As parents, we have all heard our children pester for a pet of their own. This can be a big decision and depending on the ages of the children, one that should not be entered into lightly.  Children will say most anything to receive a pet of their own, but what you need to realize is that children, even those with the best intentions, will need your help in caring for the pet of your choice.  So think carefully about how much time and money you have available to care for this pet, before making the decision as well.

Pets appropriate for younger children:

Rats, mice, hamsters – Popular pets for families.  They are easy to care for and provide plenty of entertainment with their antics inside their cages.  They will crawling about and run on their wheels.  Be cautioned though that if they are not socialized and tamed, they may bite if frightened.  Children need to be taught the correct way to hold them.  These may be too fast and not cuddly enough for young children.  Hamsters play in the evenings, and if your children go to bed early, then they may not see the hamster much.  Keep in mind, Syrian varieties are better for children, as they are a larger, more tolerant variety, the smaller varieties are not as tolerant of being handled.  These rodents need to have their cages cleaned on a regular basis, as they tend to have a very strong odor.

Guinea Pigs – Another popular pet as they enjoy being handled and are very social.  Children can hand feed them and they are even know to be very cuddly.  Keep in mind that they are easy to care for, but a little on the messy side.  Guinea pigs prefer to have a friend, and you should consider purchasing two.  Short-haired varieties are easier to care for than the long haired varieties and tend to have less medical needs.

Rabbits – When tamed, socialized and handled on a regular basis, rabbits can make wonderful pets for children, especially if you have a calm child whom respects animals.  An adult should help a child handle the rabbit as the rabbit may kick and struggle if it is surprised or handle roughly.  They can become part of the family, and can even be litter box trained.  If you decide to let them run around the house, keep in mind that rabbits like to chew and they will chew anything, so keep electrical cords and such out of the way.  They may live indoors or out.  They need a home that has plenty of space for exercise, access to sunlight, and plenty of food and water.  Rabbits can be messy and an adult must help care for their needs.

Cats – If you introduce a kitten to the family when the children are young, they will grow up with your children.  Introducing an adult cat to a family with young children takes much patience, and how well they get along with the family will depend greatly on the cat’s personality.  Cats are quite independent, but they do require a daily routine of care.  They need food and water, and a clean litter box.  Cats can be less tolerant of rough housing, but that too is dependent on the personality of the cat.  A cat can make a lifelong friend for your child.

Dogs – Dog require a large amount of time and commitment.  They make incredible pets but should be considered only if the parent truly wants a dog themselves.  There are many varieties of dogs.  They come in all shapes, sizes, and even temperaments.  Dogs need training, socialization, and daily exercise.  They also need grooming and other maintenance.  As with kittens, puppies that grow up with children tend to make friends with the children.  Remember that puppies require even more work and care than an adult dog.  Be careful if you adopt an adult dog be sure to ensure their temperament fits that of your children.

Water Creatures – Fish tend to make great pets for the family looking for an easy to raise pet.  Freshwater fish are a great option, as they take little care and can be amusing to watch and come in a variety of shapes and colors.  Other options include “sea monkeys” or brine shrimp and these require very little care and can be very educational for children to raise.

Remember to always supervise young children with any animal you choose to bring into your family.  You should research your pet of choice to ensure you understand all the care they need, and have all the equipment needed for their care.