At some point in their lives, most children will ask for a pet. There are many benefits of pet ownership for kids and choosing the right pet is an important decision as it can build a foundation for responsible pet ownership for your child’s future.
Before choosing a pet for your child there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
Family decision – deciding on the right pet needs to be a family decision. It is important to find a balance between giving your child an optimal pet experience, whilst respecting a busy parents time, energy and finances to support having a new pet in the family.
Commitment – whilst very rewarding, a pet is a commitment for their entire life so as a family you will need to think about time, finances, space and lifestyle commitments to your new family member.
Allergies – when researching the right pet, take into consideration each family members history with allergies or asthma.
Safety – the safety of both your child and the pet needs to be discussed with ongoing reminders along the way depending on your child’s level of understanding. Children will need to be taught how to be calm and gentle around your new pet, especially in times of excitement. They also need to be taught not to interrupt your pet when it is sleeping or eating. Animals have their own personalities, so it is a good idea to choose a pet that is naturally mild mannered and easy to handle.
Maturity – choosing a family pet should also take into consideration your child’s age and their level of maturity and responsibility. However, regardless of their age, keep in mind that the parent should expect to be the primary carer for any pets brought into the home.
According to a survey conducted by Animal Medicines Australia, the most popular pets are dogs, followed by cats, fish and birds. Small mammals are next, with the most popular being guinea pigs, rabbits, mice and rats. This is followed by reptiles, with turtles and lizards taking the lead. Other pets can include horses, goats, cows, alpacas and hermit crabs. We have come up with a list of possible pets based on overall popularity, level of responsibility and child appeal.
Dog or puppy
A cuddly puppy is possibly the most classic children’s pet. Puppies make great family members, but they also require a lot of commitment. An older dog that is already trained can also make a great choice.
Regardless of age, keep in mind the number of responsibilities of owning a puppy or dog. All family members should consider pitching in when it comes to feeding, grooming, playing, exercising and training your dog. There are dozens of breeds to choose from, so it is worth researching which breeds are best suited to children.
Cat or kitten
After a dog, the next most popular pet is a cat or a kitten. These fluffy, cuddly critters make great companions and pets. They can be affectionate, comforting and playful, whilst also keeping the mice away.
They are a big commitment too, but independent cats may require less care and attention than dogs. It is important to choose a cat that is suitable around children. In addition to feeding, grooming, training and playing with your cat, you will also need to provide and clean their litter trays. Other considerations include scratching poles, toys and vertical spaces for them to escape and relax.
Fish
Kids love fish as they are fun to watch, easy to feed and kids can get very creative when making up names for them too. A fish may be the perfect starter pet for children, but not all fish are equal. Some fish require room temperature tanks, while others require heated fish tanks.
Some fish that are great pets for kids include goldfish, tetras, danios, guppies and platies. Be sure to buy your fish from a store that has someone skilled in advising you on the most suitable fish for your family and how to take good care of them.
Birds
Birds are beautiful, majestic and delightful creatures that make excellent pets. Owning a bird can be more demanding than caring for a fish. Some birds are highly intelligent, others more social.
All birds require daily attention. It is important to find a bird suited to your family. Birds vary in so many different ways so make sure you do your research as you don’t want to end up with a bird that’s too big, too loud or too much work. Some ideas to start your research on birds include budgies, canaries and parrots. Cockatiels and cockatoos also make great pets, but may need more attention than budgies, canaries and parrots.
Rabbits or guinea pigs
Rabbits and guinea pigs are social, curious and cuddly and make great family pets. Regular gentle handling promotes friendliness. Daily activities include feeding, cleaning, grooming and exercising as well as playing with your pet too.
They require a predator proof enclosure or hutch as large as possible to allow them to exhibit natural behaviours. They are grazing animals so need plenty of roughage to chew on including a constant source of fresh hay or grass, in addition to a daily supply of fresh vegetables and herbs. Since they prefer to live in groups, consider adopting either two guinea pigs or two rabbits of the same sex that are compatible. Guinea pigs and rabbits should not be kept together.
Mice and rats
Mice or rats may not be the first pet on your list however they can be calm, intelligent and easy to handle. Surprisingly rats make excellent pets due to their intelligence, larger size and enjoyment of human companionship.
Mice and rats are very social so are best kept in pairs to provide them with enrichment opportunities to feed their inquisitive minds. Their main requirements in life are food, water, a clean and comfy cage and a wheel for exercise. Daily gentle handling promotes friendliness. A good diet and keeping an eye on their health is also important.
Turtle
Quiet, cute and generally easy to care for, turtles can be a great family pet. A complete and balanced diet is important for turtles and they need a large variety of food with plenty of roughage to chew on. Turtles need quite a lot of room too. Turtles big or small will do best in a large habitat that best resembles their natural environment. Regular maintenance of their environment is key to their health and happiness.
It’s important to know the type of breed you have in order to get the correct information on creating a suitable home and caring for your turtle. Good hygienic habits are essential for caretakers. Turtles must be acquired from a licensed keeper or supplier and cannot be taken from the wild. To keep a turtle as a private keeper you will need to acquire a license of the state or territory wildlife authority.
Lizards
Lizards can be an incredibly unique pet for your child. There are a variety of lizards to choose from, with great starter choices including leopard geckos and bearded dragons. You will need to invest in a vivarium to house your lizard and its layout depends on whether the lizard’s natural habitat is forest or desert.
The most important factor of owning a lizard is providing the right amount of heat and light in their environment (which will need to be adjusted at times). They also need to be fed live prey like insects. Good hygienic habits are essential for caretakers. Lizards must be acquired from a licensed keeper or supplier and cannot be taken from the wild. To keep a lizard as a private keeper you will need to acquire a license of the state or territory wildlife authority.
Pets are a commitment for their life and can be a very rewarding addition to your family. There are so many different animals to choose from, with varying levels of responsibility and commitment. It is important to do your research first, then enjoy your new family member.