2006-10-01 13:23:50 · 22 answers · asked by LESLEY A 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Get fish to start. They can interact with it by feeding and if they forget it won't be such a huge deal. If they become responsible with that, move up to a cat. Just make sure that they know the ins and outs of pet ownership, care, love, etc. Also, make sure to get a pet that if they don't take care of you won't mind taking over!
2006-10-01 13:29:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to help them take care of the pet, then I would say a small/medium sized dog would be good (like a terrier or some indoor dog like that). They are playful and can keep your high-energy children busy. If you are not going to help them take care of it (meaning doing most of the work for children so young and teaching them) then don't get a pet.
Whatever you do, do not get a bird (WAY to high maintenance) or a reptile or amphibian (also lots of work).
Cats can be aggressive with small children (more so than gentle dog breeds) and may swipe or bite at the children (removing the claws and teeth of cats is immoral and wrong so if you do get a cat and it ends up being aggressive towards the kids then please just put it up for adoption and don't do the cruel thing that many owners do). I repeat: Declawing is inhumane. Cats are fine pets but sometimes have less patience with children.
An energetic dog that is around the same size as the children (so neither the dog nor the child gets hurt) could be fun for the kids if you have the time and can take care of it.
The fish option would be good too. Gold fish and Beta fish don't need a large tank (a big fish bowl is good [not too big, not too small]) and are easy to take care of and usually don't need filters (you just have to put the fish in a temporary container while you rinse and clean the tank/bowl). However, children may try to reach their hands in the tanks (being curious and all that) and may harm the fish or catch some a bacteria the fish is carrying and get sick.
I'm all for the dog option!
2006-10-01 20:43:30 · answer #2 · answered by Serious 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are still very young to have their own pets but as long as you realize you'll be the one doing all the feeding & cleaning. It should be fine.
Make sure to supervise them with the pet at all times.
Guinea Pigs, Fancy Mice, Rabbits all make wonderful first pets and are good because they are contained to one area. Just research about the animal you decide to buy to make sure you can provide it with the right food & care. They are all small & can easily be hand tamed. They are interactive.
Fish would also be another option. However, they can be boring to kids as you can't pat them or play with them. Birds are another idea you might want to look into, But they are not very low maintenance. If you are willing to put in the time, a family dog would be ideal. The kids will grow up with it! But I'm a little biased as I love dogs.
A cat could also work well. They are playful yet fairly low maintenance. Once again, make sure your children are always under supervision when playing/interacting with animals. Children & Pets can both be unpredictable in new situations.
2006-10-01 20:30:29 · answer #3 · answered by TaMaRsBaR 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how you expect your small children to interract with the pet and how much time/effort you have to invest in its care.
If you want them to play with and grow up with a pet, then get a gentler breed of dog. Research the breeds on the AKC website. I'd avoid a pet from the pound (unknown emotional problems you don't want to handle with small children!) and older animals that might not appreciate rough and tumbling. If you have a fenced in yard, think about a golden retriever or lab.
A cat is great, but check allergies. Get it spayed, its front paws declawed and keep it indoors.
Any pet that's contained, like a bird, hamster/gerbil/rabbit or a fish must be kept out of their hands unless you are personally supervising every moment your children spend with the pet. Small children can maim and kill a fragile pet without meaning to and the emotional stress in your life when that happens (and it will) probably isn't something you need or want. Remember, almost any animal (other than fish, of course) will bite when provoked or threatened.
You will be caring for whatever pet you get, not your children. They will enjoy having it around, but the burden of its feeding, watering, bathing, water changing, cage maintenance, litter box cleaning, walking, and vet visits are on your shoulders. They are too young to shoulder a pet's needs yet.
2006-10-01 20:42:52 · answer #4 · answered by Mmerobin 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First & foremost you should consider what type of pet you as a
parent are willing to care for when your children are not, as this
has often proven to be an added daily burden for the uninformed.
Secondly, you will want to consider the safety of your children
and for the pet as well. For instance, some parents choose a caged pet such as a hamster or gerbil thus protecting the pet
from to much mishandling or "over-excitement". While others
prefer more longevity in the pet's lifespan such as a dog or cat
thus saving the children the grief of a loved one dying. Last but
not least you will want to consider for all family members the
potential for health problems such as allergies,scratches,bites,
living conditions, etc.,etc. Remember, do not let your children
have the final say as you the parent are ultimately the one who
will decide how best to teach them the responsibilities when
caring for another living being. Best wishes in your search for
finding the "right fit" for all!
2006-10-01 21:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by Jay D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The easiest pet to take care of are fish and I would recommend that. They can have expensive start up costs if you go too big so start off small or medium size. Read up first on fish care, because if you don't do certain things right you are just going to kill the fish. I would also recommend fresh water, stay away from salt unless it's something you really want. Salt water tanks are way more difficult to take care of.
If you want something they can interact with and play with, then it's personal preference. Cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, guinea pig etc. I personally prefer a dog.
However a fish doesn't need to be walked every day, you don't have to train them on anything, and despite what a lot of people think, you can go a couple of days without feeding them and it doesn't harm them.
2006-10-01 20:39:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suggest when you get a pet to be sure that you want to take care of it. Guinea pigs are not good pets for children that age.
2006-10-01 20:27:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go with fish. Easy to take care of, a 2 year old cant accidentally crush it (it happend to me), they are easily replaced and provide tons of entertainment. Once they get a little older a small mouse, hamster or rat would be a great pet.
2006-10-01 20:35:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a cat, they arent huge amounts of work like walking them and picking up after them, you only have to feed them and give them attention. They are not easy to harm like small rodents which i dont reccomend for small children. They also help children learn how to treat animals as they wont take abuse from children.
2006-10-01 20:37:13 · answer #9 · answered by Dylan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest a puppy who has just as much energy as your children, but the problem with that is housetraining it. a small goldfish might be the best idea for a first pet.
2006-10-01 20:33:27 · answer #10 · answered by pantera 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋