Prior to making a pet purchase, have a thorough conversation with your family about what kind of pet to get and what it means for your child. “Discuss the goals and needs of that pet. It opens the way for a dialogue and a life lesson that you are going to have with this pet,” says Reed. 

There are basic lessons to be learned from having any type of pet, but certain animals help kids learn certain things. Read on to find out which creatures impart which concepts.