Pets need families to love and care for them, and family pets can provide priceless rewards and life lessons for children (and their parents). Pets offer unconditional love and companionship, have been shown to lower blood pressure and stress levels, decreasing the risks of heart disease and easing depression, and pets can teach human beings of all ages about responsibility, discipline, and the demands of caring for another living thing.

However, there are some definite considerations when making the decision to combine kids and pets—regardless of who came first. Check out these resources for more information on all sides of the family pet issue.

Bringing Home Baby
If you already have a dog or cat, be sure to check out the Humane Society's tips on preparing your pet for your family's new addition.

The Scientific American also shows that studies in recent years have proven that children raised with a family pet are less likely to develop allergies, but there are risks associated with having pets around small children that should also be weighed.

With the right mix of preparation and patience, however, you can be sure to keep your baby and your pet safe and happy—and will ensure that all members of your family are enjoying each other's company for years to come.

Preparing for Pets
Every parent will hear pleas for a pet from their kids at some point. The most important thing is to gauge whether or not your kids are ready for a pet first before giving in to their requests.

The American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry outlines some important caveats on making this decision, and the Best Friends Animal Society provides a fabulous guide to combining pets with kids of every age group.

The American Veterinary Medical Association provides a dozen or so "Petpourri" worksheets on their website to teach children about animals and their needs--especially great for "testing" readiness in young children. (Note: Some worksheets compare animals to food sources and may not be appropriate for vegetarian or vegan households.)

Also, the PBS Kids "Pet-acular" web site can help reinforce kids' pet knowledge and awareness through shows like Clifford and Arthur and other interactive media.

Selecting the Right Pet
Now that you've decided to get a family pet, you have the important task of choosing a pet that's right for your household and your family's lifestyle. Check out the Care.com Family Pet Guide to learn more about the most popular family pets: dogs, cats, and other animals.

Also, the Washington Post wrote an article a few years back on the best "Starter Pets for Kids," which can help simplify your decision (or introduce pets into your family picture in carefully planned phases).

Teaching Kids "The Rules"
OK: you've decided which pet is right for your family, now it's important to teach kids "The Rules." (Important even for children who don't have a family pet but may visit friends who do!)

Both the San Francisco SPCA and the FDA offer great resources for teaching kids about safety around dogs and cats, and for instilling appropriate behavior around animals in general.

FEMA also offers a guide to teach kids (and their parents!) to prepare for the unexpected, with valuable emergency drills and information for securing your pets in the event of a fire, flood, or other natural disaster—good things to incorporate into your family's emergency preparedness plan.

Have a tip or issue regarding kids and pets that you don't see here? Leave a comment so the whole Care.com community can benefit from your experience!

Cheers,
Sheila