Most parents can say at that one point they have heard the words, “Mommy, I want a puppy… kitten… hamster…” fill in the end of the sentence with whatever animal strikes your child’s fancy. There are a number of benefits in owning a pet, but before you run out to your nearest pet store or shelter, take into consideration the responsibilities that come with owning a pet.
Starting off slow is often a great idea when getting a pet. To help teach your children responsibility a low maintenance pet can be a great first option and caring for it is something you can do together.
Here’s a snapshot of some great starter pets:
Fish
Fish are the number one starter pet. Fish can teach your children all about the responsibility of being a pet owner with a pet that is very low maintenance.
There are a variety of fish to choose as pets and pet store staff can help guide you to the right fish for your skill set. Look for a fish that is low maintenance and requires simple tank upkeep and feeding. The benefits of a fish as a low maintenance pet tends to outweigh the drawback – they have a relatively short lifespan (which may turn into a blessing if your child decides they didn’t really want a pet after all).
Lizards
Do you have one of those kids that is all about exotic pets, but not really sure how you feel about them? Leopard Gecko’s are a nice beginner exotic pet that will help teach your child the basics of having a pet. Leopard Gecko’s are small and relatively low maintenance.
Outside of a 15-20 gallon tank and the other expected necessities (food – [keep in mind they do eat crickets], water, a heat source), Leopard Geckos do not need much. These little lizards are nocturnal and quite docile by nature.
Rats
Rats are one pet that is usually ruled out quickly by parents, but we think you should give rats a bit more credit. Fancy rats, or domesticated pet rats, are related only by species to the rats you think of roaming the city streets. Fancy rats make excellent first pets for children.
Rats are intelligent and social, they bond and play well with fellow rats as well as their humans. It is recommended when getting a pet rat to get a pair of rats (a same sex pair, to ensure you don’t end up with babies!). Rats have a medium amount of care requirements, including daily feeding and cage upkeep along with regular playtime outside of their cage. Rats are good first pets because they are animals that children can build a bond with and even teach some fun tricks to!
Guinea Pigs
Though they are larger than hamsters and in turn require a slightly bigger cage, guinea pigs serve as excellent starter pets for kids. We generally recommend guinea pigs over a hamster as they are often easier to handle and more social.
Guinea pigs are a great way to teach children the necessity of paying attention to an animal on a daily basis in terms of cage care, feeding and socializing. Guinea pigs require daily grooming to avoid tangles in their fur and enjoy fresh produce in their diet, which allows children to prepare food for them beyond scooping out a bowl of guinea pig food. For those looking to eventually venture into the world of cat and dog ownership, guinea pigs are an excellent starting point.
An Older Cat or Dog
If your child is at the stage where they’ve been nagging for a puppy or kitten, there’s another option to consider before you cave. Despite the undeniable “cute factor” puppies and kittens are not great starter pets. Puppies and kittens require a lot of attention, care and training.
It might be a good idea to adopt an older dog or cat if you are looking to make the leap to a larger furry friend. Older dogs and cats are usually already housebroken and often used to family life. With some of the basic skills already down, they often require less training than their younger counterparts. Just like any cat or dog, they will require regular feeding, water, exercise and attention for bonding time. By adopting an older pet you are also providing them with a new lease on life.
As always we remind parents with whatever pet you choose as much as you hope that it will be your child’s responsibility, you will likely end up doing most of the work, so be sure that you are committed to the idea of the pet before bringing it home.
If you’re still not sure you can always check out the Part-time Pet Program at Pawsitively Pets which will let your kids sign up for a membership and come and visit, care and play with our pets whenever they like, and we will keep them here with us and take care of all the work your kids aren’t interested in! More information on our Part-time Pet Program can be found on our website.
Image credits: Gecko: jpockele | Guinea Pig: Michael_81
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