Having pets is like having an extra member of your family. Every kid who’s grown up with a pet has fond memories of them and has developed better cognition and social interaction skills. Having a pet also instills a sense of responsibility in children as they learn to take care of their pets. It also helps their emotional development and creates a sense of attachment with their pets.
But which pets are the most suitable for children? Indeed, they might not be able to take care of the pets all the time. So, as a parent you’ll have to step in. You also have to ensure that the pets are allergy friendly in case your child has an allergy.
Below we have listed the six best pets for your children that you can keep and take care of easily.
Dogs
Dogs are undoubtedly one of the two most loved and most common house pets around the world. Their affection and loyalty move children deeply, and they can quickly create a great bond. Caring for a dog includes playing with them and taking them for a walk. Children who partake in these activities tend to have more physical activity. They also help raise dopamine and serotonin in children which are known as feel-good hormones. It boosts mood in children and keeps them active and motivated.
There are various breeds of dogs to choose from. You can opt for both large and small dogs. Sheepadoodle, Maltese, Shi Tzu, Pug, and Pomeranian are some small breeds popular with children. You can easily find sheepadoodle puppies for sale – or the other kinds of puppies for sale or adoption – in various dog adoption centers or shelters.
Cats
Cats are perhaps another preferred house pet, and they are extremely popular with kids. Due to their self-sufficient nature, cats do not need much maintenance and can be on their own. You can arrange food and a litterbox, teach them to use both, and be done with it. Cats can clean themselves, so they don’t need to be bathed or groomed too often. The neutered or spayed cats mostly stay indoors and you don’t need to take them out too much. Despite their feisty attitude, they are the perfect companion for your children. Just like dogs, cats also come in various breeds, and you can pick any one of them to add to your family.
Hamsters
Hamsters require a little more care than most other pets, but their cuteness makes up for it. Hamsters come in various shapes and colors and can be a great furry addition to your family. Chinese, Syrian, Campbell’s, Winter White, and Roborovski are the most popular types of hamsters you could have as pets.
Buy a spacious but sturdy cage for your hamster and add an exercise wheel, soft bedding, chewy toys, a water dispenser, and a food tray. Feed them at regular intervals and check their activity level to ensure they are healthy and doing okay.
Fish
If you’re looking for low-to-medium-maintenance pets, freshwater fish can be your best option. Goldfish, Betta fish, Zebrafish, Guppies, Neon Tetra, Tiger Barb, and Pea Puffer are common types of fish you can get for your aquarium.
Just like cats, fish don’t require as much maintenance. You can feed them at required intervals and forget about them. However, you must wash the aquarium once every week or twice a month so that the fish can get clean surroundings and have enough oxygen to breathe.
Hyperactive children can benefit from fish aquariums as it is proven that watching the fish swim around in the water can help calm them.
Birds
Birds are another low-maintenance pet for your household. Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Doves, and Canaries are the most popular types of birds. They are easy to tame and take care of. Buy a spacious cage and arrange good-quality food for your bird, and watch them have the best time of their life. You can bring them out of their cage in a closed space and let them fly around. Interacting with them can indeed make your children happy.
Rabbits
Small and feisty, rabbits are the perfect adorable pet for your children. There are more than thirty popular breeds of rabbit you can choose from and add to your family as a house pet. They come in various colors and sizes, so pick the ones that are common in case you want an easy guide for taking care of them.
Rabbits like to roam free. Buy cages and bedding for them but don’t keep them confined all the time. Buy them good quality food and get regular shots to keep them healthy and thriving for long years.
No matter what pet you choose, please ensure they have good food and a great place to live in. Clean their surroundings to ensure their healthy life. Furry pets tend to get ticks and fleas and often require deworming and other shots throughout the year. Don’t forget to provide the necessities to add more happy years to their life.
