The Best Pet for Your Child

Can't decide whether your family should get a dog or a cat? Bird or hamster? Use our cheat sheet to help pick the perfect pet for your family.

By Bill Strickland

Kim Cornelison

1 of 7

Dog

Your child runs with the gang, romps around the house, and steals treats off the table -- and he'll love having an accomplice in the fun.

Ideal for: Children who develop strong bonds. The animal-human relationship is particularly intense with canines. Think "man's best friend."

But remember: In general, dogs require the most care of any domestic animal. Promises like "I'll walk him and feed him every day" are usually broken quickly, even by the best-intentioned kid. Also, beware of bites. Never leave a pet and baby or young child together unattended.

What do you think of this story? Tell Us.

1 of 7

Related Links

10 New Healthy Snacks for Kids

Now is a great time to change up your snack routin...

Celebs and the Dogs They Love

These stars love to hang with their canine "babies...

Veggies They Can't Resist

Show your kids that healthy veggies can be fun, to...

Parents Are Talking

Comments (6)

Stanley123 wrote:

The best pet is the pet TickleMe Plant. This is no joke. The Pet TickleMe Plant is the most interactive plant in the world. It will suddenly close its leaves and lower its branches when Tickled! Minutes later it reopens! Search Pet TickleMe Plant or find it here http://www.ticklemeplant.com See video!

9/21/2011 10:29:30 AM Report Abuse

catprints33 wrote:

Get a Cheetoh CAT! My 2 yr old can rub her face into our Cheetoh cat's belly even if he is nipped up and in a total kitten spaz mood and he never scratche or bite. Sleeps all through the night snuggled against her and I would NEVER fear him hurting her but I do fear my daughter might hurt him b/c he doesn't move out of the way no matter what she does to him. I taught him 2 tricks in 15 mins. and he remembers better than a dog.

8/23/2011 06:08:35 PM Report Abuse

ginaakay wrote:

They say if you have animals they can help your children fight alergies.

7/18/2011 12:03:46 PM Report Abuse

rebeccaovegge wrote:

What about allergies. Hmmmm...?

3/3/2011 08:41:55 AM Report Abuse

jmc911991 wrote:

We are all about the dog in our house! They love the kids and make the kids feel so special and loved. Plus it teaches them responsibilty. We had fish also, but they didn't live long. Love the chicken idea -- may need to look into that one! Check out some birth stories at: www.myrealbirthstory.com

3/2/2011 07:52:10 PM Report Abuse