When it comes to dogs, they are regarded as man’s closest friend, and it is only normal to believe that your greatest buddy would not hurt you. Dogs, like humans, may get overexcited or intimidated, and they may strike out in the only way they know how — by biting you or your kid. It is also a proven truth that youngsters are more susceptible to dog attacks than their adult counterparts. In addition, they are the most likely to need an inpatient hospital stay or reconstructive surgery due to such accidents.

What Causes Dogs to Bite Children?

You will never be able to foresee when or why a dog may attack and bite your kid. There are a variety of reasons why a dog could bite someone. They are pack animals, and their natural instincts dictate the majority of their behavior and actions. A significant majority of dog bite instances include children under the age of five who are bitten by dogs acquainted with the children in question. The following are some possible explanations for why this occurs:

• When compared to extremely young children, certain dogs might seem to be rather large in comparison. This might give them a sense of superiority, which can manifest itself in the form of a protective attitude toward an item, an area, or a particular individual. Read More: >Toys for Your Dog
• If your kid is under the age of five, they may not understand the need to set boundaries while playing with the family dog or a neighbor’s dog. The youngster may pull, but this may cause the animal to bite the child.
• When children get too near to a dog quickly and startlingly, the animal may respond by attacking the youngsters.
• A sick or wounded dog can bite.
• When a dog views a sprinting youngster as prey, they may bite the child in response.

Anxiety might cause to bite

Three-quarters of the dogs investigated showed signs of anxiety as a result of:

• The distress caused by a separation
• Thunderstorms or pyrotechnics, for example, may cause sudden loudness.
• Young children make a lot of noise and movement in unanticipated ways.
• A nervous dog that is terrified in these conditions may be more likely to attack youngsters, regardless of whether or not they are acquainted with the children in question.

Dogs are driven to the brink by pain

An adult’s common sense may urge them not to touch a dog who is in agony. On the other hand, children may not be able to tell whether a dog is in pain. In reality, physical disorders such as liver and renal illness, eye difficulties, and diseases that impacted their bones and skin were found in half of the dogs tested by the researchers.

Dog Bites in Children: What to Do and What Not to Do

If there are no apparent signs of injury to the skin, such as tears or punctures, it is typically not essential to visit a medical professional. However, after delivering first aid, it is advisable to seek medical advice and err on the side of caution rather than risk more injury. If your kid gets bitten by the family dog, follow these steps:

• Applying pressure to the area with a clean cloth can help to control the bleeding. Additionally, you may elevate the afflicted limb.
• Clean the damaged area with soap and water, and then place it under running water for a few minutes to allow the soap to work.
• Apply an antibiotic ointment after wiping the area dry.
• Do not apply any dressings to the wound, and do not get it sewed up. Read More: >Ways to celebrate holidays with Pets

The Different Kinds of Damage Caused by a Dog Attack

In addition to the physical pain that your kid is likely to experience as a consequence of getting bitten by a dog, there is also expected to be some degree of mental trauma to cope with as well.

The physical aspect

Dog bites may be classified into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. While minor injuries may just only a visit to the doctor and the administration of basic first aid, significant injuries may necessitate surgery. This is because serious injuries often occur on the head, neck, and face, where nerves and bones are more susceptible to being impacted. It may be necessary to perform reconstructive procedures to restore this sort of physical damage.

Emotional repercussions

The psychological damage that your kid suffers as a consequence of a dog bite is likely to endure a lifetime for them. This may also alter your child’s perspective of dogs and even pets for the rest of their life. Having your kid examined for emotional trauma and obtaining counseling will assist them in navigating this difficult time in their lives.

Treatment

Following the administration of first aid, it is recommended that you seek medical attention regardless of the severity of the bite to prevent any future consequences. By the severity of the edge, your kid may need a tetanus injection, an antirabies vaccination, and, if necessary, an anti-rabies immunoglobulin injection.

The typical regimen for rabies vaccine consists of five doses administered on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 30 of the month. The first day of immunization is represented by the number ‘0’. A regimen of five 1 ml doses of rabies vaccine should be administered intravenously (IM) to those who have never been inoculated against the disease. As soon as feasible after the exposure, the first dosage of this 5-dose regimen should be taken.

Day 0 of the sequence of post-exposure prophylaxis is therefore regarded to have occurred on the date specified above. The subsequent doses should be provided on the following days: the third, seventh, fourteenth, and twenty-eighth after the initial immunization. Antibiotics will also be prescribed by the doctor to prevent or control infection. If the injuries need reconstructive surgery, mainly the face or neck, a plastic surgeon will be sent to the scene.

Rabies Pose a Risk to Your Health

In India, where rabies is prevalent in a large population of dogs and cats, it is mandatory to begin treatment and keep the biting dog or cat under monitoring for a minimum of 10 days after the bite.

• Consider a breed that is well-known for its kind demeanor when selecting a companion canine.
• Never leave your kid alone in the presence of a dog, even if it is the family pet that has been with you for an extended period.
• Please refrain from making physical demonstrations of love such as embracing and kissing or doing anything similar that may place your face too near the dog’s face.
• It is not safe to approach a dog who is nursing her pups.
• Teach your youngster how to cope with hostile dogs. If the dog seems to be malicious, instruct them to remain still and gaze down.
• Make sure that your children understand that they should not taunt dogs by stealing their toys or goodies.
• When dogs are eating or sleeping, they must not be disturbed in any way.
• Instruct your children to stay away from unfamiliar dogs and to refrain from petting them.
• Teach your family dog that when youngsters are around, beautiful things will happen to him.]
• If the dog is with its owner, always ask for permission before approaching the dog and accessing the owner’s property.
  
  
  
• Make it clear to children that the dog will play with them just for the duration of its desire and that when he goes away, it signals that he has had enough for the time being.
• Keep an eye out for any new stray animals that wander into your neighborhood and report them to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.

It is important not to worry if your kid has been bitten by a dog. As soon as possible, provide first aid and get your kid to the closest hospital or your physician’s office for further examination.

The post >Why Dogs Bite kids| Reasons why dogs Bite Children appeared first on >.

Nisha Patel

I'm Nisha, a passionate pet enthusiast who love to share my knowledge with all pet owners. With years of firsthand experience and a deep love for animals, I bring a unique perspective to the world of pet care.