Good and bad pets for kids

Not only are pets cute and cuddly, but having certain types of family pets has been shown to improve a child’s self-confidence, instill a sense of responsibility, and help children learn about positive relationships. And while dogs and cats will always top the list of animals that families want for their small children because these are pretty accessible to care for and enjoy people hanging around, not all pets are suitable for small kids, and nor are all others not. Regardless of what form of puppy you have in your thoughts, studying approximately the pros and cons of every can be useful earlier than when you start your search. To assist, we have all of the facts you need on the pleasant and worst pets for youngsters so that you can determine which animal is nice in your gang.

Worst pets for kids

While we hate to rule out entire groups of animals, there really are pet types that aren’t great for kids, either because they’re too fragile, require a lot of care, or simply aren’t safe. Here are ones that might be better to skip if you have young children:

Mice, gerbils and hamsters

These “pocket pets” are pretty cute, we confess. But they are also usually deathly afraid of humans, particularly if purchased as mature rodents from a pet store and not handled much. And while rare, mice and hamsters can transfer infections to children if your child is close and personal with their cage or touches any of the rodent’s fecal particles.

“Small mammals are fragile and must be handled gently, and that can be a challenge for small children to understand with their insatiable curiosity,” says Dr. Fox. And don’t forget about lifespans, she advises. “Gerbils average two years of life, but a red-eared slider turtle lives 25 to 35 years!”

Small rodents also need a lot of care, including special food and cages, a water dispenser, an exercise wheel, and wood chip bedding that needs changing frequently. And if you want your kids to sleep (who doesn’t?), don’t pick these nocturnal creatures as they’ll be up at night squeaking and running about.

Ferrets

Ferrets are playful and intelligent, but also mean-spirited at times – they have a tendency to bite, and young children might not realize it. They’re also escape artists, and if an open door exists, they will make a beeline for it, and in some cases, they will even carry illness. You’ll also need to set aside many hours to not only train a ferret but to hunt for your items that these critters are known to squirrel away (socks, dish towels, and more). 

Birds

Birds are lovely because they look pretty, are relatively affordable, and tend to be harmless to humans. However, it is the worst category because a small child could easily hurt their birds while attempting to hold them delicately and simply forget to latch the cage door, or they’re quite a task to place into their cage while trying to retreat to the tallest locations in a home, resulting in your little ones climbing around on chairs and furniture in the process of capturing them.

Reptiles and amphibians 

We are referring to turtles, snakes, iguanas, and frogs. These animals do not have fur (less likely to cause allergic reactions) but they can be carriers of germs and are not exactly affectionate creatures, which can be upsetting for a little child. Snakes need to be fed things like crickets and live mice, and iguanas can reach 6 feet in length and are quite territorial.

Best pets for little children

Here is a list of some of the best pets for your children:

Dogs and cats

Many breeds of dogs and cats can be wonderful pets for children if you have the time to devote to their care and space in your home. And the rewards children receive are many, including greater happiness, increased self-esteem, better cognitive skills, and reduced stress. Fish

They cannot be cuddled, though they’re unusually soothing to behold and educate lots of responsibilities from the children as their food is always needed on a daily basis. Their food could even be spread tenderly over water by children at 3 or older, on the fish themselves. Nonetheless, keep in mind that they bear germs such as salmonella that spread these illnesses through persons; so if you’ll put a fish aquarium, clean that.

Rats

Like the above pocket pets, rats are nocturnal, their cages require much maintenance, and they only live for a couple of years. However, unlike the others, they are fantastically friendly and smart, and if they grow up being lovingly handled by human companions, they can be a good pick for families with kids over age 5.

Many rat enthusiasts compare them to cats as far as their friendliness goes. They might sit on your shoulder, allow you to pick them up and hold them, and respond eagerly to petting and attention. They play, they can learn tricks, and feeding them is quite fun.

Guinea pigs

The ones on the best list are actually the guinea pigs, due to their more docile natures compared to the rabbits, mice and gerbils, who are more tolerant of being picked up, as they live typically for 5 to 7 years. It’s a great pick for 5-year olds and above according to the CDC. These adorable pets make funny purring noises, love running around and playing and can be trained to learn tricks. Of course, like all cage-based animals, their environment needs frequent cleaning, and you’ll be the one doing it unless your child is remarkably responsible and old enough.

How to pick the best pet for your family?

Here are some tips on how to pick the best pet for your children:

Consider your schedule:

Dogs require several walks a day, but cats need exercise too, about 15 minutes a day. Smaller animals also need interaction, usually an hour or two.

Measure the living space:

Birds are really loud and there are some types of dogs which howl or bark more often than others. Will your neighbors notice?

Think of your children ages:

Determine if your children are now old enough that they can become involved in looking after pets or not.

Bank account check:

The cost of owning a dog can run to $17,000 in its lifetime.