“Wonder Pets
Wonder Pets
We’re on our way
To help a friend and save the day…”
Parents with young children feel free to join in:
“We’re not too big
And we’re not too tough
But when we work together
We’ve got the right stuff…
GOOOOOO Wonder Pets… YAY!!”
I dare you to watch even half an episode of the popular animated Nickelodeon show about a determined guinea pig, an independent baby turtle, and an adventurous duckling without humming the theme song for the rest of the week.
I should know. My preschooler has been a fan of the show for more than two years and I’ve heard the trio of baby animal heroes sing the catchy tune (operetta style)–while they enthusiastically demonstrate the benefits of teamwork–more times than I care to admit.
And as if sitting through an episode (okay, I’m actually doing dishes or folding the laundry, but I can still hear it) wasn’t enough I’m then forced to endure the 30-minute whine-fest that follows:
“Mommy can we get a baby chick like Ming-Ming?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea honey.”
“Why?”
Silence.
“Okay, how about a Linny (the guinea pig)?”
“Mmmm… pets are a big responsibility.”
“I want a Tuck (the baby turtle).”
“Maybe when you get to be a little older, okay sweetie?”
“But… Mooooommmmmy!”
Silence.
“NOBODY LOVES ME!”
And so it goes with my resident drama queen. (Thanks “Wonder Pets.”)
But, now, EUREKA! I may have found a legitimate way out of turning my home into a haven for the real-life “Wonder Pets.”
The nation’s leading pediatricians’ group just released a new report warning parents about the dangers of housing exotic animals.
According to the report: “WARNING: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets – or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards, turtles, or iguanas- because of risks for disease.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued the warning to parents after it uncovered evidence that the aforementioned animals often carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs. The report goes on to say that exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw children (especially kids under the age of 5).
The group of medical experts cut to the chase in this report saying point-blank that families with children younger than 5 should not own exotic pets. The American Academy of Pediatrics is also warning parents of young children to avoid having their kids come in contact with these types of animals at petting zoos or other public places because the risk of children getting sick (due to their tendency to put their hands in their mouths) is high.
“Many parents clearly don’t understand the risks from various infections these animals often carry,” the report’s lead author noted in the study.
According to the study, about 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles. In addition, hamsters have also been found to carry germs, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Experts say they also found high levels of salmonella in baby chicks, and young children can contract the illness by kissing or touching the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths.
Researchers note that parental supervision and vigilant hand washing after contact between children and animals “is a good thing,” but to truly eliminate the risk of your son or daughter getting hurt or sick from exotic pets, experts recommend simply keeping the two groups away from one another.
And to think, after two years of badgering I was actually contemplating getting my daughter a baby turtle for Christmas.
I guess we’ll be sticking with the animated version for a couple more years.
Do you have exotic pets and young children in your home?
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