Presidential pets, ranging from cats and dogs to tiger cubs and a pygmy hippo, have often found themselves in the spotlight and occasionally amidst controversy.

Presidential menagerie: The White House has hosted a spectrum of pets.
* The pets of presidents, from George Washington to President Biden, have included cats, birds, and more exotic creatures such as a badger, a hyena, tiger cubs, and a pygmy hippo.
* While President Martin Van Buren lost a battle with Congress to keep a pair of tiger cubs, Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Teddy Roosevelt cared for a variety of animals, although some proved troublesome such as Roosevelt’s bulldog who bit the French Ambassador.

Historical controversies: Some presidential pets have been at the center of major incidents.
* Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Major and Biden’s dog of the same name were both rehomed after biting incidents.
* President Kennedy’s Cold War gift from the Soviet leader, a dog named Pushkina, was suspected of being a spy and excessively tested for hidden devices.
* President Lyndon Johnson caused an outcry after being photographed picking up his beagle by the ears.

Pets in politics: Presidential pets have played a role in political maneuvers and public perception.
* Richard Nixon used his dog Checkers to save his political career during a scandal, while President Kennedy’s dog, a gift from the Soviet Union, was considered a potential spy.
* Despite an occasional backlash, pets are often seen as a positive influence in the White House, humanizing the president and reflecting America’s love of pets.

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