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!

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.