How to Overcome a Toddler's Fear of Animals

Fears and anxieties occur frequently in toddlers, who are beginning to understand ideas of cause and effect and real and pretend. Fear of animals represents one of the most common toddler fears, along with fear of monsters, fear of change and fear of inanimate objects. Your toddler may develop a fear of animals after a specific event, such as a cat scratch, or her fear may seem unprompted. Toddlers usually grow out of a fear of animals, but in the meantime, you can take steps to help your child feel comfortable and secure.

Instructions

• 1

  Take your toddler's fear seriously. You know that dogs, cats or other animals won't hurt your child, but toddlers aren't capable of approaching the world rationally. Never make fun of a child's fears.

• 2

  Reassure your child that animals won't hurt them. If their fear is based on a specific event, such as a dog bite, explain that the dog was scared and most dogs don't bite. However, make sure your child knows it's okay to be scared, and he can always tell you his fears.

• 3

  Avoid exposing your child to unfamiliar pets and animals. For example, if she is having a play date with a friend, check first whether the household has pets. Let your child know what to expect, too. For example, tell your toddler, "Jennifer has a small dog, but her mom said it'd stay in the basement while you're there."

• 4

  Read picture books featuring animals with your child. Check first that the book doesn't have any scary pictures. Make it fun by giving the animals funny or silly voices.

• 5

  Offer to take your toddler to the zoo. Explain that there will be lots of interesting animals, but they'll be in cages and enclosures, and you'll stay with him and keep him safe. Don't force your child to go if he doesn't want to.

• 6

  Avoid letting your child pick up on your fears. For example, if you're terrified of spiders, don't scream when you see one. Instead, calmly and promptly kill it.

• 7

  Teach children how to interact with pets. Children are more likely to be scratched or bitten by animals if they don't know how to pet them appropriately. In addition, teach children to avoid wild animals, such as skunks and raccoons.

• 8

  Contact your child's pediatrician if her fear interferes with her daily life. For example, if she's so scared of animals that she refuses to go to daycare and won't play with her stuffed animals, she may have a phobia of animals. Your doctor can talk to you about therapy options for phobias.