Everyone agrees that it's important to supervise children around pets, but what exactly should you supervise? As we know, animals do not speak. It is therefore important to pay close attention to their body language in order to detect early warning signs of a possible bite. Animals can bite for several reasons, including fear, stress, pain or illness. It is essential to teach children, from a young age, to respect animals and, if necessary, their need for peace and quiet.

Here are the warning signs that could demonstrate that an animal is uncomfortable, uneasy, stressed or scared and therefore, could potentially bite:

• He tries to flee or move away;
• He tenses up, stiffens;
• He licks his lips in an unusual way that is not related to food;
• He has a change in expression in the eyes (eg: the white of the eye more visible than usual);
• He has the hair on his back standing up;
• He exhibits unusual and out-of-context yawning;
• His pupils suddenly dilated greatly;
• It has a bushier tail;
• He bares his teeth or growls;
• He tries to bite into the void.

If in doubt or if you notice one or more of these signs, it would be a good idea to separate the child from the animal in order to interrupt the interaction and prevent the risk of bites. If you have any questions or concerns on the subject, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian!

Source: Mascouche Veterinary Clinic