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Q:

How do they behave around children and other pets?

Hi everyone,

I am currently considering getting a new pet for my family and I am torn between whether to get a dog or a cat. I have a 5-year-old son and a rabbit at home and I'm wondering how dogs and cats generally behave around children and other pets? I don't want to make a rash decision and end up getting a pet that is not suitable for my family's needs. Can anyone share their experiences or provide some advice on this? Thank you in advance!

All Replies

bswift

Hello there,

As someone who has had pets my entire life, I can confidently say that cats and dogs can behave quite differently around children and other pets. While it's true that every animal has their own personality, there are some broad generalizations you can make.

In my experience, cats can be more aloof and less tolerant of small children who may not understand how to handle them gently. That being said, they can be great companions for older children who understand how to respect their boundaries. As for other pets, cats seem to be more wary of new animals and may take some time to warm up to them.

Dogs, on the other hand, are generally more outgoing and social, and they absolutely love spending time with children. However, just like with cats, younger children need to be taught how to handle dogs gently, as they may not realize their own strength. When it comes to other pets, dogs usually love making new friends and are generally fairly accepting of other animals.

Of course, like others have mentioned, it still comes down to individual temperament, as well as proper socialization and training. But speaking from my experience, if you're looking for a loyal and affectionate companion for your children, you really can't go wrong with a dog.

erling.raynor

Hello everyone,

I wanted to offer my perspective on this question as someone who has had both cats and dogs as pets over the years. In my experience, both cats and dogs are capable of forming strong bonds with children, but their behavior around other pets can vary.

Regarding cats, it's true that some cats can be aloof and not naturally inclined to interact with children. However, others are quite social and seek out attention and affection from people of all ages. When it comes to other pets, I have found that cats can be territorial, and may not be thrilled about sharing their space with other animals. This can lead to conflicts between pets, so it's important to introduce them gradually and patiently.

As for dogs, they tend to be more social and outgoing by nature, and can be wonderful companions for children. I agree with others who have mentioned that it's essential to teach children how to respect the dog's boundaries and handle them gently. When it comes to other pets, dogs can be quite accepting, and in many cases, they will want to play and interact with their furry friends.

Ultimately, the key to having pets that get along with children and other animals is socialization and training. Regardless of whether you choose a cat or a dog, it's important to invest time and effort in helping them acclimate to the people and animals in your household. The result can be a family that's filled with love and joy, thanks to the special bond that pets can create.

juwan.wisoky

Hello everyone,

As an animal lover with both cats and dogs at home, I'd like to share my personal experience on how they behave around children and other pets. In my experience, cats and dogs can be great with children and other pets, but it largely depends on their personalities and how they are socialized.

Cats can definitely be affectionate with children, but it's important to teach children how to properly interact with them. Some cats may not be as tolerant to being handled or played with by children, so it's important to supervise all interactions between the cat and the child. When it comes to other pets, introducing a new cat to an existing dog or vice versa can take time and patience. It's important to introduce them slowly and in a controlled manner, and to make sure each pet has their own space to retreat to if needed.

Dogs, on the other hand, are generally very friendly and outgoing with children and other pets. However, some breeds can be more territorial and protective of their family, which can lead to aggression towards other animals. In my experience, proper training and socialization is key for dogs to get along well with children and other pets. It's important to teach children how to properly interact with dogs, and to supervise all interactions between the dog and the child.

Overall, when getting a pet, it's important to keep in mind that every animal has their own personality and history, and it's important to choose a pet that is right for your family's lifestyle and needs. With proper training, socialization, and supervision, cats and dogs can be a great addition to a family with children and other pets.

von.alfredo

Hello everyone,

As someone who has had pets all my life, I can share my personal experience on this matter. I have had both cats and dogs and have lived with rabbits, hamsters, and birds. From my experience, cats are quite independent and tend to be aloof. Some cats may not like being around children or other pets if they have not been properly socialized early on. That being said, I have had cats that were very tolerant and good with children and other pets.

Dogs, on the other hand, tend to be more social and enjoy being around people and other animals. In my experience, most dogs are fond of playing with children and can become fast friends with other pets. Of course, there are dogs that may not be as open to other pets or may become aggressive if not trained or socialized properly.

In general, I think it comes down to the personality of the pet and how well they have been socialized. Some pets may be more extroverted and outgoing, while others may be more introverted and reserved. When getting a pet, it's important to research their breed characteristics and requirements, as well as their personality traits.

I believe that a pet can be a wonderful addition to a family, especially with children. Pets can provide companionship, affection, and teach children responsibility and empathy. However, it's important to always supervise interactions between pets and children, and to teach children how to properly handle and interact with their pets.

mlakin

Hi there,

I can speak to my personal experience with cats and dogs around children and other pets. I have two cats and a dog, and I also have a 4-year-old daughter and a rabbit as pets. In my experience, cats can be great with children as long as they are properly socialized and have been exposed to children from a young age. Both of my cats were rescued as kittens and have always been around children, so they have learned to be gentle and tolerant around them.

My dog, on the other hand, is a bit of a different story. She is a rescue as well, but we don't know much about her history before we adopted her. While she is great with our daughter and the rabbit, she can be reactive around other dogs. We have been working with a trainer to help her improve her behavior, but it's definitely something to consider when getting a dog with other pets already in the home.

Overall, I think it really depends on the individual animal and their history. It's important to do your research and find a pet that is a good fit for your family's lifestyle and needs. And always make sure to properly introduce any new pets to existing pets in a controlled and supervised manner. Hope this helps!

wsipes

Hi there,

I have had both cats and dogs throughout my life, and I can say that it varies based on the personality of the individual animal. I have had cats that were great with children and other pets, and I have had cats that were not as tolerant. Similarly, I have had dogs that were gentle and loving with children and other pets, and I have had dogs that were more aggressive.

I think it's important to do your research and find a breed or individual animal that is known for being good with children and other pets. For example, if you're looking for a dog, breeds like golden retrievers and labrador retrievers are often known for their friendly and gentle personalities. Similarly, if you're looking for a cat, breeds like ragdolls and maine coons are often known for being good with children.

In addition to breed considerations, it's important to properly introduce any new pets to existing pets in a controlled and supervised manner. Give them plenty of time to get used to each other, and make sure to provide separate spaces for each pet if needed.

Overall, I think it's important to approach adding a new pet to your family with caution and careful consideration. But with proper research and preparation, it can be a wonderful addition to your home!

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