There are numerous benefits in raising young children with a dog in the family, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. However, hundreds of thousands of children are bitten by dogs every year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.
1. Dogs are more than playmates for children. They help children develop self-esteem, compassion and empathy, decrease stress levels, and increase the amount of exercise children get. Moreover, having a pet dog may even reduce the incidence of respiratory infections.
2. Bites are a greater health problem for children than measles, mumps and pertussis (whooping cough) combined. Bites are also more common than injuries due to bike accidents or playground mishaps. Consider consulting a veterinarian before acquiring a dog. Some dogs are more child-friendly than others. Factors to be considered include the age, breed, and size of the dog, the age and temperament of the child, and whether there are allergies and immunodeficiency issues with children or other family members.
3. There are 50 to 60 million dogs in the US. More than one-third of households have dogs; many have more than one. About 4.2 million people of all ages are bitten yearly, with 800,000 requiring medical attention. While the vast majority of bites are minor and can be treated at home, it is important for parents to be able to recognize the occasional bites that require prompt visits to a medical facility.
4. Children are bitten more often than adults. Most commonly bitten are children between the ages of five and nine years; the most serious bites occur in infants. Most bites in children are inflicted by dogs known and liked by the children bitten. The majority of bites happen at home or at the home of a friend, and are inflicted by a dog with no history of aggressive behavior. And bites in children are twice as likely to require medical attention as those in adults. Because of their short size, children are more often bitten around the head and neck while adults tend to be bitten on the legs, causing less serious problems.
5. Most bites are provoked by children. A common scenario: toddlers meaning no harm rush up to dogs while making noises and flailing their arms, acts dogs interpret as threatening. Other scenarios: an older child or a group of children, also meaning no harm, rile up dogs “for the fun of it” and children accidentally step on or fall over dogs.
6. Never leave a child under five years of age alone with a dog. Young children don’t comprehend the difference between pulling the tail or hugging of stuffed animals versus real animals. Only after months of careful observation of how children and dogs interact can parents know if their children are ready to be left alone with dogs.
7. Children should approach dogs slowly and quietly. They should avoid eye contact, and stop every few steps to allow dogs to sniff and evaluate them.Children should not approach dogs that are feeding, sleeping, or showing signs of anger (growling, for example). They should ask owners before petting their dogs. When approached by an unfamiliar dog, children should stop, remain calm and quiet, and stand with the side of their body facing the dog. Facing dogs directly can appear aggressive. The dog may walk away. If not, children should walk away slowly and sideways.
8. Impress on children the importance of reporting bites and scratches inflicted by dogs — or other animals. Children may think that such injuries are too trivial to report, and most are. However, rarely such wounds can result in severe consequences.
9. Treat all animal-related wounds. This includes wounds inflicted by cats, squirrels, bats, skunks, and raccoons, to mention just a few. Wash wounds for several minutes with soap and water, apply an antibiotic ointment, and cover with a clean bandage. Consult an expert whether further treatment is necessary. Such experts can generally be found at large hospital-based ERs and local departments of health. They are familiar with the animal illnesses in specific neighborhoods and know if further treatments, anti-rabies vaccine most importantly, is indicated.
10. The necessity of giving anti-rabies vaccine depends on many factors. Nearly all cases of human rabies are fatal; there is no room for error. Fortunately, dog-transmitted rabies has virtually been eliminated in the US and other developed countries; nearly all dogs are immunized. Anti-rabies vaccine for humans is often not necessary. However, the vaccine is essential when the animal is unknown or the dog’s rabies vaccine status can’t be verified.
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