How can we keep our baby safe around our pets?

Dana | Jan 05, 2010 | 0 | Posted in Recommend It!

Ask The Safety Guy
Karen from Morgan Hill asks:

How can we keep our baby safe around our pets?

You are right to worry that your baby and your pets may not always get along. Many pets do extremely well with small children, but even gentle pets can bite or scratch if provoked. The cry of a newborn can be enough to put some dogs on edge, and once your baby is old enough to grab tails and pull whiskers, anything can happen.

For the next few years, the best thing you can do is make sure your child is never alone with a pet. Let them get to know each other gradually under your close supervision. If you have a dog that's at all aggressive, look into putting him through obedience training. Many professional trainers offer specialized classes to teach dogs and even cats how to get along with young children. But if any pet continues to be a threat to your child, it's time to find him (your pet) a new home.

At the risk of alienating some pet owners, certain breeds of dogs should probably just not be allowed around small children at all, as numerous recent news stories will attest.

Having pets presents other, less obvious dangers to children. Your child could choke on pet food, and -- believe it or not -- the water dish is a drowning hazard (not to mention an annoying housekeeping issue). I frequently recommend that dog owners place their pet's food and water in the garage or outside (presuming it is safe for your pet), where their child can't get to it.

If you have an indoor cat or a small dog, a safety gate can be an effective way to separate your child from your pet's food, water, and, in the case of cats, the litter box. Look for a gate with openings wide enough for your pet to get through, yet narrow enough that your child can't become trapped or get through himself.   Alternatively, a long hook-and-eye type latch can be used to prop a guest or laundry room door open three or four inches.  Doing so will allow you to place a litter box or food and water in a separate area that your pet can readily access but your child cannot.

Finally, don't overlook the pet door, if you have one. A curious crawler could get outside very quickly or even get trapped. Use a safety gate to block your child's access to the pet door, or keep it locked for now.

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