Pets & children: safety first

Eight steps to keep kids from being hurt by--or hurting--dogs and cats.

Nothing seems more natural than smiling parents looking on as children happily romp with pets. We think of our feline and canine companions as friendly and harmless--and the vast majority are. Then why is it that an estimated 4.5 million Americans are bitten each year?

Children, particularly those under 10 years of age, are the unfortunate recipients of nearly 10 percent of these bites, according to a report just released by Jeffrey Sacks, a medical epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta. While it's important to note that most of these bites rank in the minor category, many cause serious injury, even hospitalization, and many bites go unreported. According to the CDC report, the majority of victims in the 25 fatal dog attacks reported in 1995 and 1996 were children ages 6 to 10, making them the most high-risk group.

The good news is that animal experts unanimously agree that most bites can be prevented. Here are some ways to keep your children safe.

1. What to Expect When You're Expecting

New infants often take up all the available free time for both parents, so don't be surprised if your pet feels a bit jealous and "acts up."

There are several things you can do before your baby's birth to make the adjustment easier, especially if your pet has had little exposure to infants. Don't wait until after the baby arrives to work on obedience problems. Give your dog a refresher in obedience commands. If you've trained your dog properly, he has come to view you as his "pack leader." He should be able to reliably sit and stay in the presence of children.

Some parents-to-be practice "baby activities" with a doll, such as diapering and nursing. Introducing your pet to baby smells and sounds in advance is also a good idea.

Also consider having your dog or cat neutered. In my practice, I have found male dogs, especially unneutered males, to be responsible for the majority of bites to children.

2. Home at Last

When you come home from the hospital, first greet your pet without the baby. After your dog calms down, put him on a leash in a sit-stay. Allow your pet to briefly sniff the baby. When it is clear your dog is not going to act aggressively toward the baby, remove the leash. Don't be alarmed if your dog attempts to lick the baby. The dog is simply cleaning the baby as he would a puppy or picking up any morsels of food on the infant.

In general, cats will make every effort to avoid infants. It's surprising that the myth about cats' attempting to suck a baby's breath persists. It's simply not true. Cats do, however, enjoy curling up and sleeping inside cribs--empty or occupied. Use a motion detector to train your feline to stay away from the baby's sleeping area. A lavish dose of extra affection (and not just while the baby is asleep) can work wonders with a disgruntled feline.

One of the most effective transition aids is rewarding your pet with a delicious treat every time you begin to do something with the baby. In no time at all, your pet will look forward to seeing the baby. Given some time and patience, your pet will adjust to the new arrival.

3. A Note of Caution for New Parents

Ironically, while infants are rarely the victims of bites, they suffer a sizable proportion of the fatal attacks. These tragedies occur because the dog mistakes the tiny, crying youngster for prey. Any dog can make this horrible miscalculation, although evidence shows it is more likely in dogs with a previous history of predation. The simplest preventive measure: never, ever leave your baby alone with any dog.

Another important point, which cannot be over-emphasized, is to be certain your pet receives regular veterinary care. Annual vaccinations will prevent the transmission of diseases to your infant.

4. A Room of Their Own

Rambunctious and often unpredictable toddlers are the prime targets of animal aggression. Supervise all interactions between pet and child until you are sure both are safe. Dogs and cats react to unpredictable behavior with fear that can escalate to aggression. Give the pet a quiet resting place out of reach of your child. Use child safety gates if necessary. Instruct your toddler never to bother an animal when it is eating or sleeping. Teach the child to gently pet the dog or cat with an open hand and never to pull on the animal's hair. Don't allow the toddler to use the dog as a support as he learns to walk. And let the child know a cat's tender belly region is off-limits.

Do show your child how to groom the pet and how to properly feed him meals and treats. Allow dogs to clean up food that falls from the toddler's high chair. In short, make all of the interactions between child and pet as pleasant as possible.

5. Play by the Rules

Dogs and cats love to play just as much as children, but each has different playing styles. Young boys, for example, like to play ball; young dogs like to steal balls and play keep-away. Young dogs also like to jump and chew on arms, legs, and clothing. Although aggressive play is often accompanied by growling and barking, the dogs usually assume a bowing play posture and rarely break the skin with their bites. Encourage constructive games like fetch with a ball or Frisbee.