How to Teach Kids with Autoimmune Diseases to Care for Pets

If you have pets or your children have asked for one, you have no doubt discussed the important day-to-day responsibilities of taking care of animals. Pets need constant care and attention, but children who have an autoimmune disease need to also take extra care themselves when they are around animals. Animals can spread germs and bacteria, but there are common-sense tips to make sure everyone stays healthy and still enjoys the many benefits of life with a pet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Wash your hands after playing with or petting any animals – your own, a friend’s, and especially animals in a petting zoo. Don’t touch your hands to your face or mouth without washing them first.
2. Be gentle with pets and other animals. Discourage overly excited play that might lead the pets to bite or scratch, even if it's accidental. Bites and scrapes easily spread any existing germs.
3. Don’t walk barefoot outdoors, especially if pets run freely in the yard. Cover sandboxes when not being used.
4. Have everyone wear gloves when changing the cat’s litter box or washing a pet’s sleeping area. Even when wearing gloves as a precaution, be sure to wash your hands after cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep your pets up-to-date on vaccines and annual check-ups.
• Thoroughly wash any animal bite or scrape immediately, and keep an eye on the spot for any visible changes over time.