Jump to navigation
Home
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Home
  • About us
  • Teachers
    • Key messages
    • Resources
    • School Visits
    • The role of pets in child development
  • Kids
    • Pet Fact Sheets
    • Benefits of owning a pet
    • Games, activities and worksheets
  • Vets
    • Benefits of involvement
    • How to get involved
  • Community supporters
    • Benefits of getting involved
  • Councils
    • Benefits of getting involved
    • How to get involved
    • Participating councils
  • Information
    • Responsible Pet Ownership
      • The needs of pets
      • Choosing the right pet
      • Pets in our family
      • Being a responsible pet owner
      • Pet ownership guidelines and rules in local communities
    • The role of animal carers and animal welfare groups
    • Safety Around Animals
      • Safe behaviour around animals
      • Avoiding dog and cat bites
      • Animal behaviour-dog and cat body language
      • Importance of socialising and training animals
      • Safe procedures for injured wildlife
    • Healthy Living (Pets and People)
      • What do veterinarians and vet nurses do?
      • Animal health
      • Working safely around animals
      • Pets and people living together
      • Hygienic handling of animals
      • How can we keep our pets healthy
    • Welfare of Animals
      • Respect and care for animals
      • Different animals have different needs
      • Domestic wild and production animals
      • Looking after wildlife
    • Animals And The Community
      • The role of government groups-inspectors and rangers
      • Animals helping communities
      • Legal and social responsibilities of owning a pet
      • Impact of lifestyle, cultures and environment on pet ownership

Avoiding dog and cat bites

Image

Dogs and cats make great pets but if they are hurt or frightened, they might hurt us if we try to touch them.

We need to be careful so we don't scare them or get hurt.

 Avoiding dog bites

  • You should never approach an unfamiliar dog on the street or in the park.
  • Never pat an unfamiliar dog without the owner’s permission.
  • Hide your fingers and let it sniff the back of your hand
  • If it stays with you after it sniffs your hand, stroke it gently on the shoulder. Never pat the head.
  • Never enter a dog’s yard without an adult and the owner present
  • Stay right away from dogs when they are eating or near food
  • Don’t grab a dog as this can frighten them
  • Stay away from a sleeping dog
  • Play games that don't get your dog too excited, as this can make some dogs bite. 
  • Do not go near a dog with a litter of puppies

   Image  Click here to play the game 'Avoiding Dog Bites'

 

If approached by a strange dog

  • Stand still if approached by an unfamiliar dog. Cross your arms or keep them by your side with your fingers curled
  • Look at your feet, not the dog
  • When the dog walks away, slowly back up then walk away. Don't run!
  • Tell an adult what happened

Danger signs

Never touch a dog if:

  • It lifts its lip and bares its teeth
  • It snarls growls or snaps.
  • It backs away
  • It raises the hair on its neck or back

Avoiding cat bites and scratches

  • Never tease or scare a cat
  • Never approach or touch a cat without the owner’s permission

        Avoid sudden  movements around a cat

  • Don’t go near a cat when it is sleeping
  • Do not go near a cat when it is eating
  • If a cat looks sick, stay away and tell an adult straight away

Danger signs

Never approach a cat if:

  • Its tail is low and swishing
  • It is crouching low
  • It is hissing
  • Its claws are out

If  you are worried by your pet's behaviour, make sure you speak to your local veterinarian. If there is a problem, he/she will be able to help.

For more information on preventing dog and cat bites, check out GoodDogSA.com and GoodCatSA.com

 ImageClick here to play some cool games thanks to our friends at GoodDogSA.com

CLICK HERE to download the worksheet "Meeting new dogs"

CLICK HERE to download the worksheet "Colour the happy puppies"

CLICK HERE to download the poster "Avoiding Dog Bites"

CLICK HERE to download the poster "What is this dog telling you?"

  • Home
  • About us
  • Teachers
  • Kids
  • Vets
  • Community supporters
  • Councils
  • Information
    • Responsible Pet Ownership
    • The role of animal carers and animal welfare groups
    • Safety Around Animals
      • Safe behaviour around animals
      • Avoiding dog and cat bites
      • Animal behaviour-dog and cat body language
      • Importance of socialising and training animals
      • Safe procedures for injured wildlife
    • Healthy Living (Pets and People)
    • Welfare of Animals
    • Animals And The Community
An initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association
© 2010 Australian Veterinary Association (AVA)

Search form