Many children begin pleading for a pet from a very early age. It seems that as soon as they are old enough to talk, they are asking for some type of furry, feathered of slithering friend.
As a parent, you want them to be able to experience the joy of having a pet, but at the same time, you don’t want to deal with the extra upkeep. After all, they all say they will take care of it, but chances are good, you will likely be handling all the cleaning and feeding while they just sit back and enjoy them.
Guinea Pigs
Unlike hamsters, guinea pigs are actually a little more active during the day so your child will have the opportunity to enjoy them a little more. Not to mention, since they are slightly larger, they aren’t quite so fragile.
Guinea pigs are a top recommended pet for children because they are easy to care of, make minimal mess and are quite cuddly. These are social creatures, so it is recommended to get two, since it is highly unlikely they will get played with daily once the novelty wears off. It is crucial that they be given vitamin C in their diet to be healthy, and they live four to seven years.
Leopard Gecko
If your child is into reptiles, they will be overjoyed if you bring a Leopard gecko home. These are extremely docile creatures with gorgeous markings. They are not recommended for children under 5-years-old, and even then, they should be supervised until they know how to play carefully with them.
Fish
Children absolutely love fish and it is actually quite good for them to watch them swim around. Fish are extremely soothing to watch, which is why they are often found in psychiatrist and other doctors’ offices. This means that if you have a child that is a little overly hyper or has a temper, it may be in your best interest to add a small aquarium to their room. Keep in mind that fish are social and enjoy swimming in their natural habitat, so housing one alone in a tiny bowl is unfair.
Fancy Mice
Some children grow a bit of an infatuation with mice and believe it or not, they make good pets! Fancy mice or rats are sweet and sociable. Many say they can feel a stronger bond with a mouse than they can many other pets. Like guinea pigs, make sure you get at least two, preferably of the same sex, unless you want a lot of little baby mice running around.
Dogs
Well, of course you knew dogs were going to be on the list, right? The easiest way to pick a dog is to take your child to the shelter and let them pick one they are drawn to. Don’t worry, shelters and rescues have plenty of puppies if you want one that young.
You may assume little dogs make the best pets for young children, but there are some small breeds that are not very patient when it comes to dealing with too much attention. Alternatively, many large breeds love children, but hyper ones can accidently knock children over and cause injury.
The top recommended breeds for young children include the Beagle, Bull Terrier, Vizsla, Labrador Retriever, English Bulldog, Bloodhound and the American Pit bull Terrier.
Yes, you read that right! Despite the media hype, the American Pit Bull Terrier is a wonderful companion for young children. In fact, for many decades, they were considered nanny dogs for their unparalleled loyalty. Contrary to what you may have heard, you have a higher chance of getting killed by a falling coconut than you do one of these dogs! They are patient, gentle, loving, intelligent and easily trained, what more could you ask for?
About the author: This article was provided by Nanny.net, a different kind of nanny site dedicated to the modern nanny as well as the modern family.
Credits: Photo courtesy of Keven Law.