Carefully manage the introduction of kids to their new pets so that excited children don’t stress these new members of the household by approaching them too quickly and talking too loudly, causing them to react with fear and hostility.
A frightened new pet may scratch, bite, growl, or run away and hide.
Do your best to make sure the introduction goes well by setting some ground rules for the kids.
Prepare them for the variety of reactions they may encounter, and make sure they are ready to take the meet and greet slowly to ensure a happy outcome.
Learn the Best Way to Supervise the Important Meet and Greet
Check out some books from the library on the subject of children and pets and about the type of pet you want to welcome into your family. Make sure you know what to expect from the animal—whatever it is—before you bring it home.
Talk to other pet owners and get some advice from a veterinarian so that you are familiar with the characteristics of the particular pet or breed that you want to adopt.
If you learn that the animal you are considering may grow into an adult that is unsafe if left unsupervised around young children, re-think your plan and pick a more docile animal until your children are older and bigger.
Set the Pet-Care Rules Ahead of Time
Explain the rules of pet care before your children meet the new family member:
- Tell them that they can’t tug an animal’s tail, ears, fur or coat, or any part of the pet’s body. Demonstrate what you mean by gentle petting and have the kids practice on you and on themselves.
- Make sure they understand they can’t hug or wrestle with a pet, or bother or pet him when he is eating, sleeping, or using a litter box.
- Let them know that loud noises and screaming can frighten an animal. Have them practice calling and talking to you and each other using a soft voice. Explain that the animal won’t understand the words but will understand the tone of voice (demonstrate), and will soon learn to recognize his name.
- Explain that they can’t run to the pet or chase him, but they will be able to do that when the pet has been around for a while, is used to them, and knows they are playing and won’t hurt him.
Prepare Your Kids for the Meet and Greet
Let your children know ahead of time exactly what you will do to introduce the new pet and what they will be able to do if the animal doesn’t come to them:
- Let the new pet loose in the room and ask your children to watch him from the doorway for a while before anyone comes into the room. Explain that the pet needs to explore the room and feel safe before meeting the kids.
- Have the children enter the room one at a time and to sit down on the floor without reaching for the pet or calling to him.
- Tell the children that the pet will probably come over to inspect them and to let this happen and to let him walk away without anyone trying to hold him or pet him.
- If the pet doesn’t come near any of them, have each of them in turn slide a treat along the floor toward the pet and wait with another treat in case he decides to take one and come over for more.
- Have them hold out a toy attached with a string and gently wiggle it along the floor. The pet may decide to play with one of them.
- If the new pet is a dog and he won’t come near the children, have them quietly play a little game on the floor and ignore the dog and he may come over to see that they are doing.
- If the new pet is a cat, he may hide behind the sofa or under a chair when the children appear, but tell them to leave him alone and he will come out after a while.
- Remind your children to be patient while the new member of the household gets used to the house and the people in it, and he will, in time, trust them and will let them pet and play with him.
If you carefully manage the introduction of kids to new pets, they will soon become good friends.
Remind your children of the pet rules every day until you are sure they understand and will give the new member of the family the time he needs to be comfortable with his surroundings and with them.
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