Whats the best pet for kids?

Question

I have two kids... 3 years old and 20 months.. We've had a hamster and.. well lets just say it didn't work out! Are dogs good pets for little kids? What kind? What are other god pets for kids?

Thanks guys!!

Answer 1

goldfish are great for young children. Basic enough to learn about caring for a pet and learning about the circle of life. Then you can progress to other additions to your home as you wish!

Answer 2

A pet is a big decision, and unless it is going to be a surprise for the kids, I would strongly suggest you have a family discussion about the topic. A pet will change things that happen around the home, and everybody will have to pitch in and help take care of the new member of the family. There are obvious pro's and con's to each kind of pet, and depending upon your family dynamic the right pet for your family will be different. Things to consider: a) Who will take care of the pets daily needs like water, walks, food, liter box, etc. b) If the family goes on a trip what will happen to the pet, if it is a cat then leaving it at home for a couple days is no big deal, but dogs and other pets will need a pet sitter or kennel for the time while your family is way. c) Pets cost money, and is that something the family budget can afford. After all vet visits, and food, or bedding materials are not free, and shots, etc need to be done regularly for health maintainance of the pet. Lastly, if you do decide to get a pet, please consider adopting it from your local humane society or animal rescue shelter rather than a pet store.

Answer 3

We have a chocolate lab. He is SO GREAT with the kids. They sit on him or trip over him and he doesn't even flinch. He will just keep on chewing his bone or whatever he was doing. He has only stole food from their hand once.

My 5 year old tells me all the time how happy he is that we have Linus that they are best friends.

The downside is a lab is a big dog and occasionally when he is outside running he forgets how big he is and will knock the kids over running into them. And walking him on a leash is sooo hard- defiantly not something the kids can help with (at least not w/o a lot more obedience training for leash skills). Oh and there are the huge piles of poo to clean out of the backyard so the kiddos can play. But all pets require some form of maintenance so it is always a toss up!
Maybe try going to the Humane society (if you have one nearby) and let the kids play with a cat, dog, bunny, whatever they have there.
Good luck finding the perfect new edition to your family!

Answer 4

I think dogs are great pets for kids, but remember, with a 3 year old and a 20 month old you are going to be the one to potty train it, clean up after it, take it for walks, feed it, etc. Maybe you should start your kids out with an easier pet like a bunny or a parakeet. Start them off with something small so they can learn responsibility. A dog or a cat is alot for a 3 year old. Start them off with something easier and maybe when the oldest is 5 or 6 get them a cat or a dog.

Answer 5

I would say that a Collie or a daushaund because they are both very loyal or a cat that's been declawed for purposes of being a inside cat ( a lot of cats will not tolerate young childern). Studies say that exposing your children to cats and dogs at a young age actually prevents them from being so allergic to them later on in life i'm trying this out myself i have a 2 yr old and a inside male bobtail cat they love each other!! I also had a little daushaund whom was killed in saving my life from a rabid oppossom. Having animals around kids should always be supervised tho your pet of 25 yrs could always have a bad day and just turn on your kids

Answer 6

The best pet for kids would be either fish or a cat. With dogs they bite and sometimes will turn on you. Just make sure you get something that is easy to take care for both you and your children. Make sure your children agree on the pet because if they dont their could be some arguing. Good Luck

Answer 7

You can start with fish to teach about the circle of life. I have Zebra finches in my preschool classroom. The children like to feed them (as well as the fish), but otherwise could care less about them. Dogs are great pets! Labs, and golden retrievers are great! They are very loving, gentle, smart, and easy to train. It's funny, I had a lab as a child. I was two and "ran away." The dog came with me. My mom found me a few minutes later. She said the dog kept me off the street! Labs are smart.

I have a whippet. They are like mini greyhounds. They say if you like cats to get a whippet. She is the most gentle dog! She is very calm, doesn't bark, and loves people. I have taken her to my classroom several times and the children love her! She is great with the children, even when they swarm her. They also live a long time and rarely get sick. Hope this helps!

Answer 8

I wonder why it didn't work out. Were the kids too touchy with it or did it die mysteriously? Regardless, if kids can't handle a hamster, then it is NOT time to get a dog. Kids have to know how to treat animals or the animal will rebel. Maybe try a fish, to teach them responsibility and how to be kind to animals.

Answer 9

I would say wait until the tykes are just a bit bigger then get them a lab puppy. Puppies are a lot of work so you need a lot of time to train them correctly. I got a puppy a year ago and it was a ton of work. But I'm glad I took the time to train her correctly because she is so much fun now. If you don't take the time to train you end up with a dog that frustrates you and you'll frustrate it too.

Answer 10

growing up I always had a dog--a golden retriever. they are the best dogs. We got one for my daughters when they were 3 and 1. He lets them tug on his ears, walk him around the house, lay on him. Golden retrievers have the best temperment with kids. It's great to have a dog(especially a big one) becuase then your kids won't be afraid of dogs. My 3 year old feeds our dog at night, cuddles with him and feeds him bites of her dinner. He is HER dog. My mother still has a golden, we have friends with goldens. Sometimes we get all the dogs together(there are 5 of them) and my girls are right in the middle of them all, getting knocked over and licked, they love it.

i would stay away from the "cute little" dogs, because they tend to bite. Goldens play catch, it's their favorite game. Good luck to you.

Answer 11

Dogs make great pets, but your children are still very young. I would wait another year or two and then get a small gentle dog such as a beagle.