Teaching Children about Pet Safety and Pet Health | Veterinary Public Health

Children and Pets

A smiling girl lying on a bed next to a small dog

A smiling boy lying on a bed with a kitten

Many families in Los Angeles County and in the United States are comprised of children and pets together. It is very important to teach children how to safely interact with pets to avoid harmful bites or trauma. It is also important to consider the health of both the child and the pet as infants and children younger than 5 years old are more likely to get sick from the germs that animals may carry.

Promoting responsible pet ownership and treating pets with compassion are the foundations for a successful relationship between children and animals.

The resources below should be used to teach children how to safely interact with pets and how to properly care for a pet. Each presentation has speaker notes, in English and Spanish.

Presentations for Children (Grades K-2)

A woman and a boy holding a small white dog

How to Keep Your Pet Healthy

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Como Mantener Tus Mascotas Saludables En Casa

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

Vaccinations for Pets

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Vacunas para Mascotas

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

A child reaching toward a dog that is eating, while an adult stands nearby

Bite Prevention at Home

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Tu y Tu Mascota: Prevención de Mordeduras en Casa

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

A boy setting down a food bowl for a bulldog

Keeping Your Pet Fit: Food and Play

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Mantener a Tu Mascota en Forma: Comida y Juego

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

Presentations for Children (Grades 3-5)

A veterinarian examining an orange cat while a woman and child watch

Visiting the Veterinarian With Your Pet

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Visitando al Veterinario con tu Mascota

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

Bite Prevention in the Community

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Perros en la comunidad: ¿Qué debemos hacer para prevenir mordeduras?

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

A gray cat getting a vaccine from a veterinarian

Vaccination: Keeping Pets & People Healthy

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Vacunas: Manteniendo a la Gente y a las Mascotas Saludables

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

Keeping Your Pet Fit: Food & Play

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Mantener Tu Mascota en Forma: Comida Saludable y Ejercicio

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

A man carrying a dog through flood water

Emergency Preparedness & Pets

Presentation (PDF) | Speaker notes (PDF)

Preparación de Emergencia para Ti y Tus Mascotas

Presentación (PDF) | Notas del presentador (PDF)

Additional Resources

Bite Prevention

Don't Let the Dogs Bite: How to be Safe Around Dogs - Coloring & Activity Book - English (PDF) - California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
No Dejes Que Los Perros Te Muerdan: Cómo Sentirte Seguro Junto A Los Perros - Libro De Actividad Para Colorear (PDF) - CDPH
Free posters from Dr. Sophia Yin - CattleDog Publishing, including Body Language of Feline Anxiety, Body Language of Fear in Dogs, How to Greet a Dog, How Kids Should (and Should Not) Interact with Dogs, Canine Bite Levels, Dog Park Etiquette, and 7 Things All Dogs Need

Healthy Pets, Healthy People

People at Increased Risk for Illness from Animals, including Young Children - CDC
Healthy Habits Around Pets - CDC
Small Mammals, including Pet Rodents - CDC
Pet Reptiles and Amphibians - CDC
Tips for Staying Healthy at Animal Exhibits - CDC
Resources for Schools and Daycares - CDC

Pet Care

Vaccinations for Pets - Learn about why vaccinations are essential to your pet's health
Spay and Neuter for Pets - Learn about why spaying or neutering your pet is good for their health