Pets are popular with humans for good reason. From the time the first dogs were domesticated to the current day menagerie of mammals, reptiles and birds, pets have been an invaluable addition to our lives.

Many people may think it unwise to have babies and pets under one roof. While safety measures should be taken, research has shown that getting a pet for your children can teach them valuable life lessons and give them self-esteem. When you have an infant, you do need to be selective in what pet your family has. Cats and dogs are obviously the most popular and tame pets, but even they carry issues. Cats have mixed reactions to babies. A great deal depends on the personality of the cat, so watch him or her closely when you bring baby home. Dogs have a pack centered mindset, so they will probably view the infant as a new pup in the group. The best dog breeds to get are: Affenpinscers, Basset Hounds, Bichon Frise, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Collies, Golden or Lab Retrievers, Poodles, Pugs and Schnauzers. These are just suggestions, so if you have an extraordinarily sweet dog or cat who has no problem with babys arrival, you obviously have nothing to worry about. A good general safety guideline is to never leave the pet alone with baby.

If a dog or cat will not work, there are other pets your family can have. Some good suggestions are: guinea pigs, birds and the classic fish. Rabbits can be good but not for children under 7.