what is a good pet for a 5 yr old?
2006-08-03 23:12:57 · 39 answers · asked by playgirl 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Pets make very bad presents. A pet is a lifetime commitment and many people end up giving away their puppy or kitten once it gets older, bigger or less attractive. If you are determined to buy a pet for this little girl, I suggest that you buy her something small and easily cared for, like a hamster or a goldfish.
2006-08-03 23:18:12 · answer #1 · answered by Perplexed Music Lover 5 · 12⤊ 3⤋
Will her parents agree?? As they are the ones most likely to be cleaning it out every single time....
No pet is good for a 5 year old, really. Except for maybe a rat. They're the best rodent to get as they are clever and hardy, and if patient you can teach them tricks.
From personal experience: Guinea pigs aren't a good pet for kids as they are quite fragile and subject to a lot of annoying health problems, (Ours had skin problems, teeth problems...) and hamsters are on the whole highly unsuitable for small kids as being nocturnal they hate being woken up during the day - which of course kids don't understand - and they can also be injured easily - especially if they are dropped or squeezed.
I would say a goldfish, but children get bored of them after about an hour, and then the parents get fed up of cleaning them out. My parents didn't get fish until I was 10, and by then I was fascinated. And they were tropical fish too, which are more interesting.
I'd say a rat is definitely the best pet for a young kid. Get a young, tame female one (they don't smell like the males) that's been handled a lot, they come in lots of different colours, aren't over fusy what they eat - hamster food, rabbit food, vegetables, fruit, dog biscuits...they all go down well.
But I guess this all depends on whether the parents agree first - I always wanted a black and white one as a kid but my Mum wouldn't allow it !! XD
2006-08-03 23:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by badgerbadger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A hamster is a good pet for a 5 year old. It will teach her the proper handling of her pet such as how to treat it gently. It will also teach her responsibility like feeding and giving it water and cleaning up after her pet. That way later when she is older and wants a dog or a cat she will realize all the things involved with raising a animal and all the things she must do to keep it safe and happy.
2006-08-03 23:18:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, definately ask the parents first, but I would say a rat or two. I have 2 and they are sturdy, and my 2yr old loves them. =) Friendly, clean, intelegent, inexpensive, tough pets, just what you need for a young child. And they only live for about 2 yrs, so even if she gets tired of them, the parents won't have to care for them that long, compared to 15 years with a dog.
2006-08-04 02:00:36 · answer #4 · answered by Carpet Shark Luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A magnetic ferret, look real, and move about the cage, saw one last week, my 6 year old loved it, pets ultimately fall down to the parents caring for them so, ask mum first, if its okay, two goldfish, or a hamster.
we've got cat ,rats and fish, but mine wants a worm farm
2006-08-03 23:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by littlestarr02 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dicuss a pet with her parents..if they agree,then maybe a hamster or gerbil. both are low maintenance and are good for teaching a child responsibilty when it comes to animal care. if they have room in they're garden,then a bunny or guinea pig also make good pets for a child but i think that her parents will end up cleaning it out. so i would go with a hamster or gerbil.good luck..
2006-08-04 00:03:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
somethin for a 5 yr old would have to be low-maitnance, due to the logic that the parents would most likely take care of it-depending on the house size(if small) go for a very pretty looking fish (cold water'd) like a beta, or perhaps a hampster, my 6yr old nephew has one, loves it. i have a 9 year old nephew, he has guinnie pigs, there bigger, and quite a bit messier, and more expensive. but the choice up to you. :) good luck
2006-08-03 23:19:30 · answer #7 · answered by rayne 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the parents, after all they will be the ones looking after it. I have a Giant African Land Snail which is so easy to look after, throw it a bit of cucumber every few days and clean it out once a fortnight- not for the squeamish though!
2006-08-03 23:19:47 · answer #8 · answered by emily_jane2379 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably a cyber pet to be honest.
In my experience, they get board of real pets very quickly and then parents end up looking after it.
2006-08-03 23:16:39 · answer #9 · answered by Wafflebox 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
5 year old?...... I THINK NEEDS CARE herself . A pet is not mere thing to entertain for god sake its life. 5 year old will not know how to handle and you cant be all the time with her. I SUGGEST YOU BUY HER a nice talking doll
2006-08-03 23:20:16 · answer #10 · answered by bm 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋