Getting a pet can be a big occasion for a family. Many parents want to work with their kids to get a pet, a good companion to help the child to feel good, and to teach responsibility along the way. But how are you supposed to choose the right pet that will fit in with your family and can be good for kids as well?
The good news is that there are a lot of pets that you can choose to bring into your home that will be good for your kids too. Some of the pets that you should consider include:
Turtles
A good pet to start with is a reptile-like turtle. Some families will go with a snake or a lizard, but these are going to include more work than we see with some of the turtles that you can choose. These turtles are going to be easy to take care of, have lots of fun to learn about, and can live for a very long time. They are even non-allergenic in case your children have some allergies.
Before you choose to go with a turtle, you and your family should do your research to learn more about the pet before you get one. For example, turtles, while easy to take care of can be linked back to salmonella. You will need to decide what size of tank you would need, the type of food, and some of the other parts that come with taking care of a turtle.
Choosing a Fish
When you want to give your child a pet, but you want to get some of the cleaning and maintenance down to a minimum, it is time to look at whether a fish is a right choice for you. There are many different types of fish that you can choose to go with and they are easy to maintain while being a lot of fun.
One fish that is a good option is the blue tang. These are recognizable as the Dory fish from Finding Nemo. They stay relatively small, with the adult getting to 10 to 12 inches and weighing 1.3 pounds. They are easy to take care of, look really cool, and can last up to 20 years in captivity, making them great for any family.
Cat
The next animal on the list that you can choose for your family is a cat. These pets are playful and a lot of fun, while still requiring less maintenance than a dog would need. You and your family will not need to take the cat on a walk or bathe them, which can make them a lot easier to handle for those who are just getting their first pet.
Even without as much care, the cat will be able to hold its own when it comes to interacting with smaller children. They will not be as energetic as a typical pup and you won’t be able to have them run around for hours of playtime, but they will still play and can be a cuddly companion for the whole family.
You will need to make sure the cat has some room to roam around the home. They need space to hide, climb and wander in the home. They will need to look into a few times of playtime to keep the cat active and to make sure they do not have a lot of extra energy during the day.
Dogs
We can’t have a list of the perfect pet for kids without talking about a dog. This is often one of the classic first pets for kids because they are hard to push around, loving, and playful along the way. But you do need to use some common sense when it comes to the breeds that you choose to bring into your home.
For example, it is easy for you and your child to fall in love with a puppy that is nice and cute. But if you go for a herding dog, you may have problems with herding all the time and if you have a dog that is a guard dog, then they will guard all the time. And even smaller dogs are going to need a lot of exercises and you need to be prepared for that.
Do some research about the type of dog that you would like to get. If you find that there is a breed of dog that seems to fit with some of the behaviours of the child, then this can be a perfect match for your family and a great companion for everyone involved.
Hamster or a Guinea Pig
If you are a little uncertain about picking out a dog or a cat for your child, it may be better to start out with an animal that is a little smaller and easier to take care of. A hamster or a guinea pig is going to be a good option if this is the case for your home. These pets are a lot smaller than a cat or a dog and they can be pretty independent when you leave them in their cages.
With that being said, you will still need to take care of the hamster or guinea pig. They will have daily and weekly needs to get done such as cleaning out the cages, getting feedings done, and even attention from the family. Your child needs to be prepared to spend some time taking care of this pet before you bring them into your home.
Choosing the Right Pet for Your Home
Each family will have its own preferences when it comes to choosing the right pet for them. They can go with one that is furry and friendly or go for one that is going to be easy to take care of each day. You can take a look at some of the different options that are on our list above and choose the right pet for your home and family.
