If you have a child age one and up, he probably begs you on a regular basis for some kind of pet. If you've never owned an animal, you may feel bewildered by your young one's passion. If you're a pet lover yourself, you may fully empathize with his desire but might not be quite sure when your child is old enough to have a pet or what kind of wee beastie it should be.

There are dozens of reasons to bring an animal into your home--but also plenty of reasons to make you pause. Here are some points to consider:

The pros of pets

Having grown up with all manner of animals, including fish, hamsters, gerbils, cats, dogs, horses, and rabbits, I can personally testify that animals can be wonderful playmates and confidantes for children. In fact, as a rather shy child, I found great solace in the affection and acceptance of non-human creatures.

But animals offer far more than solace or even entertainment. Caring for animals can teach children many things, including gentleness, responsibility, empathy, nurturing, and, in the best of cases, interest in and compassion for all living creatures. Studies have shown that simple acts like watching fish or patting a cat have physiological effects, too, such as decreasing both blood pressure and levels of stress hormones. Several studies also have shown that being around animals can help children develop social competence and self-esteem, as well as help them cope with disabilities and emotional problems.

A love and understanding of animals can also lead to some worthwhile hobbies in children, including partaking in animal-related clubs (like 4-H), competing in shows (like horse and dog competitions), or even getting involved in animal activism--helping to protect sea mammals or migratory bird habitats, for example, or caring for orphaned animals.

The cons of creatures

Without question, however, living with animals also has its drawbacks. Most animals create some kind of mess, whether by soiling carpets, scratching furniture, or creating dust bunnies during shedding season. Most also create some financial drain, starting from when you first buy the animal and its basic equipment and going on to include the costs of food, veterinary care, and boarding or pet-sitting services when you travel.

Any kind of pet requires attention to thrive, even to survive. Most need daily food, water, and exercise

. Some animals need training; some need to have their shelters or litter boxes cleaned regularly. No matter how ardently your child says he'll take on these tasks, the ultimate responsibility for the animal's health will lie with the parent. And mommies beware: One study estimated that in two-thirds of all animal-owning families, the mother ends up taking on those chores.

Animals also carry health risks. Dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, and many other cuddly creatures can all bite or scratch when feeling testy (which tends to happen when small children start chasing and grabbing them). And both reptiles and birds can carry harmful bacteria like Salmonella that can be transmitted to children. Such caveats shouldn't alarm parents unduly; animals and children can be trained to co-exist peacefully and good hygiene can ensure healthy families, but they are drawbacks to bear in mind.

Feeling a little put off? The point isn't that pets are horrible hassles; it's that pets need to be chosen, purchased, and handled with care. The millions of animals that are abandoned and euthanized every year in shelters are testament to the fact that whimsical or badly motivated pet purchases can cause great suffering for the animals, the families, or both. That means that no matter how insistently your child begs for a certain pet, it's you who has to decide if the pet is truly right for your particular family.

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