a six year old grandaughter,which grandad will have to look after!!
2007-03-10 05:15:07 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
a nice bunny.
2007-03-10 05:22:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In the pet shop we recomend guinea pigs as great first pets for young children.
Hamsters are also very good but there is the problem of finding the right hamster. Most hamsters can be jumpy or fast and little children dont usually understand this and cant catch them once they have jumped out of their hands. Also many hamsters from shops have been mass bred by breeders so tend to bite. This can hurt and can put a child off for life.
Guinea pigs are usually just over a "handfull" for children so there is some thing to hold on to. They tend to be slow and attentive creatures that rarly bite and are nearly always friendly.
I would personly choose a guinea pg, not just because of all the accsesories you can by them, but because they really do make a great pet! Ive grown up with guinea pigs and once you get one - you woulnt beable to stop!
Lydia
xxx
2007-03-10 06:51:46 · answer #2 · answered by Cow Girl Hart 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'd say....thinking of the poor little animal, because, no matter how well intentioned the kid might be......she's still kinda little. I guess starting with a virtual pet (Tamagotchi), an electronic little gadget, which acts in most ways as an ordinary pet would do. It works on batteries, and reacts to the way she will look after it. (Will show a happy face if she gives it attention, cry for food, etc.) Maybe it would be a good way for starting, to monitor how committed she is. And once you've seen that, perhaps venture into getting a real pet. Good thing about these virtual pets is that they're not expensive. And you can find them at any toy stores.
Hope this helps....and good luck with it!
Oops....forgot something...if in the end you decide to go for the guinea pig, please, NEVER feed parsley to it. It is lethal for the poor little things.
2007-03-10 07:12:23 · answer #3 · answered by Luisho 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pig - they are sweet and friendly. i have had many and never known one to bit. as long as they get lots of attention they are very friendly, if not they can be a little nervous, but still nice.
Small rodents can bite a lot, and are very quick.
Rabbits can also bite, and are less likely to apprichiate being man handled by a young child.
Cats and dogs are much more work, but would be great if you are prepared for that, but understandable if not.
Goldfish are easy, but not too much fun.
Guinea pigs are by far the best pet. i still have them they are so sweet.
PS I have noticed someone said that guinea pigs are hard to look after, this isn't at all true. Just make sure you ask your vet for advise on feeding, as well as your pet shop.
When I was young my mum used to say that I had to save pocket money for a book about the animal I wanted, then I would read it and she would test me on it. If i stuck all of that to the end, it showed that I really did want to have the pet and i would be allowed one.
2007-03-10 08:04:43 · answer #4 · answered by Fred 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well since kids generally are not capable of really taking care of a pet (or shouldn't be in charge of one), what you are really asking is a pet that a senior can care for with minimal effort.
Rabbits are a big NO. They are a lot of work, more so than a cat. They are great pets, but not for a young child or most seniors.
Fish are okay, but they are easy to kill (overfeeding, stress, etc.) and do require maintenance.
I think a cat (not a kitten) is a good choice. Take your granddaughter to the local shelter, and ask to see cats that have been screened to be good with children, are good natured, and litter box trained.
You could also choose a dog, but remember it will need to be walked by an adult throughout the day, unless you have a large yard.
Good luck and enjoy your pet!
2007-03-10 11:02:20 · answer #5 · answered by reginachick22 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get either fish, hermit crabs, or a guinea pig. If she wants a pet that is somewhat easy to maintain, and that you can play with (to some extent) go for the hermit crab. I have 2, and their tanks need to be changed about once a week, and you just change the sand. Im not much of a fish person, as cleaning their tanks is harder, even though you have to do it less frequently. Another thing to consider... If she is not very happy when a pet dies, you might want to get a hermit crab. Fish live for different amounts of time... sometimes they live for a week, sometimes they live for 6 months. Either way, though, they dont live for that long. My hermit crabs are each about 2 and a half years old.... so if your granddaughter wants a pet that you can play with, and that will live for a while, get a hermit crab. Fish and hermit crabs are probably the easiest to mantain, so I would probably get one of those. The great thing about them is that you can't be allergic to them! Guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, and other rodents make great pets, but people can be allergic to them. Assuming allergies arent a problem, you should get a Guinea pig. The downside? Their tanks need to be changed somewhat often and yes, their cages smell. The upside? Guinea pigs dont bite, and they live for a few years, but gerbils and hamsters sometimes do... and they dont live as long. So go with either fish, hermit crabs, or a guinea pig. Which is best would depend on the amount of cleaning you are willing to do, and how much you want to play with the pet.
Fish - Tanks can be a pain, can't play with fish. Fish die often.
Hermit Crab - Easily maintained tanks, can play with them. Live longer.
Guinea Pig - Great if you don't have allergies, fun for kids, somewhat managable tanks. Live longest.
Theres my input. Good luck finding a pet!
2007-03-10 06:59:02 · answer #6 · answered by Caroline S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
a guinea pig or a well behaved type or cat or dog. Rodents may be too small, reptiles may be hurt easily by a six year old, and fish are not as interesting and are often killed by six year olds who dont understand that putting bubble soap in the tank is BAD. Either way it is good that an an adult will take care of them, most children dont completely understand how to take care of animals until at least 10. Read books on it, dont just get into it.
2007-03-10 05:52:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'd go for a kitten. Hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs have to have their bedding changed frequently. I think that's to much responsibility for a 6 year old. A kitten would have a liter box which can be easily cleaned out once a day and changed 2 times a week. Also a cat can take care of itself, they are not needy and dependent like dogs.
2007-03-10 05:22:23 · answer #8 · answered by specklesanne_13 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you are going to be looking after it get an animal you would like too. A cat would be a great addition to the whole family the little girl can name it and pretend its hers, when really you will come to love it just as much. Think about how much interest you would actually have in a hamster etc... not much as they dont give much back really. Good luck in your pet quest!
2007-03-10 06:07:40 · answer #9 · answered by babyshambles 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i think a mini lop rabbit. There cute and small and she'll love them to bits! Ihad one when i was 7 and i use to play with her (the bunny) everyday! lol i Also if you buy a reasonable hutch so the rabbit isn't crushed(cause that's cruel) all you need to do to clean them out is to lay down some newspapper and then put the sawdust and hay etc on top. That way it's just a matter of picking up the edges and throwing it out :D also there great to snuggle up too!
2007-03-10 05:52:00 · answer #10 · answered by kammy r 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hamster
2007-03-10 05:25:11 · answer #11 · answered by dave a 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋