The nurse is teaching parents of toddlers about animal safety. Which should be included in the teaching session?

A) Petting dogs in the neighborhood should be encouraged to prevent fear of dogs.
B) The toddler is safe to approach an animal if the animal is chained.
C) It is permissible for your toddler to feed treats to a dog.
D) Teach your toddler not to disturb an animal that is eating.

Parents should be taught that toddlers should not disturb an animal that is eating, sleeping, or caring for young puppies or kittens. The child should avoid all strange animals and not be encouraged to pet dogs in the neighborhood. The child should never approach a strange dog that is confined or restrained. The inexperienced child should not feed a dog (if the child pulls back when the animal moves to take the food, this can frighten and startle the animal).