Pet dogs near young babies

[kwicky]

Besides the faeces issue is it safe to leave a young child near your pet dog which has the habit of licking other members of the family?

[B00]

Now I could be totally wrong here.........but....I was always lead to believe that apart from the faecal issue you've already mentioned, a dog tongues was incredibly clean. So if my belief is correct there's nothing hygienically wrong with allowing your dog to lick a babies face.

Saying that though I wouldn't like my dog to be constantly fussing and licking my child's face.

[kita1]

From a safety point of view licking any part of a young child is bringing the dogs teeth too close to the child for my liking.

It would be so easy for the dog to be panicked and nip the child. I don't care how 'good' the dog is or how well trained, young children (and babies) make sudden movements and noise and most dogs would respond with a nip.

I would not trust any young child near an animal that is not around children all the time, the child can stumble and fall on the dog and get badly bitten, then you end up with a scarred child and a dead dog. It has happened!

Young children and animals do not mix, children are clumsy at the best of times and even the most patient animal has its limits.

[lankeela]

Agree with kita, don't take any chances that the child might do something to make the dog nip out of self defence or fear. Make sure they are supervised at all times.

Being licked by a dog has not hurt millions of dog owners who have been brought up with dogs.

Make sure the dog has been wormed, as even licking could pass on worms to the child (or adult!) if the dog has been licking itself.

[kwicky]

When a child goes to the toilet we scold it for not washing its hands Where does that leave a dog? I have actually seen excrement hanging from a dog's back passage after having partially relieving itself.

[RATTER15]

Exactly Kwicky, it gets rid of this by licking, so letting it lick a babies face, not a good idea!!

[lankeela]

Dog excrement is only recycled food! As I said before, make sure they are wormed and you should have no problems.

[RATTER15]

Lankeela, define recycled please, I see it as a waste product, not sure about recycled though!! and are you saying that dog faeces is harmless from a dog that has been wormed.

I'm not saying you are wrong, as a dog owner for all of my life I would be interested to know.

[lankeela]

Although I would not recommend eating it, provided the dog has been wormed, I can see no problem with dog faeces.

The same as human excrement, how many children have eaten some at some time in their lives?

Carry that thought with you for the rest of the day. and enjoy your meals!

[lankeela]

Another thought on the matter, dogs often eat their own (or other dogs') poo and they don't suffer any ill effects, do they?

[RATTER15]

I suppose its ok as long as you catch it whilst it is still fresh and warm, before the flies etc get to it, millions of people have died through ingesting faeces infested water supplies, I imagine that is due to it being past its prime, short shelf life I suppose!!

[lankeela]

Also it is probably already riddled with disease when it leaves the body and as you say is not exactly fresh and hygienic by the time the flies have had their fill.

[risso0529]

Obviously I wouldt reccomend letting your dog lick a childs face as dogs and cats mouths do harbour a lot of germs. However I would say, having been brought up with lots and lots and I mean lots of pets including dogs (we had 12 at one point), cats, horses, llamas, chickens, etc etc I would actually encourage your child to interact with your dog. By making a fuss and keeping the dog away from the child you will make the dog feel left out and most of the time this is where the problem begins. Let you dog see and play with your child but if your child is very young then I would reccomend you supervise these times. Your dog and child need to get to know each other and to learn from each other want is allowed and what is not. The only way this will happen is to let them play together.