Question

Animals can be wonderful additions to a household, but they do come with risks and responsibilities. Your question doesn't specify whether you are planning to get a pet to have at home or just want to expose your daughter to different animals. In either case, you don't want to leave an infant or young child alone with any animal even if the animal seems calm and friendly. The sounds and movements children make can sometimes be upsetting to animals. Children are more commonly victims of animal bites than adults. Any animal can potentially be the source of certain germs that could cause illnesses, so careful handwashing if there is contact with any animal is very important.

Answer

Animals can be wonderful additions to a household, but they do come with risks and responsibilities. Your question doesn't specify whether you are planning to get a pet to have at home or just want to expose your daughter to different animals. In either case, you don't want to leave an infant or young child alone with any animal even if the animal seems calm and friendly. The sounds and movements children make can sometimes be upsetting to animals. Children are more commonly victims of animal bites than adults. Any animal can potentially be the source of certain germs that could cause illnesses, so careful handwashing if there is contact with any animal is very important.

Reptiles and exotic animals, such as ferrets, are not recommended as household pets in homes with infants and young children. Wild animals should never be adopted as pets. If there is a family history of allergies or asthma, you should probably avoid getting a pet with long hair such as cats and many dogs, or furry animals such as rabbits. There are some dogs with short hair that don't shed and may be better tolerated by people with allergies.

Frequent trips to the zoo might be fun for your daughter now and as she gets older. It's a great way to see many different animals and yet keep her safe. If you have friends or relatives with pets, you can also observe how your daughter reacts with those animals and watch for any signs of allergy such as frequent sneezing or itchy, watery eyes. If you are considering owning a pet, you might also talk to a veterinarian or look at this Web site. Stuffed animals are a great, safe alternative for infants and young children!