Petting Zoo Dangers: 5 Ways to Protect Your Child
Petting zoos seem like the perfect family outing—cute animals, happy kids, and great photo ops. But what most parents don’t realize is that petting zoos can expose children to serious risks, from germs and infections to bites and injuries. What starts as a fun day can quickly turn into something scary.
I didn’t know this either. When my daughter was two, my husband and I took her to a local petting zoo because she loved animals. A friend had been before, it was closer than driving to Zoo Miami, and honestly—I didn’t think twice. I didn’t do my due diligence, and I assumed it was safe.
After that visit, I started digging deeper and learned that health experts have raised real concerns about petting zoos—especially for babies and toddlers who touch everything and put their hands in their mouths.
In this guide, I’m sharing the most common petting zoo dangers and five simple, practical ways to protect your child so you can decide if a petting zoo is worth it for your family—and how to stay safe if you go.
Do Your Research
This step is non-negotiable.
Not all petting zoos are created equal. Some are part of established zoos with strict safety and animal-care standards, while others are independently run. If you’re considering an independent petting zoo, it’s especially important to dig a little deeper.
Before you go, look into how the animals are cared for and where they come from. Check the petting zoo’s website, scroll through their social media pages, and read online reviews. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions either. I also highly recommend asking other moms in your city about their experiences—word of mouth can be incredibly telling.
That’s exactly what I thought I did.
I Googled “petting zoos near me” and clicked through a few options. We ended up choosing Marando Farms & Ranch. Their website looked decent, and I liked that they clearly listed important details like hours of operation. Looking back, I honestly don’t remember seeing any reviews—which should’ve been my first red flag.
When we arrived, I initially felt good about the place. There was a cute café where you could order food and drinks, plus a small farmer’s market.
Admission was only $3 per person, and there were very few people there. In fact, there weren’t any other kids in the petting zoo area at the time. I wasn’t sure if it was because it was raining that day—or if it was usually that quiet.
Either way, it reminded me how easy it is to assume everything is safe just because a place looks family-friendly.
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Once You Arrive at a Petting Zoo
Once you’re there, don’t go into autopilot mode. This is where small decisions can make a big difference.
- Read the waiver—every word.
They’ll likely ask you to sign one at check-in. Don’t just skim it or sign out of habit. Take a moment to actually read what you’re agreeing to and what the petting zoo is (and isn’t) responsible for. - Ask about the animals’ well-being.
It’s okay to ask questions. Find out how the animals are cared for and whether they’re up to date on vaccinations and routine health checks. - Pay attention to posted warnings.
Signs are there for a reason. Read all safety notices and rules posted around the petting zoo—and follow them, even if others don’t. - Learn the right way to feed the animals.
If your child wants to feed the animals, ask a staff member how it should be done. Some animals can become aggressive if fed incorrectly, and certain foods can be harmful to them.
Being present, asking questions, and slowing down just a bit can help keep a fun outing from turning into a stressful one.
Supervise Your Kids . . . Closely!
This is not the time to relax or scroll your phone.
Keep a close eye on both your child and the animals at all times. Kids don’t always know how to handle animals gently, and animals can become unpredictable—especially when they’re overstimulated or surrounded by little hands.
Watch how your child interacts with the animals, but also pay attention to the animals’ behavior. If an animal seems agitated, restless, or overwhelmed, that’s your cue to step in or move on.
Here’s the part that might surprise you: some experts actually recommend that young children don’t pet the animals at all.
I know—what’s the point of a petting zoo if you can’t pet the animals, right?
And honestly, telling a child they can’t touch the animals is incredibly hard. That interaction is usually the whole reason you’re there. But limiting contact—especially with toddlers—can significantly reduce the risk of bites, scratches, and exposure to germs.
The Ground Is Off Limit
This may seem obvious, but it happens more often than you think.
Petting zoo floors are typically dirty and often contaminated with animal waste—even if you can’t see it. Letting kids sit, crawl, or play on the ground in animal areas puts them at a much higher risk of picking up harmful bacteria and germs.
Side Note: If your child drops something on the ground, it’s best to leave it there.
Don’t Feed the Animals?
When we arrived, we were asked if we wanted to purchase food (lettuce) so that we could feed the animals. Knowing Haley, I already knew she would love that experience, so we paid $2 for a head of lettuce.
After walking to the back, which is where the animals were located, we stood there for a few minutes unsure of what to do next. There were no signs explaining where to enter or how to safely access the fenced animal areas. That lack of clear direction immediately stood out to me and was one of the first moments where I felt the place wasn’t as organized as I would have preferred.
Unfortunately, things went downhill from there.
After being at Marando Farms & Ranch for about 45 minutes and just before we were getting ready to leave, Haley walked back over to the ponies. They were behind a gate. She didn’t have food in her hands and she wasn’t doing anything aggressive. She simply stood there looking at one of the ponies and leaned in to gently pet it on the head.
My husband and I were standing right next to her when she suddenly started screaming and crying.
One of the ponies had bitten her.
It took me a moment to fully process what had happened. When I checked her forearm, it was already turning red and beginning to swell. The skin was slightly broken, and while I’m incredibly thankful it wasn’t much worse, it was still terrifying as a parent.
One of the workers, a teenage boy, came over to look at the bite. We moved inside to wash the area and get a better look at it. My poor baby was in so much pain. She loves animals, and in that moment, my biggest fear wasn’t just the injury—it was whether this experience might traumatize her.
This experience is exactly why feeding animals and allowing close contact, especially with toddlers, needs to be handled with extreme caution, clear guidance, and constant supervision.
Wash Hands Often
Petting zoos are full of germs that aren’t always visible. Make sure your child washes their hands frequently while you’re there and especially before leaving. Kids naturally touch their faces and mouths, which makes proper hand hygiene even more important.
To reduce the risk of contamination, leave toys, pacifiers, blankets, and comfort items in the car or at home. This helps prevent bringing germs back home with you.
What should you do if your child gets bitten at the petting zoo?
First, try to stay calm. It’s scary, but what you do in the next few minutes really matters.
Examine the Bite Right Away
Check whether the skin is broken or bleeding. Redness and swelling are common, but broken skin is especially concerning because it increases the risk of infection.
Clean the Wound Immediately
Ask a staff member if they have a first aid kit. Use soap and water if available, followed by an antibacterial spray or ointment.
Speak with a Manager
Ask questions about the animal involved and their safety procedures. Find out how animals are cared for, whether they receive routine vaccines and health checks, how often biting incidents occur, and what their protocol is when something like this happens.
Document Everything
Take clear photos and short videos of the bite as soon as possible. This helps you track changes to the wound and may be useful if you need to speak with a medical professional or address the situation later.
Final Thoughts
Being a mom isn’t easy—and situations like this can be emotionally draining.
After this experience, we won’t be visiting petting zoos again anytime soon. That doesn’t mean I’d never reconsider in the future, but for now, it’s a no for us.
Have you taken your little ones to a petting zoo? How was your experience? If you haven’t gone yet, let me know (in the comments below) if these tips were helpful.
