13 Pets That Can Be Dangerous for Children

According to USNews, almost half of American households have a dog as a pet, which is considered a true member of the family. However, more than 50,000 children are bitten by a pet dog each year. While the number itself is staggering, we need to look into the matter more closely and see which breeds are most likely to attack a child. We should also learn about what other pets are not safe to have in the home when there are young children.

It is important to point out that before having some of them at home, you must consult the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Natural Resources (Ibama) to find out if they are allowed.

O awesome.club did a search and found 13 animals that are the least reliable to stay at home when you have young children. Certainly, some of them will come as a complete surprise to you.

In February 2018, a baby from 3 weeks died of salmonellosis after coming into contact with a turtle, and 11 other babies got sick with the same strain. Turtles are responsible for 6% of the total number of deaths related to salmonella infection in the United States. This is serious proof that children and babies should never come into contact with these animals, as the risk of contracting this infection is very high.

While ferrets are cleaner than most dogs and cats, it is necessary to distribute several litter boxes throughout the house. Also, when there is a small child in the same room, it means that they could be playing in the boxes and getting lots of germs.
There is also the fact that some ferrets are very sensitive to certain high-pitched noises, and crying
of a baby can shake them. These animals are also known to have attacked and injured
several children.

Snakes are among the scariest of creatures, but they only bite people if provoked. One snake can feel threatened and bite if a child accidentally steps on it or tries to grab it by force🇧🇷 If you insist on keeping such a reptile as a pet, you should always keep it in a cage when your child is present, or at least monitor the environment when taking the snake out of the cage.

Although chow chows look cute and harmless, they are the exact opposite. They are very temperamental and can be easily provoked. if someone invades your space. They will bite children without hesitation if they bother them by pulling their fur. If the child is older, it is possible to teach him how to act with the dog and not agitate him. Keep in mind that a chow chow’s temperament is not fully trainable.

Lizards pose the same danger to young children as turtles. Salmonellosis tops the list of possible infections that can be contracted after coming into contact with a reptile. Between 2010 and 2013, 175 children and babies contracted the disease and 48 of them were in contact with reptiles, especially lizards. Experts advise people to wash their hands immediately after touching a lizard and firmly avoid exposing children under 1 year old to reptiles.

Rats, domesticated or wild, eat about 15-20 times a day and produce 40 to 100 droppings daily. This means that a child playing in the house will eventually come into contact with these faeces, which carry more than 200 pathogenic germs that can affect humans. This is a very high risk you will face by keeping a rat as a pet in your home. But if you decide to insist, it is crucial to inform your child that he must wash his hands thoroughly after touching the rodent.

Frogs are another source of salmonella, according to with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2011, 241 people reported being infected with salmonella after touching a frog, and 2/3 of them were under 10 years old. In particular, African frogs are known to carry the salmonella strain, which is extremely easy to infect humans, especially children who have not yet developed a strong immune system. These frogs usually live in water and are sold in pet stores around the world.

Chihuahuas are cute and small, but also very loud and quarrelsome. Because of their small size, they don’t like to be squeezed, something a young child does without even realizing it. This can lead to the dog biting her or being extremely aggressive towards her. If you want a child to coexist with a Chihuahua dog, you need to train the dog, when he’s still a puppy, how to react to children. It is also important to teach your child what things can bother the dog to try to prevent him from doing so.

There is a misconception that small animals are easier for young children to handle and we think we need to clarify this point. Guinea pigs have sharp nails and can easily scratch if they are bothered, which can lead to staph infections. If caught by children who still have a weak immune system, they can cause them to develop pneumonia, sepsis, or serious bacterial infections. These animals can also spread salmonellosis and cause the flu in children and adults.

It is quite obvious why hedgehogs are dangerous for children, since their spines can penetrate deep into the skin and cause serious injuries. However, most people don’t know that this is not just painful, but also a way of transporting certain bacteria known to cause fever, stomach aches and rashes. Families who wish to have a hedgehog as a pet should only do so if they have children over 6 years of age, in addition to teaching them to be patient and gentle with the animal.

Iguanas are in the same category as other reptiles that pose a great danger to children by spreading salmonella. There were cases where children became ill with bloody diarrhea and fever caused by the strain of this bacteria, contracted from a pet reptile. It’s better not to have an iguana if you have small children. If you insist on having an iguana, you can keep it in a room they don’t have access to.

If there’s one word that could describe Dalmatians perfectly, it’s “moody”. Due to their breeding process, they are not the most sociable dogs out there. This means that if they are not properly trained, may bite a child if hit or caressed by the child🇧🇷 Dalmatians must be trained when they are still puppies, so that they learn to be sociable and coexist with young children. They need to be exposed to little ones to know how to act around them and not be put off by their childlike enthusiasm.

Rottweiler dogs are not only potentially dangerous for children, but also for adults if not properly trained. They are confident and courageous, but they can also be territorial and therefore aggressive. Young children cannot understand and respect the dog’s space, which can lead to an attack. However, older children can coexist with them if they are taught how to act around them and when to leave them alone.

Which of the animals mentioned do you think is the most dangerous for a child? Please tell us in the comments.