Which pet is suitable for children?

For almost every child comes at some point the desire for a pet. Not every family can or wants to keep a dog or a cat. Which smaller species is suitable?

My tips:

  1. Please NO hamster. The animals are nocturnal. If they are too often "torn from sleep" during the day, they often become biting, on the other hand, it is simply animal cruelty. Such recklessness should not be experienced by any child.
  2. Mice and gerbils are rather shy and very nimble. Once escaped from children's hands, they are gone and hard to get back. They can cause great damage and sometimes only be recovered dead. Not so nice for a child.
  3. Rabbits are m.E. not so the children's animals. If at all, please only hold at least two. They like to tweak sometimes, and the often described "well-being", the immobility when cuddling with people, is usually nothing more than a fright ("I'm already dead").
  4. Guinea pigs are getting closer, but please keep only at least two. And not the often recommended combo guinea pig / rabbit combo.
  5. I recommend from my own experience - rats. Purchased young (a call in the surrounding animal shelters is worthwhile - often carrying animals are given in. Better not in the zoo trade, that promotes mindless mass production - there are really enough rats.) Also, they are in most cases tame and affectionate like dogs. You can teach them tricks, that trains patience and leads to success experiences with children. The animals are smarter and much more social than other small-scale rodents. Shortcoming: Unfortunately they are not getting old. As for the much described "bare tail" - maybe just look up. First he is fine hairy, also not as "labbellied", as many imagine him. I do not think he's a bit disgusting.

Hope I could encourage one or the other to deal with these interesting animals. It is worth it!

Have fun!

10 Dangerous Dog Breeds for Families with Kids | March 2024