There are many kinds of pets to choose from when you’re looking for the perfect pet for your kids. However, it is important to narrow down the list and figure out which is the probable best pets for kids and your family.
Check out this article to learn more about some of the common pets that people choose and why they might be a good match!
Table of Contents
How To Choose the Best Pets for Kids
First, you and the child should reach a decision on whether to get a pet; it is not something to decide alone. Pets are a long-term responsibility and they can be costly, so it is important that both people in the family agree that they are able to handle this kind of commitment.
Factors to consider:
When choosing a pet for your child, you need to consider their age and level of maturity. For example, younger children may enjoy caring for small lizards or turtles and feeding them insects.
They may not be mature enough for more complicated pets like dogs and cats. If you choose a dog or cat as your child’s first pet, ensure that your child has a safe environment in which he or she can play with the animal and observe how he or she interacts with it.
Be sure to explain to your child any dangers associated with owning a particular kind of pet before taking on this responsibility.
REPTILES
Reptiles are one of the best pets for kids. If you have a child who is interested in reptiles, turtles are great pets for kids of all ages. They are easy to care for and can live for many years, therefore can be a lifetime buddy.
There are more than 70 different varieties of turtles, but the two most popular ones to keep as pets are red-eared slider turtles and box turtles.
These animals require little maintenance. They eat once a day or every other day and need very little space to live in. However, they do require special care, especially when it comes to housing and temperature.
KITTENS
Kittens are great starter pets for young children. They are naturally curious and playful, according to most pet owners. They can provide endless hours of entertainment for children and even help teach them responsibility by giving them tasks like feeding and playing with their pet.
Kittens can also help encourage socialization, as your kids may need to interact with other children in the neighborhood and plan on introducing their new kitten to them. Cats are unique pets, and their personalities vary widely. It’s important to match your kid’s cat with your family’s lifestyle.
DOGS
Dogs are the best pets for our kids, they are good listeners and have a strong sense of loyalty.
They are fun to play with and provide plenty of entertainment. In addition to watching birds through the window, dogs enjoy riding in cool cars, hunting for smelly lizards, and having good “group hugs.”
However, dogs have some drawbacks. They can sometimes be territorial and require a lot of attention to prevent boredom from setting in.
RABBITS
Rabbits are fun and affectionate, but they do require a long-term commitment. They need at least 6 hours of exercise per day in an area large enough to accommodate them (you need 2 times the space that your rabbit has). A rabbit’s cage or hutch should be at least 10 feet square (100 square feet), but it needs more room if you plan on letting it out during the day for exercise.
Children love rabbits and find them incredibly adorable. They have made it to our list of the best pets for kids for they adore protection and companionship, but don’t need too much energy or space.
FISH
A good place to start is with a goldfish. They are great starter pets because they are inexpensive, easy to care for and require little time. You can add more goldfish as your child becomes more comfortable with the responsibility.
HAMSTERS
Hamsters are an affordable and entertaining pet that children can take care of making them the best pets for kids. Since hamsters can get small, they make good companions for very young children.
Hamsters also do not require much in-depth knowledge to know how to take care of them. They need a small cage (to avoid overpopulation), food pellets/chow, water, and lots of attention from their owners.
GUINEA PIGS
Guinea pigs also make the best pets for kids. They are vegetarian, brainy and intelligent animals which also help to keep them entertained and more curious than kittens. They even categorize things, using sorting contraptions and wooden wheels.
Guinea pigs do not require a lot of money to take care of, they just need hay and vegetables, they live in harmony with other guinea pigs and they can learn how to little exciting tricks.
BIRDS
Birds are amazing! They have a lot in common with kids, including personality and intelligence. Your kids can train them to talk, sing and even play games, which is so nice on those rainy days when they’re stuck home all day and need company.
There are many benefits to having birds as pets that make them very popular with children— they are fun, beautiful, clean, and easily adoptable tiny balls of happiness.
Young children and toddlers need best friends
For young children, they need pets that are confined to a tank or cage and small animals such as hamsters and fish that can comfortably stay in their bowls or aquariums. Teach them how to appreciate these pets through your conversations with them.
Which pets are appropriate for teen-kids?
Birds, mice, reptiles, turtles or guinea pigs make the best pets for kids in their teens as they are mature enough to take care of an animal. They can handle the cleaning and feeding.
Is taking care of a pet hectic for a kid?
No, it’s not. Provided you teach them about pet safety and hygiene such as the importance of being cross-clean when changing their pet’s bedding to prevent any kind of bacteria breeding.
To Conclude:
There’s a pet out there for every child, and with more to choose from than ever, it’s easier than you think to make the right choice. The key is to use our list of the best pets for kids and figure out which one is well suited for your child and your home. Help them adjust to the responsibility of caring for something besides themselves for the first time.
