Best pets for kids – Pets are such an important part of our lives. They come in many shapes and sizes dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, or any other cute companion. But no matter the type of animal, they are living creatures capable of building bonds with humans. In fact, many people view their pets as a part of their family! It’s estimated that about 70% of households have at least one pet, and 90% of people view pets as a part of the family.
Here are some pets that are perfect for your child:
1. Dogs
The default choice of pet for every household across the world, dogs, are adored by most.
Advantages – The bond between a child and a dog is very strong – it has also been seen widely among pet lovers across the world. Dogs are gentle and loving, and they can make for good companions both inside and outside the house. Having a dog can push your child to go out and play more, as dogs require a fair amount of exercise as well. Dogs are extremely loyal to their owners.
Disadvantages – Dogs can be high-maintenance pets. They require a good amount of care and training. As playful as they might be, dogs may accidentally bite their owners or people they don’t like.
2. Cats
Cats are adorable, and can easily blend in well with the rest of the family.
Advantages – Cats may not be as playful as dogs, but they still make for a good companion if your child wants a pet. Cats require little maintenance – they often take care of themselves.
Disadvantages – Cats are independent creatures – unlike dogs, cats are not always loyal to their owners and may run away from time to time. There is also a higher chance of your child contracting allergies from cats as opposed to dogs. Cats are moody and defensive and can retaliate if disturbed.
3. Birds
Birds are not only colourful and nice to look at, but they also bring joy into the household through their melodies.
Advantages – Some kids do not like physically touching animals, but enjoy watching them from afar – birds are the perfect companion for such kids. The musical sounds of birds can be a matter of fascination for children, and most birds are non-threatening and can stay in their cages without any trouble.
Disadvantages – Handling and training a bird takes time and patience, and it is important for your kid to have them both. Birds can make quite a mess in their cages, and cleaning their cages is quite a tedious task.
4. Fish
Quiet and calm, fish can add beauty to your home.
Advantages – Certain kids prefer pets that are calmer, so they can observe them quietly. A fish is one of the best pets for toddlers since all it takes is clean water and food at regular intervals. Some brightly-coloured fish can also intrigue your child and entertain him.
Disadvantages It is important to make sure that you are feeding the right kind of food to your fish, and feeding it in the right quantity is absolutely necessary. Cleaning the container or tank every once in a while is necessary to prevent a build-up of waste and germs.
5. Hamsters
Tiny and entertaining, hamsters rarely run out of energy.
Advantages – Extremely cute at first sight, a hamster makes for a great pet, provided your kid will look after it constantly. Installing a hamster wheel in the pet’s cage is the best way to keep it occupied.
Disadvantages – Hamsters are known to get messy rather quickly, and the smell can be unpleasant to the point of being unbearable. Hamster cages require frequent cleaning and maintenance and skipping out on it usually not an option, owing to the smell.
6. Rabbits
The most adorable pets of them all, after dogs, of course, rabbits are great pets for toddlers.
Advantages – Extremely cute and cuddly, rabbits take their time to get used to human touch. However, once they do, they make great pets. Your kid will have fun carrying the rabbit around the house in his pocket or on his head and the rabbit will mostly stay put, simply observing around.
Disadvantages – Since rabbits are social, they require constant attention. At the same time, they do not like to be constantly held. Their cages also require regular cleaning and unattended rabbits can create quite a mess in the house. Rabbits also multiply terribly quickly, so make sure to get a same-sex pair if you want to get more than one.
7. Turtle
This pet may end up becoming the oldest member of your family, and also the wisest.
Advantages – Turtles are calm, gentle, and peaceful creatures. Children are known to be endlessly fascinated by them, and they often have long conversations with them since turtles can stay in one position for long durations.
Disadvantages – A turtle requires multiple environmental conditions to be appropriately set for its survival. Turtles also have a tremendous lifespan, so there’s a chance that your child will be taking care of it even when he’s in high school! If your child is less than five years old, avoid getting a turtle as it is known to spread salmonella.