However, the intermingling of children and pets poses risks for both. Here are some guidelines for protecting your offspring and your furry pals.

Unhealthy pets can spread disease to people. Children are most at risk. The diseases range from ringworm to roundworm to rabies.

However, the key phrase in the above paragraph is unhealthy pets. The risk to children from healthy pets is very low. The first guideline for safe interactions between pets and children is therefore to confirm that your pet is free of parasites and disease. Your vet can check your pet for disease by performing a physical exam and running basic tests. Broad spectrum anti-parasite medications can be used regularly to protect your children–and your pet.

Pets occasionally bite or scratch children. I have noted that many child injuries occur when an unsupervised, poorly socialized pet interacts with an unsupervised, poorly behaved child. I therefore recommend that you properly supervise and socialize your pet, and that you properly supervise and socialize your child. It’s also a good idea to keep your cat’s nails trimmed.

Injury can be a two way street when pets and children mix. Last weekend at the emergency hospital I treated several pets who wound up hurt (accidentally, of course) when left with a child. One, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, wiggled out of a five-year-old’s arms and broke her leg. I expect her to make a full recovery. Another, a Terrier cross, was not so lucky. A child was holding her leash and she broke loose near a busy street. I don’t need to tell you what happened next. The child was inconsolable. For the sake of your pet and your child, do not allow your child to handle your pet unsupervised until he or she is able to do it safely.

Countless other pitfalls exist. Large dogs can knock children over accidentally. Pets can steal potentially toxic (to them) foods from the hands of careless children. For the sake of both children and pets, exercise common sense and practice due diligence.

Of course, most of us on Catster and Dogster will agree that pets are good for our health and well-being. And a growing amount of scientific evidence is proving that pets benefit us in ways that are not so self-evident.

A recent article published by the AFP (a French global news agency) states that children who live with dogs may get an immune system boost from the family pet.

Blood tests showed that, in households with dogs, children were less at risk from becoming sensitised to pollens and inhaled allergens–the triggers for asthma and wheezing, allergic rhinitis and eczema–than counterparts in dog-less homes.

Sadly, the article also contains some disappointing news.

Oddly, though, the benefit seen in the children’s antibodies did not show through in terms of symptoms, the study found. Children with a dog were as susceptible to asthma and the other problems as counterparts without the pets.

This statement should not be construed to imply that the children were not receiving a health benefit from their canine companions. The study provides potent evidence that a household pet can help to stimulate the development of early childhood immune systems.

As scientists and doctors love to say: more research is necessary.