Pets and Children...your take

Amie - posted on 11/16/2010

I think pets are a great thing.

We have 1 dog and 3 cats (4 including my brothers). I'm fine with our kids playing alone with the cats. The cats, well 2 are kittens still, have proven they can handle the kids and the kids have proven they can handle the cats. (in that they won't be rough with them) The cats hop beds at night, some nights with my husband and I, other nights with the kids, sometimes by themselves in the living room. The worst they do is scratch and even then they need to be severely annoyed and have no escape. They'd rather run and hide from the kids then attack them.

Our dog is another matter. She is great with our children, she lets our youngest (19 months) sit on her, ride her, push her around, choke hug her, put all of their hands in her mouth to take away toys she shouldn't have, etc.
However no matter how good she is with the children I will not leave her alone with them. I must be in the same room as they are, if she wanders off to follow them, I call her back if I'm not following. All it takes is once and she has the power behind her to do serious damage. She's a Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

To prove this point;
Our 3 year old, about a month or so ago, was playing with her right in front of me in our living room. I was sitting in the chair and they were on the floor. Our 3 year old got overly excited and got it into her head to bite our dogs ear. Sasha (our dog) yelped and turned around to BITE our daughter in the FACE. (this is Sasha's muzzle level to our daughter) If I had not been right there to tell Sasha to stop and to go lay down she would have done a lot of damage before I could have gotten to both of them. Our daughter got a serious talking to when that happened. I am the pack leader (in Kate's words) in our house.

No matter how well behaved and lovable an animal can be, no matter how well they are trained, no matter how much punishment they normally endure from children, there could always be that once that the unexpected happens and they revert to their animal instinct.

Having said all that, I still love our dog, so does my husband and our children. That one bad experience (which wasn't her fault, it was our daughters) is no reason for any of us to be normally worried about her. With proper supervision and care, she's a well loved and cherished member of the family.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

Jodi: Pretty spot on. When two pack members of equal ranking get into a scuffle they will usually look to the alpha for conflict resolution. A for example:
Two dogs see a toy and the alpha is laying quietly not paying attention but is present. One dog approaches the toy and grabs it and the other trots up and investigates. The original holder of the toy growls or bares his teeth. This gets the alpha's attention and he or she comes over to investigate. Usually at this juncture the toy will be dropped to allow the alpha to have the high-value item. If the alpha ISN'T present in this situation the conflict could easily (and quickly) escalate to an actual fight between the two pack members for the high-value item.

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

"Dog bites can happen at any time, so my presence wouldn't necessarily be protection though."

I think you will find that is the pack mentality that Kate is talking about. The presence of the pack leader (you) is probably going to be a deterrent to biting (going against the rules of behaviour set by the leader). That is why understanding the pack mentality can be such an important part of understanding, and therefore training, your dog :) I think I've explained that correctly!!

Johnny - posted on 11/16/2010

We've got 2 cats. One who is my daughter's pal and loves to snuggle with her and the other who only lets me pat and get near her. We've never allowed the cat's in our daughter's bed, but the one that just sticks with me sleeps at the foot of our bed sometimes. I've never been concerned about leaving my daughter alone in the room for a few moments with the cat that likes her. She generally just ignores him while he sleeps, and he has never bitten anything ever to my knowledge. The other cat would never stay alone with my daughter anyway, so it's not an issue.

We don't have a dog, but if I did, I would not allow it to sleep with her either and I would definitely want to have a strong sense of the dog before I left them alone together. Dog bites can happen at any time, so my presence wouldn't necessarily be protection though. I grew up with dogs, and have never been bitten. But then they were King Charles Cavaliers, not particularly known for their attack skills.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

Kate I am done debating this with you. You have your view which is fine I am not saying you are wrong. I have mine and I am not wrong either. Just a different way of doing things.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

"#1 I do not have more than 1 dog so we won't have pack mentality. "

You just proved my point.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

#1 I do not have more than 1 dog so we won't have pack mentality. #2 He is never truly ALONE with them my whole house is 1 floor and 600' I have a kitchen, living room and 2 bedrooms. I can see every room from the kitchen and the livingroom. The daycare kids are only ever in the livingroom or my youngest son's room. If that is ALONE with them then we have different concepts of alone.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

*bangs head on desk* You have no concept of dog behavior or pack mentality. If you did you would see how out and out dangerous it is to leave a small child alone with a dog.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

As I said you have to know your animals I have had more cats then I can ever count and 8 dogs. I really know which ones would be fine and there are certainly a few that I wouldn't be so lazadazacal with. Also the rules change a bit once they begin to age as far as an elderly pet as well.



By the way I am not saying lock your children in a room with your animals and hope for the best. I have done a lot of monitoring before I trusted my dog. I saw how he reacted to a screaming baby, his feet stepped on, his ears and tails pulled. Loud noises, how he handled if he was startled, if he had any food, toy or treat aggressions. I had to be very cautious because of the little ones in my care. I know now that I have no worries but I also make sure the kids are kind. I also rescued Jake at 5mo's old we were is 5th owner by that time. All he wants is to be loved and showed as much love as possible. He had so little of it as a young puppy that we and the kids are his entire world and he has never ever given me cause for concern. We have really made a concerted effort to really socialize him and make sure he was ready for this home.

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

Eh, Sherri, my mother didn't used to put me in a car seat either (because they practically didn't exist) and I'm perfectly fine too. Doesn't mean I shouldn't take the safety precautions available to me with my children.

I actually grew up with many animals, both traditional domestic animals AND animals from the wild that were domesticated from young, and one thing I learned is that no matter the temperament of the animal, there are always exceptions, and you should always be vigilant when it comes to young children.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

When people take pet and child interaction so lightly is when an animal hurts a child (sometimes seriously) and then the animal ends up being put to sleep.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

Guess I would have worried more if I didn't know the tempearment of my cats. Till my first two cats passed away not once in there whole lives did they scratch or bite anyone. Now my two cats now I probably wouldn't allow it they are great cats but not as laid back as my first two were.



Eh Jodi I just never worried about it. My two oldest are now 13 and 12 and they are perfectly fine.

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

Sherri, thank you for that link. I am aware that babies and cats can co-exist, as can babies and dogs.



However, are you aware that it also says on that link "However, it is wise to take some precautions. You can purchase a net to put over the crib so the cat can't sleep with the baby."

It also says "NEVER leave a baby or young child alone with any pet, cat included.".

And " A cat should never be permitted into the same room a baby/young child is sleeping & proper safety precautions should be taken to ensure the cat doesn't have access to the baby's room."



So which research did you do again?

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

When have I heard of a cat doing something to a baby? My mom's cat bit MY baby and I was standing RIGHT THERE. My friend's cat scratched the baby. It happens all the time. And cat bites are horrid.

Sapphire - posted on 11/16/2010

When my son was born, we already had our 2 cats. I was worried about their reactions to the baby. But to my surprise, as soon as the curiosity stage was over both cats wanted nothing to do with my son. Every now and then I caught my calico curled up in the baby swing or the bouncer when my son wasn't in them. Once or twice I caught her in the co-sleeper. That was really it-cat curiosity and nothing else. Then when my son was 18 months, a 6 month lab mutt wandered onto our property. Love at first sight, no one at pet control claimed him. So Matthew has been raised with Hercules. Both hubby & I grew up with labs/lab mixes so we knew what to expect as far as a family dog. Hercules is an epilectic so his illness has even taugh tmy son about pills, safety with meds, and what to do in case of a seizure. Sadly, hercules has very violent cluster seizures and my son is not afraid to witness it.
Regarding the dogbite-hubby is a letter carrier and he was bit awhile back by a big bull mastiff mix. Day in, day out her delivered mail, but this time the dog got him. it could have been a child.

Stifler's - posted on 11/16/2010

They have cat germs. Cat shit left on their butts can cause babies to get ill. They can eat their hair. Gross.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

Yes Jodi I did. They just slept at the bottom of the crib. When have you ever heard of a cat doing something to a baby?? Other than wives tales.

http://www.cat-world.com.au/cats-a-babie...
People still believe the old wives tales about babies being smothered by cats. From research I did on the internet I found out that this is in fact totally untrue. There are cases of parents accidentally smothering their baby, but there are no reported cases of cats doing this (either on purpose or by accident). What has been suggested is that some babies die of SIDS & it so happens that the cat is found in the crib with the dead child. This is merely a coincidence. The cat was NOT the cause of the child's death.

Anika - posted on 11/16/2010

I have to agree with Kate on this one. I love my pets. Love them a lot. But they are animals. They can not be trusted. And that's not my individual animals. That's ALL ANIMALS. My dog is very good with my daughter, is very calm, but if she hit him or pulled his fur, who would blame him for getting upset. Once she came VERY close to pulling his penis when we were rubbing his belly. What male would not snap if his happy bits were grabbed? Shit happens. It's just not worth the risk and I do that just as much for my animals sake as my daughter's

Stifler's - posted on 11/16/2010

I don't like animals that much either Joy.

Jenn - posted on 11/16/2010

I have no pets and have no desire too. Poop, chewed up stuff, scratched walls and furniture, carpet stains, fur everywhere. No thanks. My kids do all of that for me minus the fur ;)

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

And I wouldn't say dog bites aren't common.....
http://www.dogsbite.org/bite-study-nonfa...

Admittedly, that is an old study, but second highest activity to send children to the emergency room. So, no, not all that common at all.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

My dogs ARE an integrated part of my family. But you know what...THEY ARE DOGS. They have sharp teeth and claws and they can't talk. When my daughter does something they don't like they will do EVERYTHING they can *before* biting or clawing to get away or get the message across that they didn't like it. However, sometimes things escalate too fast. And to think that dog bites are infrequent is absolutely ludicrous. Just because it hasn't happened YET doesn't mean it won't happen. I've been doing dog training and behavior consultation for over 12 years and in that amount of time I have N E V E R thought it was a good idea to leave a child and a dog alone together. I don't care how mild mannered or well adjusted a dog is. That doesn't account for the child's actions. A dog is an animal and they WILL protect themselves from any perceived threat-including small children.

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

There is a big difference between integrating a dog as part of the family and leaving a dog alone with a young child.......one can be done sensibly, the other is irresponsible. Just my opinion.

Krista - posted on 11/16/2010

If you do not make your dog a integrated part of your family then you shouldn't have them.

My land, but you ARE judgmental, aren't you? Heaven forbid that anybody have a different philosophy on dogs and kids, or they just shouldn't have dogs, in your viewpoint.

You DO realize that dogs are not people, and that their psychology is not the same as a human being's, right? You can absolutely integrate a dog as a part of your family, while still recognizing the fact that it is still an animal and hence, has certain instincts and impulses that must be kept in mind.

Krista - posted on 11/16/2010

Yeah, my daycare provider has two cats, and they're both very trustworthy, but she never leaves them alone with the kids. And if she had a big dog and left the dog unattended with the kids, I would absolutely haul my child out of there. The most mild-mannered, well-trained animal could have an unseen illness or injury that could render him unexpectedly snappy if provoked. And a child is completely unable to defend himself against this.

Jodi - posted on 11/16/2010

@ Sherri

You seriously let your cats sleep in the crib when your kids were babies?????

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

Every parent is well aware they are perfectly fine with it. :) He meets every parent at the door. They are all dog lovers and owners too. Actually one of the parents has 3 dogs, their dogs are always with the kids too. The 5 & 6 yr olds even take my boxer to go outside to play. Trust me every parent is well aware I have a dog I do not separate him even when I am interviewing new kids. Actually no parent even knocks they just walk right in Jake greets them at the door with kisses. This is his house he has free reign and everyone knows that.



Dog bites are far less frequent then common place. You have to know your animal. I was brought up with dogs my entire life. I was never protected from my dogs actually one of my dogs when I was kid used to sneak up to the neighbors with me because she knew if she came she would get cookies and milk too (I was 3) and when my mom caught us we would both be put in the corner. I have had 8 dogs between my childhood and now. Most where German Shepards one of the most loyal family dogs known to man. If you do not make your dog a integrated part of your family then you shouldn't have them.

Joy - posted on 11/16/2010

I think as long as people are responsible parents and responsible pet owners, pets and children are great together. Obviously, you have to be an animal lover though. I'm not. That sounds bad, I know. "Ooohhhh, she hates animals! That's HORRIBLE!" I don't hate animals. I just don't care for owning them. I've always had cats. Before my son was born, I was definitely a cat lover. When he was born I had 4 furballs in my home. For me personally, my whole perspective on owning cats changed after I had Jacob. Last year I had to have my two oldest kitties put to sleep because they were old and had basically zero quality of life. They were in pain constantly. Once the two I have now are gone, I don't see myself getting any more, but I'd be more likely to get another cat than to get a dog. I've never owned a dog in my life. My husband wants a dog and we have the discussion all the time about getting one. He researches and shows me websites about different breeds and every time he brings it up, a switch in me turns OFF. I don't want a dog. Period. No offense to all you dog lovers out there but I just don't care for dogs. I like some dogs, like labs and golden retrievers, the types of dogs that lay at your feet and just chill....when they belong to someone else lol Dogs need people too much and I would see a dog in my home as just something (someone) else to clean up after and care for. Uh uh. Nope. Maybe when my son is a teenager and responsible enough to be solely responsible for caring for the dog....maybe. I'm hoping he is a cat person. Like Ralphie Mae says, "Cats don't need you. All they need you to do is to keep the food and water bowls full, scoop the box and scratch that spot down by their tail."

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

If you were to care for my child and I found out you were leaving her unattended with any animals I would be LIVID. I have seen the damage "just a few seconds" can do.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

Trust me every child in my care is very safe.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

An animal is an animal. Period. End of story. They will defend themselves with teeth and claws. What they perceive as a threat may be completely benign to you or I. It is unwise and unsafe to leave a child unattended with an animal.

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

You have to know your animal period. I used to let me cats sleep in my kids cribs. I leave my boxer with the kids I watch. I never have separated him. Actually he even naps with the daycare kids. Even the daycare parents love him. He watches over them and keeps them safe. Those are his kids or least he thinks they are his.

Kate CP - posted on 11/16/2010

I have no problem with pets and kids. I have two dogs, I do foster work, and I train dogs. However, leaving a dog and a child alone for any amount of time is a recipe for disaster and some one (animal or human) will wind up hurt or dead.

Stifler's - posted on 11/16/2010

I don't have any pets. I wouldn't have any until my kids are old enough to feed themselves so I don't have to look after 2 kids and a dog. I'd come at getting a fish but that's about it. I don't like animal hair around crawling babies.

Jennifer - posted on 11/16/2010

Pets are great for children but around babies you have to be very vigilant at all times especially with cats who favour warm, cosy moses baskets! We have a cat called Archie and he's a big softy! Logan our son who's 11 months old just strokes him randomly!

Anika - posted on 11/16/2010

We have 2 cats and 1 Jack Russell and we're also currently looking after my MIL's dog. I love them to pieces, they are my fur babies BUT they have been very trying lately and lets just say its damn lucky they're so bloody cute. MIL's dog is just a gormless idiot and I can't wait for her to be gone. Our dog is Houdini reincarnated and keeps escaping. He's now on strick lock up outside or house arrest inside. One cat keeping peeing inside and I swear its just to fuck with me. But I love them. And, mini rant aside, my daughter LOVES them. Her little face lights up when she sees or hears them. One of her first words was "Dog" and she says "Fffff" for woof. Their fur everywhere is annoying and I will never trust them completely around her, but I think children should have pets. They learn so much from them.

LaCi - posted on 11/16/2010

I'm not interested in a pet right now because I'm not at all interested in pet hair. Other than that, I'd love to have animals. The more the merrier. Nico loves animals. Animals love nico. I just don't want to deal with the mess right now.

Julie - posted on 11/16/2010

We have 2 dogs and 2 cats, so I agree with pets and babies. I do not, however, agree with them being left alone together until the child(ren) is(are) old enough to behave properly. NO pet is EVER 100% predictable. EVER. EVER. Neither are children, that's why it is our job to be safe!

Sherri - posted on 11/16/2010

I think pets are such an amazing part of a family with children. We currently have 2 cats and a boxer.



Our boxer is amazing with the kids and he has to be very tolerant as I do in home daycare with babies, toddlers and older kids. So he constantly has kids pulling his ears, tail, rolling on him. He is magnificent.

Good Day! - posted on 11/16/2010

We don't have pets, but not because of the kid. I have no problem with her playing with and petting friendly dogs, cats, or other animals. We don't have pets because I don't want to care for them, spend money on them, or clean up behind them. We MIGHT get one in the future IF my kids want one and IF they can care for it. My husband wants chickens, but that's a whole different ball game. They are kind of like a hobby for him. Plus they make great fertilizer and produce eggs.

Minnie - posted on 11/16/2010

We can't live without animals. I agree with Sharon. I've had loads for as long as I remember.

Right now we have two siamese cats and a red devil.

It depends on the pet and the child like others have said. Our cats are amazing. Probably the most tolerant creatures I have ever met. They put up with all sorts of atrocities.

Teresa - posted on 11/16/2010

We got a cat about a month after we got married. He was our 'baby' until the girls came. When they were first born he wouldn't be in the same room w/ them. He got used to them a bit and then would only leave the room if one of them started crying. ;) I actually have a few seconds of video of one of the girls at around 5 months sleeping on my bed w/ the cat sleeping about 6 inches away from her.... and they looked the same size. :) Depending on the pet.... pets and babies are a fine combo.

Toni - posted on 11/16/2010

I had 2 cats before my son, a ginger tom cat named Charlie and a male Maine Coon cross named Vinnie which was a massive cat and had an appetite to match.

After my son was born we decided I wasn't going to return to work and was going to become a SAHM so because the cats ate a lot of food and cost a lot of money which we couldn't really afford we decided to have them adopted by a friend of the family who lives on a beautiful small farm in the countryside. They both settled in really well and have flourished, chasing mice and having so much more freedom than we could ever give them. I was really sad but am really pleased we made the choice we did it worked out brill for all of us.

For us, I think our family dynamic works better without pets, although I won't rule out a fish in the future when my son really wants something.

Krista - posted on 11/16/2010

I think that pets and kids can work together well, if the adults are aware of the fact that toddlers aren't always gentle with pets, and that pets, even if beautifully-trained, are still animals, not people.

We definitely intend on getting a dog, but we're waiting until our kid(s) are old enough to be taught how to behave properly around an animal, and we'll definitely be doing our homework with regards to how to make an animal comfortable and secure with kids around.

Desiree - posted on 11/16/2010

Both go together like pizza and cheese, you can't have one without the other. I personally have 2 kids, 4 dogs. 6 cats and 2 hamsters. The great thing is I never have left overs because either the children or the dogs eat them. And my home id never boring,

Eliz - posted on 11/12/2010

Every family is different and each should decide what kind of pets would suit them best. Its important to take into concideration you financial situation, allergies, and how well certain pets interact with children. Right now we have 3 dogs in our home. It's getting a bit dog cramped in my house lol but we are able to care for them all and they are good with our children.

Sharon - posted on 11/12/2010

Here - they are "the more merrier" situation.

We have a farm situation. Ducks, geese, chickens all raised for eggs.

We have pet cats, dogs, rabbits, parrots, fish & other tank denizens.

When my kids were young I NEVER left the babies or toddlers alone with the dogs.

I feel badly for any child growing up without a pet.

Morgan - posted on 11/12/2010

I think pets and babies are great, I was having problems with my cat and now shes great with my daughter, our dog a golden retriever is great with her to but pets are animals and even the most trusted pets can turn on us or our kids in the blink of an eye, so as much as I love my cat and my dog they are NEVER even for a second left alone with my daughter :)