What animals make the best pets (besides cats and dogs)?

Question

We have two boys, 6 and 9 yrs old, who would like a pet. What type of animals do you recommend and why? We have a small yard and live in San Antonio, TX, if you think climate would have something to do with your choice.

Answer 1

I suggest starting with something that is generally lower maintenance like a guinea pig or hamster or something comparable to see how well they handle the new responsibility. You also have to consider how much time you yourself will have to spend with it when the boys are in school since it will be use to a lot of attention when they are home during the summer and some types of pets don't do well being alone all day. Also, with a caged pet such as these you don't have to worry if your yard is accommodating for them.

(I see someone suggested chinchillas and I agree they do make great pets for older kids... but with them you need to worry about the heat and humidity as they don't handle it well ~ I breed them and own around 100 at the moment ;-) )

Answer 2

Hamsters and gerbils are great, but the cages tend to smell really bad if you don't clean them regularly.
Fish are great and low maintenance, but again, if you don't clean the tank all the time, it can get pretty awful.
Birds are pretty cool, especially the ones you can teach to talk, I'm sure your kids would get a kick out of that, but be careful, birds like parrots can live for 40+ years.

Answer 3

I would get them a hamster I have a Teddy Bear hamster and he is a great pet he really don't bother anything like a cat or dog would and they do not take up much space just a cage.

Answer 4

I would go with an African Grey parrot. They are very smart and love people. They can be taught a vocab. up to 2000 word. African Grey's also live very long, up to about 70-80 years. But some of the African Grey's are very expensive.

Good luck and if you have any more questions about your pet e-mail me.

Answer 5

i have a ferret, and they are great pets, i think your boys would injoy one couse ferrets are very playful, they are every social animals, they love attenion and to be played with. i also have a guinea pig, they are good animals too there real sweet, they also love attention, but u have to be more careful with them. well i hope i was some help to u. glad luck in finding them a pet.
alicia28sc

Answer 6

I would say a hamster, because they are fun to play with and it will also teach them how to take care of an animal because they will have to feed it and re-fill it's water tank and change his cage litter.
One of my first pets was a hamster named Brien and I had 2 other hamsters after he passed away I liked them so much. :)

Answer 7

Rabbits are good pets, and so are caged pets, such as hamsters and guinea pigs. Maybe even a turtle.

Answer 8

DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH TIME YOU WANT TO INVEST. BIRDS ARE GOOD BUT DO REQUIRE ATTENTION AND CARE. TEND TO BE EXPENSIVE. BOYS ARE GOOD WITH RATS AND GUINEA PIGS. IF YOU AREN'T AFRAID REPTILES MAKE GREAT PETS ALSO. ANOLE LIZARDS ARE LOW MAINTENANCE - YOU DON'T USUALLY HOLD THEM OR TAKE THEM OUT OF THE TANK. BEARDED DRAGONS ARE GOOD AND ALSO SNAKES. IF YOU CHOOSE A SNAKE, GO FOR THE SMALLER VARIETY LIKE CORN SNAKES OR BULL SNAKES.

Answer 9

Chickens, they are the best pets i have ever had, and get them as chicks so your boys can watch them grow, and they do not need a lot of room, just grass to eat........if you have any.

Answer 10

Bunnies and hamsters are good. I have them plus a bird and a dog and since they are all razed together they are really good.