If you have a pet, you know how much fun it can be: watching
little fish swim in a tank, seeing a dog catch a ball in its mouth,
petting the pebbly, cold surface of a lizard's back, or
designing a fancy maze for a hamster. Kids who like the outdoors
can tell you how exciting it is to spot their favorite birds - and
how stinky it can be when they get a sniff of their local
skunk.
Animals can be great fun, but it's important to know how to
be safe when you're with them. Both indoor animals and outdoor
animals need to be treated kindly all the time. This means
different things depending on the animal and the situation. With a
wild animal, being kind may mean staying far away so the animal
doesn't feel threatened and so you stay safe.
The Great Outdoors
Stepping outside can mean a world full of great animals to see -
from squirrels in trees to birds in flight. In some parts of the
world, kids may see slithery snakes, black bats, or even cool
coyotes. And don't forget raccoons, skunks, and other critters
that come out in some places at night.
The rule in the great outdoors is simple:
Don't touch or go near an animal.
Although some of these animals may look cool or even cute, leave
them alone. These animals aren't like regular pets. They're
not used to being around people and may bite or attack if you come
near them. They also might have
rabies
.
Don't
ever
try to feed a wild animal. Bird feeders are OK, but other animals,
even if they look hungry, shouldn't ever be fed. When it comes
to these animals, it's better for everyone if you stay away and
check them out at the zoo, on the Internet, on TV nature shows, or
in books.
Playing Safely With Pets
Pets can't tell you if they're upset or scared, so they
show you. They might do this by biting or scratching. To avoid
bites and scratches:
- Never bother a pet when it's eating or pull its food or
water away.
- Don't tease a dog or cat or pull its tail or ears.
- Never bother a pet when it's sleeping.
- Don't take a toy or bone away from a cat or dog or hold
it out of reach of the animal.
- Never try to get near a pet with its babies (like a cat with
kittens or a dog with puppies). Animal mothers are
very
protective and will bite to keep you away.
- When lifting a rabbit, hamster, guinea pig, or gerbil from
its cage, do it
slowly.
Be sure to hold the animal underneath its belly.
- Never pick up or hold a rabbit by its ears.
- When pulling an iguana, lizard, snake, or other reptile from
its tank, do it slowly and carefully. Then wash your hands right
away because reptiles can carry
bacteria
like
Salmonella
on their skin.
- Never stick your hand into a fish tank - most fish can't
hurt you. But a few types of fish can and do sting if they get
upset. The water also contains germs that could cause a skin
infection.
- If a pet looks sick or is injured, stay far away. An animal
that normally loves to be petted and play may get very upset and
even bite when it is feeling ill. Tell an adult so he or she can
get help for the animal.
When you're at a friend's home, the same rules apply -
plus one more.
Always
ask your friend if it's OK to pet or hold his or her pet. If
your friend says OK, move slowly and be sure to let the animal
sniff your hands first.
Woof! Woof! Safety Around a Strange Dog
Coming home from school and hoping you won't see the dog who
always barks like crazy and runs around? You're not the only
one. Kids often get
scared of a dog
they don't know, especially if that dog is loud and doesn't
have an owner nearby. To keep your cool around canines:
-
Never
pet or touch a strange dog, even if it runs up to you and seems
like it might be friendly.
- If a dog starts running toward you,
don't
run. Running away can make the dog want to chase after you - even
if it doesn't want to hurt you, its instincts will tell it to
chase.
- If a strange dog approaches you, try to stand very still.
This may be scary for a minute or two, but often the dog will
become bored and walk away. If the dog tries to sniff you, let it
sniff - this is its way of checking you out.
- Walk away from a strange dog very slowly. Don't wave your
arms around or make a lot of noise because these actions will
only excite the dog. Look straight ahead and not into the
dog's eyes.
- If you are very afraid of a strange dog or a strange dog
tries to bite or attack you, tell an adult as soon as possible.
He or she can find the dog's owner.
A final word on
felines
(say:
fee
-lynes), also known as cats: Although most kids aren't as
scared of strange cats as they are of strange dogs, it's still
a good idea to stay away from cats you don't know.
Never
pet or touch a strange cat, even if it seems friendly.
Save your love for your own dogs and cats. You know they'll
love you back!
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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