Kids want pet

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wildflower7

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Good evening -
I have five children (4-12 yrs) and they’ve recently decided they “must have” a pet.
We had an outdoor cat when the oldest was two but he got hit by a car. I don’t have much experience with animals beyond that 🤷
I am open to the idea. I’ve already ruled out cats and dogs (too much work and I’d prefer something that stays in a cage/tank).
I wouldn’t mind getting a small animal but I honestly have no knowledge of their needs.
Cleaning once a week or so wouldn’t be a problem and of course we would provide food/water/etc.
I do think the kids are responsible enough to care for a pet with help from mom and dad, but I just need ideas on the best pet.
 
wildflower7 said:
Good evening -
I have five children (4-12 yrs) and they’ve recently decided they “must have” a pet.
We had an outdoor cat when the oldest was two but he got hit by a car. I don’t have much experience with animals beyond that 🤷
I am open to the idea. I’ve already ruled out cats and dogs (too much work and I’d prefer something that stays in a cage/tank).
I wouldn’t mind getting a small animal but I honestly have no knowledge of their needs.
Cleaning once a week or so wouldn’t be a problem and of course we would provide food/water/etc.
I do think the kids are responsible enough to care for a pet with help from mom and dad, but I just need ideas on the best pet.
Click to expand...
A hamster could be a good pet. They don’t overeat so you can leave out food if you need to be away for a day or two. They are furry (thus petable) and can learn tricks. They live nicely in their cage with exercise breaks out in their hamster ball which keeps they contained yet lets them roll around a room. They are also reasonably affordable, and their care can be managed by the children (with supervision). On the downside they can (and do) escape their cage and will then gnaw on things they shouldn’t (like a prom dress or the closet drywall!). They are fairly short-lived, only a couple years, and they are nocturnal - no matter what it says, every exercise wheel WILL squeak at night.

Overall, I’ve found hamsters to be the easiest pet we’ve had (out of dogs, cats, parakeets, tropical fish, and a bearded dragon) - though all have had “easier” and “more difficult” factors.

I’d suggest going to the library and having the kids each pick out a book about caring for a different pet. Have them list the pros and cons, and then get some ideas from there.

Good luck!
 
Have you considered a guinea pig? They make great pets- can tolerate handling and have tons of personality.
 
I might do a guinea pig or rat over a hamster. I had hamsters myself, but they’re more vulnerable to rough handling that young kids tend to do. Hamsters are also nocturnal so they may not be up much for kids. The biggest warning I’d have about small animals - kids have to be taught that you can’t just pick up and play with mr. squeaky whenever they want. He needs his nap time.
 
A fresh water fish tank might be a good fit. Have to clean it once every 2-3 weeks; fish are pretty cheap (couple of bucks each), and care is very simple. Pour some food in tank, watch fish. repeat next day. The initial costs are kinda high though: tank + filter + gravel + tank decorations + fake plants. And can’t really play with the fish.
 
I’ve had 17 rats and 3 guinea pigs over the years (and cats and dogs and a groundhog). I vote for a rat or, preferably, two.

If you get one from a good breeder, it will have been handled and be used to humans. Rats can be very affectionate and are very intelligent. The 12 year old should have no problem looking after one. The 4 year old would likely need close supervision while handling.
 
I wonder what kind of a pet Jesus may have asked Mary and Joseph for…???

Remember dog spelled backwards is God.
 
Well, turtles are kind of cool, but not very pettable, it seems.

It looks like the thread is leaning towards mammals, specifiically, rodentia. Ok fine!

I suppose Otters are out of the question?

:rolleyes:
 
Rats may be illegal in your state/province - they are in Alberta.
 
it’s too bad you ruled out dogs, they really are good pets for kids

well, if you are talking about small animals, I would have to suggest guinea pig as well, they really very gentle and tolerant of kids. hamsters are more feisty and will bite easily. or you could get a rabbit but they have a tendency to scratch and birds like to bite. fish are just boring.

or a hedgehog but they are timid and get scared easily
 
Hi wildflower,

I asked one of our vets once, what small animals make good pets, outside of cats and dogs, and he told us that in his opinion, rats and guinea pigs make good pets.

He had told us that rats are really intelligent, too.
 
Squeakie rodent wheels are easily fixed with a bit of vaseline.
Good luck!
 
Another vote here for rats - but get two, they like a friend. Two females are best. They are brilliant pets, they have real personalities and I never ever got bitten by my rats - although I did get bitten by hamsters! Your rats will get to know you and will chatter away when you pick them up. They are cheap to buy and keep, too.

Plenty of handling when they are very young is the key to a placid and friendly rat. 🙂
 
Will rats use a litter box?

That would be my main problem with this model of critter. So I’m wondering.
 
My advice would say wait for Christmas… they either burn out on the idea or get a Christmas gift
 
We’ve had hamsters, cats, dogs and currently a ferret.
There are drawbacks to each kind. Hamsters die too quickly, I got really tired after the 3rd or 4th of having hamster funerals. So we went to cats, which can live a long time. Male cats often run away or get killed outside. Female cats are my favorite, they can be friendly and very little trouble.
Dogs you’ve ruled out, they do take a lot of work and need walking.
I’d recommend ferrets because they are funny, live in a cage, sleep 23 hours a day, and live 7 to 10 years, but they stink to heaven. Seriously, stinky.
You might want to rethink a kitten. They are the easiest pets I’ve had. They are clean, litter box trained, will cuddle with kids (though they may need their claws clipped occasionally), and are fairly long lived.
It’s good for kids to have a pet, it does teach them responsibility. But if the kids get tired of caring for it, it falls on Mom, or dad perhaps. It’s a responsibilty that should not be taken lightly. I’ve now inherited the ferret, the cat, and the dog, all of whom I love dearly, but if I’d known I’d be their caretaker after the kids grew up and left, things might be different.
Still, your oldest is 12. You have time for a pet.
 
The kids may want a pet but it will be your pet. When it comes down to the wire, it will be you who is the caretaker. I don’t believe you should take an animal on unless you are willing to give the time and money needed to care for it.
 
JamalChristophr said:
Well, turtles are kind of cool, but not very pettable, it seems.

It looks like the thread is leaning towards mammals, specifiically, rodentia. Ok fine!

I suppose Otters are out of the question?

:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
If only I could have an otter – or a beaver! But such animals require more than the bathtub I have to provide them with water.
 
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