My 6 year old wants a pet. What's a low maintenance pet?

Answer 1

Try a gold fish or Betta or maybe some sea monkeys. I wouldn't go for anything like a gerbil or hamster yet unless your 6 year old is very responsible and knows how to clean the cage and feed the little rodent.

Answer 2

I think a great idea would be to buy two gerbils. If you handle them often, they are friendly and curious. It is also entertaining to watch the two play together in the cage. Since they are from the desert, they urinate less than some of the other small rodents. They are social animals and that's why it's a good idea to get a pair. Also, if you don't have time to play with them everyday that's okay because they can keep eachother entertained. The maintenance is low, but with any animal comes responsibility. Make sure the gerbils have lots of chew toys. Always make sure they have fresh water and clean out their bedding once a week. I always had gerbils when I was younger and they were a great match for me. Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Hamsters are nocturnal and too small for a young child that may be unknowingly rough. You'd hate to see your child upset because he dropped it or squeezed it too tight. Even if he did manage to treat a small animal with a gentle touch, a pet that sleeps all day is no fun.

Fish are the perfect answer. Goldfish won't require a heater for their tank or bowl. You'll just have to be sure that you don't put the bowl too close to a source of heat (like on top of the television - it gets too warm). You can find the little guys in some pretty interesting colors with double fan tails, big bulbous eyes and get some neat little shipwreaks and pirates for underwater decor. Kids will have fun just picking some of those things out. Maybe a cave that the fish can hide in too? Goldfish flakes are pretty inexpensive. If the fish die, it will be very easy to replace them without children even knowing.

As for the maintanence, keep a small pail just for the water changing process (if you don't over feed the goldfish, it won't be necessary to change the water very often). Fill the pail with tap water and allow it to sit overnight. This will allow any chlorine in the tap water to evaporate and allow the water to come to room temperature. Then you can net the fish and place it in the pail, clean the bowl and the decorations (Jack Sparrow Pirate) and return the fish and the water from the pail. It really is simple and takes little time. Hint: rubber gloves for cleaning the bowl and no yuck!

Answer 4

It really depends on how much you want to put into the pet. Something that's really fun and doesn't require a lot of maintence is a Salamander. Go to a local fishing supply store that sells live bait. They should have them in mudpuppy form (or at least they do around here). They have feathery gills and they will turn into a salamander that's very fun to watch. I had one when I was little and I don't think it got nearly enough food as it needed and it still lived a good 2-3 years (I can't remember exactly how long it was). They eat live worms and crickets, so that might be a little drawback if that's not really your thing.

Fish are fun, but you have to be really good at switching out fish. I had about 10 "Flounders" ...I know they aren't expensive, but it is tedious to switch out fish a lot. They are tolerant, and low maintence, but still have high requirements (temperature, water content, food).

If you're willing to feed, a bunny would also make a good pet. They don't have to be taken to the vet, like dogs and cats, and they are very easy going for smaller children. They require a lot more of parents though, but if you keep them outside, you can keep then in a wire bottomed cage and will never have to change shavings. If you want them inside they are remarkably easy to potty train, and then you just have a small litter pan to clean every few days.

Answer 5

No pets are really low maintenance. They all need feeding and watering and cleaning up after. :) You might look into getting either a hamster or guinea pig. Maybe an iguana or lizard. Some kind of pet that is kept in a cage that will make it easier for your child to clean and look after.

Answer 6

GET A RAT, They're soooo cute and friendly and they love you so much. They're also interesting, they love to play with you, you can teach them tricks and they curl up and sleep on you if they're tired. You can carry them around everywhere with you on your shoulder and they are so easy to look after, and so cheap, it's unbelieveable. Rats will actually love you, unlike most pets, like fish and hamsters and mice. All you have to do is buy a cage and clean it every week. Be sure to get a cage that is easy to clean out, practically a square box you put the newspaper in the bottom and can just hose off when dirty. Feed them every night, with your dinner leftovers, meat, veggies and some cheap rat food you can buy at the shop. Remember if you buy a rat for a child, you'll have to buy one that was reared from birth, or a baby one that hasn't gotten too close to their parents, otherwise they could bite. If you buy a hand reared one or a baby one, they would never bite and would be able to pick up straight away. Don't buy an adult one that hasn't been desensitised to humans. I also advise to buy two, (prefferably two sisters) as they keep eachother company. Also buy girls (Make sure they're not pregnant), they're much cuter and don't pee everywhere.

Answer 7

A Goldfish Is The Best For A 6 Year Old , They Don't Cost Much And You Only Need To Clean Them 1 A Week ... Remember And Tell Us What He/She Gets !

Answer 8

A low maintenance pet is a goldfish

Answer 9

very low maintenance a fish
but next up the list a hamster or gerbil,cause im sure he would like a pet he can hold,as long as he doesn't play rough.

Answer 10

A fish/
A Hamster/
A Rabbit/

I think it's a great idea to get a pet and let your 6 yr old get used to animals. Remember though that all pets need alot of care. I think children like pets that they can stroke best :)

Good luck x
:)