Are your kids constantly waking you up in the middle of the night with requests to get a pet? Well, firstly, however creepy it might sound to adopt a pet, don’t freak out or vent that frustration on your kids. Watching Tom and Jerry, Scooby- Doo or even Garfield can make any kid beg for a pet.

Even though it can be quite an enriching experience, you need to make sure that your child owns the right pet. And so, here is a list of some of the best pets for families with kids.

#1. Dogs

Let’s be honest here: most of us are just crazy about dogs. And that too for a good reason: they are the best!

Indeed, a dog is the most classic children’s pet. And, honestly, who wouldn’t fall head over heels in love with those adorable dogs?

It is not for nothing that dogs are called man’s best friends. They really have a superpower that makes us fall in love with them. And, even though I would say the secret lies in their darn cute eyes, dogs are good companions because they are very gentle, loving and extremely loyal (sometimes even more loyal than that romantic partner).

However, everyone knows that dogs are among the highest maintenance pets and they require a significant commitment of time, effort, care and training. And, there are even some dogs that are not suitable for kids as they might bite or put the children in danger.

Questions to ask yourself when choosing a family dog:

• Is the dog safe for all members of the family?
• What energy level does the dog have?
• What ongoing care will the dog require?
• What age range are you looking for?
• Will this dog get along with other pets?

Now, let me give you some examples of some of the best family dogs:

• Golden Retriever: Are you a member of the Barbie Movies fan club? If so, I am sure you will remember “Prince”, the golden retriever with a pink collar, from Barbie Princess Charm School.A Golden Retriever is not only a kind and loyal dog, but it is also very smart and confident. With its fun-loving nature and its love for games, your kids will most probably fall in love with it instantly.

 

• Labrador Retriever: Known as the most popular dog breed, these affable companions are sure to become the BFFs of your kids. They have a sweet demeanor, are highly intelligent and have high levels of energy. Oh, and did I mention how much they love swimming?

 

• Beagle: Cute? Check. Kid-friendly? Check. Smart and lovable companions? Check and check.

 

• Newfoundland: Also known as “Nature’s Babysitter” or “Nanny Dog”, this dog breed can be considered as the Mother Theresa of dogs. With their long coats and sweet temperaments, they can be very sweet with kids. And, although they might drool excessively, they are known to be great swimmers and can save lives in emergency situations.

 

• Bulldog: Forget society’s misconceptions and trust me on this one. These dogs can get along very well with your kids. They are loyal, protective and require little maintenance.

#2. Cats

Do you want a cat like Garfield, an overweight and lazy cat who has an intense passion for food (especially lasagna and pizza), or Tom, a cat who is always after a mouse, even if he is always causing more damage to him (and we can’t forget his trademark scream)? And, of course, we cannot forget the great Sylvester James Pussycat, Sr. And, if you are wondering who I am talking about? Well, it’s just that Tuxedo cat who appears in the Looney Tunes show and who keeps chasing that yellow canary. 

If there are dog people, obviously, there have to be cat people. There are many who fancy the feline variety and who can’t just resist the antics of a fluffy feline.

Cats are not as playful as dogs, but they require very little maintenance as they can take care of themselves. For example, they basically clean up after themselves.

However, you should also note that, compared to dogs, cats are not that loyal and may eventually run away from time to time (and please don’t ask me if they always return back as I don’t have that answer). In addition, sometimes, they can get moody and a bit on the defensive side (especially if they are disturbed).

Preview of the Next Article:

“Who doesn’t want the very energetic and brave Nemo as pet? 

Fishes can be great starter pets for kids as they can fit about anywhere in a room and don’t require that much care and attention (except if you’ve got a fish like Dory who’s got memory loss).”

 

So, until then, my dear friend, hasta la vista.