The Best Pets for Little Kids

Getting a pet for a young child can bring benefits such as early responsibility teachings by providing something the child can look after. However, there is not one perfect pet for young children, according to The Real Owner, a pet owner's website. Factors can depend on your child's ability to help take care of the pet and the level of responsibility the parent also wants to take in raising a pet.

  1. Fish

    • Fish require little to no maintenance outside of occasionally cleaning their tank's filter and glass. They are an ideal first pet for this reason and the child can take the responsibility in feeding them regularly with little to no mess around the house. Monitor your children and make sure they do not over-feed the fish. Let you children pick out their own gravel and color choices for the tank.

    Hamster

    • Hamsters are also confined to a tank or cage and can be easily maintained, which is perfect for a young child. Local pet stores will often sell starter packs for your hamster that include the pet, tank, food and some accessories. However, be aware that hamsters like to burrow and hide during the day, then come out at night looking to play.

    Cat

    • Cats tend to be child-friendly and rarely bite. You can limit how much they scratch by trimming their claws. This is a good option for a family pet that your kids can enjoy. The cat must be trained by an adult to use the litter-box. After the cat is trained they are self-sufficient animals. You can teach your child how to feed the cat and use cat toys to play with it.

    Birds

    • Finches and canaries are two types of birds that are ideal for children because they are low maintenance, inexpensive and can be kept in a cage where all mess and dirt will be confined to that area. Finches and Canaries are pleasant birds that bring a bright atmosphere to a home with their chirping and chatter amongst themselves and other birds. They are beautiful to watch and can occasionally be taken out of the cage for your child to hold and pet.