Staying Safe Around Animals

Animals can be great fun, but it's important to know how to be safe when you're with them. Here’s how.

How Can I Stay Safe Around Animals When Outdoors?

Stepping outside can mean a world full of great animals to see — from squirrels in trees to bunnies hopping in parks. 

But when you’re in the great outdoors, always remember: Don't touch or go near a wild animal. Some might look cuddly or cute, but leave them alone. They’re not like regular pets and are not used to being around people. So they might bite or attack if you come near them. They also might have germs that could make you sick.

Don't ever try to feed a wild animal. Bird feeders are OK, but other animals, even if they look hungry, shouldn't be fed.

At a farm or zoo, follow the directions of the adults in charge. With their help, you may be allowed to get close to or even touch some of the animals.

How Can I Stay Safe Around Pets?

Pets can't tell you if they're upset or scared, so they show you. They might do this by biting or scratching.

Here are things to know:

• Never bother a pet when it's eating or pull its food or water away.
• Don't tease a dog or cat or pull its tail or ears.
• Never bother a pet when it's sleeping.
• Don't take a toy or bone away from a cat or dog or hold it out of reach of the animal.
• Never try to get near a pet with its babies (like a cat with kittens or a dog with puppies). Animal mothers are very protective and will bite to keep you away.

It’s also important to know how to handle pets:

• When lifting a small animal (including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, or gerbils), do it slowly and carefully. Use two hands. Support their chest and belly with one and their hind end with the other.
• Never pick up or hold any animal by its ears.
• When taking an iguana, lizard, snake, or other reptile from its tank, do it slowly and carefully. Then wash your hands right away because reptiles can carry bacteria like Salmonella on their skin.
• Don’t put your bare hand into a fish tank — fish don’t like being handled. Instead, enjoy watching them through the glass bowl or tank.

If you’re in someone else’s home or you see somebody walking their dog, always ask if it's OK to touch their pet. If they say it’s OK, move slowly and be sure to let the animal sniff your hands first.

What if I See a Stray or Lost Animal?

If you see a dog out loose without its owner:

• Don’t touch the dog, even if it seems friendly.
• Don’t look into the dog’s eyes. Instead, look away.
• Stay calm. Don’t run, wave your arms, or make a lot of noise. Instead, look away from the dog and walk away very slowly.
• If a strange dog approaches you, stand very still, cross your arms across your chest and look at the ground. If the dog tries to sniff you, let it sniff — this is its way of checking you out. Often the dog will become bored and walk away.
• After the dog leaves, tell an adult. They can help get the dog back to its owner.

What about cats, also known as felines (say: FEE-lines)? Most kids aren't as scared of strange cats as they are of strange dogs, but it's still a good idea to stay away from cats you don't know. Never pet or touch a strange cat, even if it seems friendly.

What Else Should I Know?

• If a pet looks sick or is injured, stay far away. An animal that normally loves to be petted and played with may get very upset and even bite when it is feeling ill. Tell an adult so they can get help for the animal.
• Always wash your hands after petting or handling a pet to clean off any germs you may have picked up.