Adopting a pet is a learning adventure for everyone in the household. If you have children and believe they are ready for a pet, give some thought to what type of animal is the best choice. Introducing a child to pet ownership encourages them to learn some responsibility and offers them a supportive companion to create a relationship with. When it comes to picking animals that will work for your family, there are more to consider than dogs and cats.
1. Fish
Fish can be a good choice for a first pet. You might think having fish will be low maintenance. Compared to other options, that is true enough. However, some fish are harder to raise than others. Make sure you know how to take care of the breeds of fish you buy—before you’ve brought them home.
For instance, a Betta fish is easier to keep alive than a goldfish. That is because Betta fish have adapted to live in austere conditions in their native Southeast Asia. Regardless of what type of fish you buy, get advice from the pet store about how to care for them and the size of aquarium they need.
Expect to take on much of the technical tank maintenance. Children can learn to feed the fish, help to pick out aquarium decorations, and enjoy watching the antics of their new pets.
2. Reptiles
You may not find reptiles very appealing, but many kids are fascinated by these cold-blooded creatures and eager to have one as a pet. A cage-dwelling lizard, snake, or tortoise has many advantages as a starting pet. Kid-appropriate breeds are content to live mainly in a cage, provided it is big enough and has the proper bedding, food, water, and any breed-specific amenities.
Reptiles have simple needs and are low-cost as well as being low maintenance. Your child will love observing their pet’s behavior and taking it out of its cage for short, supervised periods to play. Since some reptiles can transmit salmonella, they require hand washing after being picked up and may not be the best choice for very young children.
3. Birds
Birds can be a great pick for an entry-level pet, although caring for them is considerably more involved than owning a fish or a reptile. Birds are smart, and they can also be very social. Birds need daily attention and thrive on regular interaction with their owners. For these reasons, older children with longer attention spans make better owners for these pets.
Depending on the type of bird you get, your daughter or son might have fun and success trying to teach their feathered friend to say a few words. Small birds like canaries and parakeets are relatively inexpensive and don’t need too much attention, cockatoos and cockatiels are more costly as well as more demanding of your time.
4. Rodents
Quite a few types of rodents make great pets. You have guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, and rats to consider. All these small animals are relatively easy to keep. They do well with small living spaces and caring for them is so simple that even younger kids can take to it with confidence.
You should decide whether you would prefer to limit your responsibility to just one rodent, or whether you are willing to open your home to multiple pets. That is because some breeds do best on their own, while others prefer a partner. Hamsters, for example, do not mind having a cage to themselves. If you do buy two rodents, make sure that you have a same-sex pair. Females will fight less than males. A mixed pair will quickly result in an out-of-control pet population, and unfortunately you can’t have rats spayed or neutered.
Teach your child to handle these animals very gently. They are quite small and delicate and some, if threatened, are inclined to bite. Rodents like guinea pigs are more docile and handled easily. Hamsters are typically very calm while gerbils are quite active. Add a few toys to the pet’s cage like a hamster wheel so your child has a chance to play with the animal by observing their tricks.
5. Arthropods and insects
You may not have thought about arthropods and insects as potential pets. Even so, kids can learn quite a lot from watching a hermit crab or an ant farm go about their daily business. Watching these six-legged creatures offers hours of entertainment and may motivate your child to read about them.
Finally
There is nothing sweeter than a toddler cuddling the family cat or telling their hamster a bedtime story. Once your children have learned the basics of caring for their pet and it has become habit, they will build a relationship with that animal they will remember forever. Sometimes these animals are even available for adoption at the shelter, meaning you can rescue your family’s new friend!