15 products recommended by experts to ensure your child is safely interacting with the dogs and cats in your household

• Adult supervision and awareness of child safety around dogs and cats can help prevent bites and other dangerous situations.
• We spoke to three experts about how to raise compassionate kids who respect and understand the needs of their pets.
• With their guidance, we compiled this list of products and services that support safe interactions between kids and pets.
• Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

When you combine kids with pets, things can go from fun and friendly to scary and dangerous in an instant. Studies indicate that around 51% of all dog bites occur in children. Kids who end up accidentally clawed by a cat are undoubtedly just as common.

With proactive planning and lots of supervision, however, harmony can exist in a household with kids and pets. We spoke with three experts to learn how to set up families for success. Steph Miller, a dog trainer and the owner of San Francisco's Bernal Beast, guided us on canines while humane educator Hannah Shaw advised us on felines. We also consulted with Catherine Tannert, a veterinarian at VCA Old Marple in Springfield, Pennsylvania, about both types of pets.

Here are 15 tips and products to keep kids safe around dogs and cats:

An x-pen to create a safe and comfortable no-kid zone

Amazon Basics Foldable Metal Exercise Pen, available at Amazon, from $37.99

To protect everyone in the family, Miller recommends setting up doggy safe zones that kids know are off-limits. An x-pen, which can be stocked with toys, a comfortable bed, food, and water, is a nice way to establish a permanent no-kid zone with clear boundaries, she said.

Webinars and helpful resources to guide dog-kid interactions

Sign up for the Family Paws Dogs and Toddlers Webinar for $14.95

Both Miller and Tannert recommend that parents consult the resources available at Family Paws Parent Education before bringing a baby home to dog or vice versa. Miller, a certified Family Paws educator, likes the organization's approach and uses their advice and games in her own training. In addition to webinars on introducing newborns and toddlers to dogs, Family Paws offers free downloadable PDFs for parents and activity sheets for kids.

Kibble to play fetch and build relationships

Wellness Core Grain-Free Original Dry Dog Food, available at Chewy and Amazon, from $17.39

Playing "fetch" with kibble gives toddlers and older children the opportunity to interact safely with the family dog. Fill a bowl with your dog's meal and then toss a piece to them one at a time. Asking them to sit and make eye contact between throws is a great way to burn energy, said Miller. Slightly older children can toss kibble from one side of a baby gate or x-pen to a dog on the other side to help each build positive associations with the other.

A soft-sided crate to quickly set up a safe space anywhere

Orvis Hose-Off Folding Travel Crate, available at Orvis, from $129

A portable pop-up crate provides a dog with a safe space to retreat to when a child is too clingy or too rough, especially when away from home or outdoors. When your dog needs a break, Tannert recommends letting your child know that their behavior is unsafe. Parents can redirect kids to a fun activity like role-playing with stuffed animals to teach them how to interact with dogs more safely.

Kid-size squeaky balls for games of fetch

Kong Squeakair Balls (sizes XS, S, M, and L), available at Chewy, from from $4.11

"Fetch is a great game for kids and dogs to bond over and enjoy," said Miller. Children should never take the ball from the dog's mouth, however. Instead, the dog should bring the ball to an adult who can then hand it to the child to throw. If you have a small child who is intimidated by a larger dog, it may help them to stand on an elevated step or stool during the game. For little hands, these squeaky balls from Kong are a great fit.

A lightweight leash for easy dog management

Petsafe Premier Nylon Leash, available at Chewy and Amazon, $8.07

"A child who innocently wants to hug a dog, or even just look closely into its eyes, may make the dog feel threatened," said Tannert. When introducing kids to dogs, she recommends keeping a dog on leash and under close supervision. During the interaction, keep a close eye on body language like lip licking, yawning, or stiffening that may indicate the dog is nervous or uncomfortable. Leashes can also be used to tether a dog inside the home to keep them from running amok and accidentally knocking down a child who is unsteady on their feet.

A work-to-eat puzzle toy to teach a dog that crying babies bring food

West Paw Zogoflex Toppl, available Chewy and Amazon, $15.95

Work-to-eat puzzle toys are an important part of a parent's arsenal. Offering a dog a puzzle toy when a child is crying or highly active can help them form positive associations with those sounds and sights. A stuffed frozen toy can also keep a dog busy while a newborn is feeding or napping. "You want your dog to think baby equals fun things and happy times," said Miller.

A special metal spoon for playing hide-and-seek

Stainless Steel Iridescent Dinner Spoon, available at Target, $2

Hide-and-seek is a fun game for kids, dogs, and parents to play together, said Miller. Ask the child to hide while holding a metal spoon spread with a bit of peanut butter or cheese. Once they are hidden, have them call the dog's name once. Go with your dog as they seek out their friend and are rewarded with the treat on the spoon. Because dogs do not like to bite down on metal, the spoon will prevent them from accidentally chomping down on small fingers.

Bully sticks to keep a pup busy when separated from the family

Redbarn 7-inch Bully Sticks, available at Chewy, from $5.29

Since 24/7 doggy supervision is nearly impossible, families will need to separate their pup regularly with a baby gate, x-pen, or crate. And while your dog may love to work on a Kong or puzzle toy during these periods, giving them the same thing every day can get boring. For something to be truly enriching to your dog, novelty is key. In addition to having a variety of puzzle toys, chewies like bully sticks, pig's ears, and marrow bones can help keep your dog's life interesting.

A kid-size bait bag for happy dog training

Chuckit! Treat Tote, available at Amazon, $10.99

By around 7 or 8 years old, most kids are able to do training exercises with their dog, whether that's at home or in a dog training class. In both cases, it's important to use only scientifically proven positive-reinforcement methods. "If aversives are used in training, neither child nor dog will benefit and it will negatively affect the relationship and diminish trust," said Miller.

Check out our dog training tips and product recommendations.

A baby gate for separating the home into two or more spaces

Toddleroo Essential Walk-Through Baby Gate, available at Walmart and Target, $39.99

All three experts emphasized the importance of parental supervision for interactions between kids and pets. When the parents are distracted, a baby gate that separates the home into two or more spaces is the easiest way to keep kids from cat chasing and dog hugging. Baby gates are especially helpful for cats that can easily jump the barrier to escape excited young friends.

A lickable treat kids can safely feed a cat while getting up close and personal

Inaba Churu Cat Treats, available at Chewy and Amazon, $17.96

For incentivizing cats to interact with kids safely, Shaw is a big fan of Inaba Churu's lickable treats. Kids of most ages can easily hold onto one end of the long Go-Gurt-like "meat tube," as she affectionately calls it, while the cat is rewarded with a tasty, lickable paste on the other end.

A cat wand for keeping kids out of the way of kitty teeth and claws during play

GoCat Da Bird Wand, available at Amazon and Petco, $8.95

"Using your hands to play with a cat is a definite no-no because it teaches the cat that your body is a moving target on which to take out their hunting instincts," said Shaw. Instead, she and Tannert recommend choosing a toy like a cat wand that puts some distance between kid and claws. Making DIY cat toys at home is another fun way for kids to learn about and participate in play with feline members of the family.

A book on cat communication and care written just for kids

"A Kid's Guide to Cats" by Arden Moore, available at Amazon and Target, $11.99

Learning about cat body language is one of the most important things a family can do to protect kids from accidental bites and scratches, according to Tannert. Modeling behavior can help young children learn how to act appropriately around their feline friend. For example, when parents give kitty space when they are flicking their ears and swishing their tail, they are teaching young kids to do the same. Older children can learn to recognize and communicate on their own and an illustrated, age-appropriate book can teach them how.

A cozy no-go zone for your cat to escape to when they need a break

Frisco Travel Carrier, available at Chewy, $29.99

Just like dogs, cats need a safe zone where no kids are allowed. "I think consent is a really valuable skill for kids to learn," said Shaw. "We want children to let cats approach them, not to force interaction on them." Small enclosed spaces like cardboard boxes, cat carriers or play tunnels, and elevated perches such as cat trees or cat shelving offer cats the opportunity to get the distance they need.