulnerable
  • teach your child to respect the cat’s space and independence
  • make sure your child understands they shouldn’t access or play in the cat’s litter tray.
     

Birds 

These safety tips will help prevent children’s injury from pet birds in the home:

  • ensure bird cages are secure, locked and out of reach of young children
  • teach your child gentle handling
  • teach your child not to put their fingers inside a bird cage
  • teach your child not to hold pet birds too close to their face
  • always supervise a child if they are feeding wild birds from outside the house
  • be aware of Parrot fever risks.

See the following factsheet for more information on other animals, bugs and creatures: