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Are Some Pets Dangerous?

Although the animals your child sees in the woods or parks may be cute to look at, they can be dangerous as pets — they aren’t used to being around people and may carry diseases that can be transmitted to your child. People mistakenly believe they can tame a wild animal. Instead, you should teach kids to stay away from animals in the wild, and never to touch, feed, or try to take an animal home.

And just because you can buy a pet from the pet store doesn’t mean it’s safe for homes with kids. Animals that may not be child-safe include:

• reptiles (turtles, snakes, lizards, iguanas)
• rodents (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, mice, rats)
• amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders)
• ferrets
• baby poultry (chicks, ducklings, goslings, turkeys)
• monkeys
• exotic animals

Reptiles transmit salmonella, a kind of bacteria, through their feces. The salmonella bacteria are transmitted through direct contact with reptiles or by touching surfaces and people who have had contact with reptiles. Pet reptiles are an especially bad idea if anyone in your house, such as infants and elderly people, faces greater health risks from a salmonella infection.

Dogs and cats can also spread infections. For example, pets that are often outdoors easily pick up ticks, which can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. This shouldn’t stop you from owning a dog or cat, though. Using effective preventative tick treatments and collars can help decrease the number of ticks that find your pet. If you live in a wooded area, check your pets regularly for ticks.

Pay attention to which dogs aren’t recommended for first-time owners. For example, some larger breeds, such as Doberman Pinschers, Dalmatians, and Great Danes, may not be kid-safe because they can grow to be more than 50 pounds. Also, bites from very large dogs can do a lot more damage than those from smaller dogs. And, of course, avoid choosing a dog that’s been specifically bred to be an aggressive fighter (such as some Pit Bulls or Rottweilers).