My six-year-old is begging for a puppy or a kitten. I said she could have one when she’s old enough to take care of it. Just between us grown-ups, when exactly is that?

Having a pet is a great experience for children, teaching them responsibility and empathy, and giving them a great deal of fun and happiness in the process. But parents should oversee all pet care, even when older children and teens are involved. Pets are not toys and shouldn’t be made to suffer if your child forgets to perform a daily task.

Bringing an animal into a household with children makes it that much more important to get the right dog or cat from the outset, and to have a plan for integrating your new pet into your family.