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Most kids love to have a pet but not all animals are suitable for families.
My children would like to have a pet. What should we know before bringing one into our family?
Pets can provide us with a lot of joy and some studies suggest that they may even improve our health as well as teach kids certain values and social skills. But not all animals are family friendly as they may carry diseases or be dangerous for young children.
For example:
- Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards and snakes, often carry Salmonella bacteria (germs) that can be very hard to kill. Children and adults should always wash their hands after handling a reptile.
- Exotic animals, such as hedgehogs or monkeys are not good pets for children. They can be dangerous or they may need special care that young children cannot provide.
- Any dog may bite from time to time, but some are not as suitable for homes with small children. It’s best to check with a reputable breeder and do some research before you choose a dog for your family.
- Wild animals should not be kept as pets.
Like people, all animals carry germs but it is quite unlikely that you will get a disease from an animal in Canada. Many of the parasites and bugs that spread disease can’t live in the Canadian climate.
Diseases that don’t normally spread from pets to people include: cat leukemia; cat immunodeficiency (sometimes called feline AIDS); distemper; heartworms; hookworms (animal); parvovirus; pinworms; systemic fungal infections; Lyme disease. We also don’t catch colds or the flu from most pets.
The best way to avoid catching a disease from your pet is to:
- Make sure your pet is healthy and goes to the vet regularly.
- Keep a close watch on your pet’s contact with other animals.
- Always wash your hands after handling pets and clean up carefully after your pets.
Some diseases that can spread from animals to people include toxoplasmosis (which is particularly harmful for pregnant women), rabies (which can cause death if not treated) and salmonella (which can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting). Most diseases spread from pets to people through biting, scratching or direct contact.
When a pet scratches you, clean the area right away. Cat bites can be deep but may not look serious because they pierce only a small area. But germs from the cat’s mouth can get into your skin and cause infection. For a cat bite, you may need antibiotics. Dog bites may look worse, but they’re usually less serious and don’t require antibiotics as often. If you are bitten, clean the wound right away with soap and water, and ask your doctor about the risk of infection.
If an animal bite breaks the skin, call your local CLSC if:
- The animal is not yours
- The bite is on the head or neck
- The wound is serious
- You didn’t do anything to cause the animal to bite you
- The animal is not acting normally
- The animal seems sick
You should talk to a doctor or someone from your local public health office if you or your child is bitten by a wild animal or one that lives on a farm.
Dr. Denis Leduc is a general pediatrician in the Montreal area. He is a Past President of the Canadian Pediatric Society.
For more information on your child’s growth and development, get answers from Canada’s pediatric experts www.caringforkids.cps.ca or www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca.
