Choosing the Right Pet
for Your Family
Lots of families wonder if they should get a pet and what kind…some people have a pet and need to know how to introduce a baby to the family dog or cat. And then lots of us have pet issues relating our kids and animals interacting. We’re going to talk about all those issues today with a pet and family expert.
According to the Humane Society of the US:
-children raised with animals have stronger immune systems
-they are better socialized and more empathetic
-animals stimulate compassion and good behavior
-animals are great stress relievers which helps the immune system
-children’s bodies learn to fend off the animals allergens
But it’s also important to have realistic expectations:
-pets are expensive and a lot of work – work that usually falls to the parents
-don’t get your child a pet to teach them responsibility
-it’s unrealistic to expect a child to be completely responsible for a pet
-teach by example
-let them help with small tasks like measuring out the food
Todays' Guest
There are hundreds of questions families have about pets so we’ve asked pet expert, Jennifer Shyrock to join us today to help educate all of us about bringing a pet into our homes and lives. Jennifer is a Certified dog behavior consultant & Dog and child relationship expert. She is also the resident “pet expert” on Club Mom.com. Her webite, www.familypaws.com is a wealth of information for families interested in pets.
QUESTIONS WE'LL DISCUSS TODAY:
How does a family know when they are ready for a pet?
How can a family evaluate what TYPE of pet is right for them?
Is it a bad idea to give a pet as a present?
What are some important safety tips to give your kids regarding pets?
Let's talk about reading a dog’s body language.
Dogs are known for being intuitive, and having an incredibly powerful sense of smell – and some pregnant women say that they think their dog “knows” they’re pregnant. Is that possible?
What’s the best way to introduce a dog to a baby?
Lots of families want to get a puppy when they think about getting a pet, but puppies are a lot of work and there are thousands of adult dogs out there who need to be adopted – talk about adopting a puppy vs. an adult dog.
You talk about “family harmony” on your website. What are the keys to “family harmony” between humans and pets?
Should all cats live indoors?
Should you have your cat declawed if you have kids?
Lots of families are choosing alternative pets, like lizards, hamsters, turtles, hermit crabs – what are some good dog and cat alternatives for pets?
And, from our friends at
Parenting Magazine...
Kids and Pets: A Safety Guide
Ways to protect your child and your animal from each other
Kids and pets are a natural match. After all, what's cuter than a preschooler cuddling a puppy or a toddler's face lighting up in front of a fish tank?
Children's animal attraction is so strong, in fact, that often a baby's first word is the name of her pet.
Aside from adding fun to your family, animals also teach kids about nurturing, companionship, responsibility, and even life and death.
As a mom, you want your child to reap the benefits of raising an animal without any of the problems.
The first step: Make sure each of them is safe with the other. Here's how.
Dogs
Every year about 400,000 kids need medical help for dog bites, and about 80 percent of canine bites are from animals that children know well.
"Dogs may bite because they're frightened — especially if they're being teased — or because they're protecting their bed, a toy, or their food," says Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Humane Society of the United States.
• Teach your child to "be a tree" — to stand still with her hands at her sides and let a dog she doesn't know sniff her. Explain that if she runs away, the dog may think she's playing and chase her. Tell her to curl up into a ball to protect her face and hands if a dog knocks her down.
• Enroll your dog in an obedience class (you can do it as early as 12 weeks), so he learns not to jump on people and to follow some simple commands, which can help keep him under control around kids.
• Use baby gates to keep your dog in a room away from your child when necessary. A crate, which provides a safe haven for him and protection for your child, can be a very good idea.
• Teach your child to avoid dogs that are growling, baring their teeth, or whose fur is standing on end.
• Instruct her never to stare into a dog's eyes, which can antagonize it.
• Show her how to stroke a pup's back and sides, instead of reaching over his head.
• Never play tug-of-war or wrestle with a dog; roughhousing can trigger a bite.
• To prevent diseases caused by parasites: Leave poop scooping to adults, and bring your pooch for regular veterinary checkups.
• Have your dog spayed or neutered (at around 5 months), which can calm him.
Cats
"Unlike dogs, cats typically run away when bothered by a child.
A cat will rarely chase anyone who runs away from it," says Shain.
"But if a child chases a cat or corners it, the animal may lash out.
Your child should learn to just let it go."
• Teach your child that if a kitty flips its tail back and forth quickly, it's more likely to scratch or bite, so avoid it.
• If your child is scratched or bitten by a cat, wash the area well with soap and water, and rinse for at least 30 seconds. If the bite punctured the skin, call your doctor. After a scratch, watch for swollen glands or lingering tenderness at the site over the next two weeks — signs that your child may need antibiotics.
• If your cat tends to scratch people, ask your vet about declawing — but only as a last resort.
• Keep your cat indoors to minimize exposure to ticks and fleas and to keep her safe.
• Teach your child not to pick up a cat, but just to pet it gently on the back or behind its ears, and never to bother one that's sleeping or eating.
• Don't let your child handle the litter box.
If you're pregnant...
Avoid contact with cats because they can cause toxoplasmosis, a disease that may increase the risk of miscarriage or fetal deformities. To reduce your risk:
• Keep your cat indoors where he's less likely to hunt mice or other small animals. (Cats get the parasite from eating raw meat.)
• Feed your feline only commercial cat food — never undercooked meat.
• Have your spouse clean the litter box daily. If you have to do it yourself, wear rubber gloves and wash both your hands and the gloves thoroughly when finished.
• Avoid stray or outdoor cats; you don't know what they may be carrying.
