2006-12-12 21:47:44 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
A four year old is really too young for a pet. They are not old enough to take responsibility for caring for the pet and they do not understand when they play a bit too rough. They can hurt an animal and really not mean to. Then the child has to live with that. Maybe a fish tank would be nice with pretty fish for her to watch would be a better choice. And you could feed them together. Even a fish bowl with a big fat funny looking gold fish.
2006-12-12 22:16:02 · answer #1 · answered by skooter 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can't speak for rats (although I would love a pair) but guinea pigs can be great pets. However, they will be your responsibility. Your child may very well lose interest, so you must sure this is a pet that you want to take of. This means:
- Cleaning the cage at least once a week.
- Providing proper housing (see http://www.guineapigcages.com)
- Providing them with a proper diet- Pellets & an unlimited supply hay, plus a daily feeding of vegetables (not just "a carrot")
- Taking them to an exotic vet when necessary. (And being prepared to spend the money for medical care.)
- Showing your daughter how to handle them properly, & not allowing her to play with them unsupervised.
(The same applies for rats, although their diet & housing is different.)
The average life span of a rat (around 3 years) is shorter then that of a guinea pig (around 5-7 years) so that should be taken into consideration as well.
There are many guinea pigs (& rats) available in rescues. The advantage of this is that you can also find out about their personalities before adopting. If you want a more laid back, cuddly pet for your daughter, it's easier to find one through a rescue.
I'd also like to add that regardless of what your choose, guinea pigs & rats are social animals. They should always be housed with a companion of their own sort.
2006-12-13 10:16:50 · answer #2 · answered by citronsoul 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The rat would be good, but like many people before said, rats only live for like three years, guinea pigs live around the same amount of time. I would go with the rat because they climb, and are alot more fun to watch. Just be aware that which ever one you get, you will be the one cleaning out the cage every week, and feeding it, at least until your daughter gets older.
2006-12-13 07:34:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I got two guinea for my daughter, they have never tried to bite. Yes they smell but all small animals smell, they do need a large cage, but they are very fun. They squeal when we walk in the room and they come over and see us through the cage. They are a great pet for young kids, just realize that you are going to be doing most of the maintenance on them. Rats on the other hand really smell and they do bite, plus in my opinion they are kinda creepy. Good Luck
2006-12-13 10:07:17 · answer #4 · answered by mom-of-2 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
rats and guinea pigs make noise but a guinea pig squeals MUCH more and more often than a rat if that matters. i, for my five and six year olds, would get a rat but beware they only live around three years and when she is seven, you will have to explain why Robert Rat went to heaven. If you can tolerate these animals, why not get a cat? they are litter trained and live 20 some years. or would you rather have something in a cage? plus a cat can interact with the whole family. a cat is more expensive but if you're willing to tolerate vermin, why not get a cat, you just clean it 's litter box and it's a whole lot better than cleaning a cage. we tried the rat and guinea pig thing and now we have two cats, one for each kid to love.
plus, believe it or not, but my five year old even feeds and waters the cats!
2006-12-13 06:09:10 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, both of the animals you mentioned are social animals, so you would need a pair of each.
I tend to agree with the other commenters, a 4 year old is not ready for a pet. We see many pets abandoned and abused because "my child didn't take care of it", and the child in question is between 3-9. Children just don't have the stamina and attention span to have a life put into their hands. If you want her to enjoy interacting with a pet, get a family pet, that mom and dad are responsible for, and teach her to help you.
Putting her in charge of a pet is unfair to both her and the animals.
2006-12-13 06:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by Lotus Effect 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A four year old is not old enough to have the responsibility of a pet. You can get what you want for a pet as you will be the one doing the feeding and cleaning up after it. What ever pet you decide on you can begin to teach your daughter about caring for the pet. Help her feed the animal and show her how to handle pets.
2006-12-13 06:19:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your four year old daughter should not have either animal as a pet. Both are varmits which have the potential to carry infectious diseases that a young girl should not be exposed to yet. What if they bite her??? She does not understand that they can bite and scratch her. Are you willing to put your little girl in that situation? Wait until she is older if you have to get one of these things. Otherwise get a dog, she will enjoy a dog much longer.
2006-12-13 13:57:29 · answer #8 · answered by sicdelsolsi 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you get a pet, please understand that you are getting it for the family, not for your daughter. She's too young, and may very well lose interest in the animal.
Both make nice pets, but will appreciate lots of attention an will need to have their cages cared for on a regular basis.
2006-12-13 16:14:34 · answer #9 · answered by ez_cheez 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we got our 4 yr old son rabbits he helps fed an fill their water bottles we got them young they have matured quicker than him but have adapted to him very well an they seem to love him as much as he likes them he had a guinea pig but she only lived a little over a yr she was an adult when we got her but the vet said the life span for them isnt long anyway i think he said up to 3 yrs but the rabbiits if cared for right can live up to 8 yrs from what our vet says but i went with bunnies after doing lots of research
2006-12-13 13:19:24 · answer #10 · answered by misty w 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋