Child Proofing Your Pet (Part 1)
Many types of dogs have a fine temperament around children, and manage a bit of horse play without reacting aggressively. Sadly, this is not the case for cats. Particularly with younger ones, playing with or picking up the cat or kitten can lead to scratches and bites. If you’re expecting visits from little tykes, you should try to separate them from each other whenever you can. And if you haven’t made a decision for a dog or cat for the household, you should consider avoiding a cat.
Including little tykes in the pet’s day to day life, cleaning, grooming, feeding, and likewise will aid the little tykes to have a closer relationship. The result is that as the small ones come to love the animal, they’re less likely to hurt it. However, care should be taken with very small children to assist them, so that the pet gets proper attention.
Little children, both in the family or dropping by, must learn how best to play with your dog or cat. It’s important that they be told it’s not a toy, and that it needs care like any other playmate. Tugging, pulling, hitting, slapping, or other unpleasant behavior must not be tolerated, and you will need some form of discipline to tell the young one how serious this is.