Animals Planet

Before you get your new pet, you need to find out all you can about it - what kind of food, when to feed, when to go to the vet, where is the nearest dog training centre (only if you are getting a dog of course - I don't think they train spiders or mice or even crocodiles!)

A well-behaved and trained dog is easier to handle and much more pleasant to have around than a dog which jumps up, pulls on a lead and is a total embarrassment when other people are around.

Young animals like to check out anything new to them with their eyes, claws, tongues and teeth.

It's a bit like having a baby around. You have to think for them and make sure that they can't get at anything which could harm them. Make sure that electric cords are out of their reach, or cover any cords that are near the ground with something they can't chew through.
Don't give them human medicines. If your pet has a cough, your cough mixture could make it ill.
Keep all medicines - human or pet - out of your pet's reach. Like babies, they will taste everything they see, and they can't read the label either.
Only give your pets treats that are specially made for them. Yes, I know pets think they should share your treats but chocolates and chewing gum can make them ill.
Look around your yard for danger to your pet. Are there any holes, gaps in concrete, drains or swimming pools that your pet could fall into or get stuck in? (If you have a compost heap, it's a good idea to cover it up, as some pets I have known just love rolling in anything smelly!)
Make sure there are no poisons, like snail bait, where your pet could go. Snail bait is very poisonous for dogs and cats.
Be careful to keep your toys away from your pet, as small pieces could get stuck in your pet's throat.
Don't let your pets wander around the district without you. They could get hurt or catch diseases from other animals.
Teach pets to 'do the right things'. If you let your cute puppy jump onto the furniture, will you be happy for him to do the same when he's a fully-grown dog? I don't think so!
Don't leave your dog in a car when the weather is hot.
Give your pet lots of exercise.



As you can see, there are lots of things to think about before you bring a pet into your home.

There are some people who have pets like snakes, spiders, crocodiles and other 'wild' animals. (Thank goodness my kids aren't into anything like that - I don't think I would be too good at sticking tablets down a crocodile's throat!)

Most people have more traditional pets like dogs, cats, birds, fish, mice, guinea pigs, tortoises and rabbits. Some people may have larger pets like donkeys and horses.

Before you choose a pet you have to think about: where you live - do you have a garden or do you live in a flat?
how much time you and your parents have to look after a pet
where the pet will live
how big it will grow up to be - puppies and kittens are really cute when they're small but they could grow up to be quite huge!
who is going to look after the pet?
how much it will cost - food, injections to stop your pet from getting diseases, licences, vet's bills, holiday care, as well as any damage which might be done to homes and gardens by pets which are curious or bored. You need to think about all these things
what other pets are in your neighbourhood - walking a dog that is new to the area can be rather noisy and a bit scary, as other dogs will want to check out the new dog.
what kind of pet will suit your lifestyle - it is a good idea to have a talk with your local vet who can advise you on the kind of pet that would fit in well with you and your family.

What's good about having a pet?

Choosing a pet

Keeping pets safe

Dr Sohan says

Did you know?

What some children said about pets
Pets/animals quiz

Do you or your family have a pet?

What kind of pet is it? Who chose it? Who looks after it?

Pets can be lots of fun if you have the right pet for you, your family and your lifestyle.

Germs (Rookie Readers) Germs, worms and fleas Always wash your hands after playing with a pet, and be especially careful before eating, in case any germs have got onto your fingers.
Don't let pets lick your face - they may have been licking somewhere unmentionable just before they licked you! If they do lick your face, don't panic - soap and water will get rid of any nasty germs.
Pets get worms and fleas. They need to be treated regularly to keep them healthy. Animal fleas can bite you.
Some skin diseases such as ringworm can be spread to humans from dogs and cats. [Ringworm is not really a worm, it is a skin infection caused by tinea - see our topic "Fungal infections".]
Some people can be allergic to animal hair or dander[the dry skin that rubs off pets and sticks in the animal's fur.] They might get hay fever or asthma if they get too close to some pets - see our topic "Allergies - general".


It sounds like a lot of problems, doesn't it. But if you take care, pets can be great fun and not cause any problems!

Germs, worms and fleas

Bites and scratches

Cleaning up

Sick pets

Dr Kate says

Children say

Unusual pets

Jigsaw puzzle

There are lots of good things for children about having and caring for pets. Playing with and cuddling pets [yuk! not spiders] is part of the fun of having them, but there are some things to remember if you want to keep yourself safe.

As the name suggests, the killer whale is a deadly predator, combining remarkable skill with awesome physical power. Orcas have a number of ingenious techniques in their hunting arsenal, giving them one of the most diverse diets of all aquatic predators. For example, they are fond of knocking seals and penguins from ice floes in order to seize them as they fall into the water. They have also been known to intentionally beach themselves in order to reach seals onshore. Highly social animals, killer whales tend to live in pods made up of dozens of individuals working cooperatively to snag prey. Some have even been known to successfully prey on great white sharks.

The most fearsome animal in all Africa may well be the black mamba, the giant venomous snake found throughout the southeastern portion of the continent. It gets its name from the black skin on the inside of its mouth, which it displays just before it strikes. These animals are usually quite shy, but can be extremely aggressive when confronted. When they do attack, they tend to strike their victims repeatedly, releasing a lethal mix of neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. In the past, a bite from a black mamba was 100 percent fatal. Now, that figure is decreasing due to the increased use of anti-venom throughout the continent.