I thought of a turtle... but after all the feedback, It isn't easy to take care of it. Can someone suggest a pet which is the easiest to take care of, less demanding and friendly?
2006-08-17 07:34:20 · 14 answers · asked by chweetestme 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Goldfish are the first pets that I started my daughters out with. They can survive pretty easily, and they just need a goldfish bowl so you don't have to go out and buy a big tank with a pump or anything.
Tell him that if he shows you that he will feed the fish everyday for a few months, then you'll talk about getting him something else, like a hamster, then do the same thing with that until you are certain he will take care of a more demanding pet such as a dog or a cat.
I started this when my oldest daughter was about 6, and now she's 12 and we have 6 fish and 2 dogs now! She proved that she was responsible, but it took some time.
2006-08-17 07:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My two boys wanted a ferret and I thought I had reasearched it really well. But my big concern was the smell. I have dogs and a bird...and I am very stickler about the house smelling clean. We went to Petsmart and talked to them..insane how they tell you they are descented and fixed and do not smell if you keep their cage clean. Total misinformation. OHMYGOSH the STINK.
Honestly, after pet sitting and other mishaps, I can tell you a cat or a dog. Put a cat in a litter box once or twice and it's trained. Dogs, if kennel trained to the letter, are easy to train, they come when called, sleep on your bed or wherever, can fetch and protect (remember, the smaller the dog, the harder to housebreak, the larger the dog, the shorter the life in some cases) etc etc.
Mice are kind of cool, my son had two. But when they get out...EEK. My rule after the mice is that if I, myself, did not want to touch the pet and clean it's cage, it's not coming in my house.
Turtles are fun for about an hour, they smell and are pretty high maintenance. Rats are huge and take up a lot of space, but my friend had two and they sat on her shoulder etc.
Hamsters and gerbils BITE, and then they run off when you fling them from your reaction to a bite, and you have to find them. I don't mean a little bite like a puppy, I mean they draw blood. And they are messy.
Rabbits make a HUGE mess, spilling their food and pooping constantly. But they are a good choice if you want to get a hutch.
Good luck Mom!
2006-08-17 23:49:32 · answer #2 · answered by WriterMom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a hamster or gerbil because they are quite often not tame.
A fish like a beta or goldfish to see if he is willing to put forth the daily effort of feeding and that he shows interest, and then the weekly bowl cleaning to see if he is up to the task of taking care of the animal.
It's not a great commitment for you if he shows he is not willing to put forth the effort.
Cats are relatively easy to care for if you are willing to spend the money on the vet care and supplies it will needs (including an initial spay or neuter if that hasn't been done). Daily fresh water and food and daily scooping of the litter box...then weekly thorough washing of the box. It will let you see if he spends time with the cat, also helps him learn compassion for others.
Boys can be cruel to pets, so I recommend watching him closely with any pet you get.
You can find a cat that is already neutered or spayed and used to children by going thru
http://www.petfinder.com
usually a rescue agency will put you on a trial basis for a cat or dog so if he isn't willing to show commitment, they will take the pet back. Minus the adoption fee of course, but it would be cheaper for you and better for the pet in the long run.
2006-08-17 07:46:14 · answer #3 · answered by Zoo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All pets require work...even the most simple to care for. Make sure it's something you're comfortable caring for cause most kids lose interest pretty quick. I would suggest a small rodent or a fish. However, they can be very "fragile". Whatever pet you think he should get, do lots of research on it. I don't normally buying from or taking the advice of pet stores, but petco (and possibly petsmart) has care guides for the animals they sell. Pick up a few of those to start your research if you can...but only use them as a starting point.
2006-08-17 08:40:17 · answer #4 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a great book you can search for at Amazon called 'Are You the Pet for Me?' it's cheap and it gives the pros, cons, $$, and time required for pretty much any pet out there. Also tells appropriate age pets. You might want to check it out, it's helped me out.
2006-08-17 08:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much any animal but a turtle!!! I have a turtle and i love it but it is really hard to take care of!!! I hope he gets an animal!!! I hope this helps!!!
2006-08-17 15:38:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I got a Long-Tailed Grass Lizard at the local Petco, and you only have to feed them every other day, plus all little boys like lizards, right??? They are pretty tame, and fun to have.
2006-08-17 09:11:15 · answer #7 · answered by NickelSRanch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters and gerbils are okay, but not all that friendly. They tolerate handling, but don't really like it. I think you should get him a rat, they are very friendly, smart and trainable, dont eat much, are small, don't bite, etc.
2006-08-17 07:51:02 · answer #8 · answered by Carpet Shark Luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A hamster might be good as they are easy to take care of and if you choose one that is used to being held they will seldom bite.
2006-08-17 07:43:53 · answer #9 · answered by Animal Girl 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A gold fish will last about a month he is cheap. He can be flushed and he does not make a lot of noise. Good luck.
2006-08-17 07:41:21 · answer #10 · answered by alberto 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋