Whats the best pet for a 3 year old?

Question

I grew up with animals and I have respect for them and I want to give my daughter the same opportunity. We already have a dog but hes an older male dog and although he puts up with her he's not nearly the friendly playful kind. (Tends to run from her when she gets too hyper near him). We bought a bird a year ago but its not tame enough for her to touch and play with and We just bought her a "Nemo" fish and she was excited for about a day because all she can do is look at it. Cats are not an option at this time.

So, In ya'lls opinions whats the best small pet for a three year old?

We use to have one of those and they smell almost as bad as ferrets and also ours "screamed" at us ALL night but thank you.

Sportyhorse~ Were working on that baby brother thing.

Anyone else~ My husband just returned home from the army and we are currently staying with my mother until we find a place to move to near by and chances are we will rent for a few months before buying a house and not many places in this area allow renters to move in with pets. However once we buy a house we plan on buying a german shepard or a golden retreiver.

Answer 1

Something durable- you could go for an older (couple month old) puppy- make sure that you teach her not to pull on it's hair. Puppies are usually pretty forgiving with tugs, especially larger dogs. Plus they have the energy to play together. I grew up with a husky that protected me from everything- and I could stick my whole hand in his mouth and he would pull me around by his tail (my mother told me this). Unfortunately we had to get rid of him when I was 4 (he was around since I was born) because he would attack my mother if she took me away from him. That is a rare case though, and a good family dog (think lab, retriever, mutts, etc) usually will not have that problem.
Rabbits are probably not a good idea because if she gets hyper and picks it up wrong- they break their backs too easily. A small rodent may work, but if it bites her, she will probably drop it- then you have a loose rodent.
Ferrets are hyper and very flexible. If you do not mind the smell, they are great with hyper kids. My guy will run like crazy, but when I take a nap- he curls up right next to me.


Just a note: kudos for teaching your kids how to treat an animal. I work at a petting zoo and see all types of people animal interactions. You can tell when the parents have worked with the kids about what is right and wrong. I have had some 2 yr old kids pet and play with the animals better than some 10 yr olds.

Answer 2

I have a ten year old and we have many pets. I do not think that a guinea pig is a good pet for a three year old. They can bite and scratch. We have had a guinea pig and had to re-home it. My daughter was around three at the time. Since she has had hamsters,gerbils that we kept there whole life, but they did not like to be handled and they bite! We currently have birds which are fun to watch, but I know your daughter wants something she can cuddle. Its hard to find a animal that wants to be cuddled. We adopted a terrier mix adult dog [female] and she is very tolerant and gentle. She likes to be cuddled and dressed up, played with and taken to fun shows. She has been great! Don't worry about not being able to get a cat we have three and they don't tolerate alot of play. So I suggest a small, adult dog. The terrier/poodle worked out well for us. If you could take your daughter to a shelter and let her interact with the dog first for at least twenty minutes, then you will pretty much know if your getting a cuddly pet. Don't let her chose one by appearances, personality is what counts.If you introduce the new dog to your older dog outside in your yard first, it will help the transition. Your older dog will probably end up enjoying having a friend around, even if he acts grumpy at first.

Answer 3

do you have any current pets? Start by having her help with the pets you currently own.. 3 years old are all over the place.. my daughter is 4, and in the past year she has wanted: another turtle, a puppy, a kitten, a snake, a guinea pig, a hamster, fish, a crab, a lizard.. let her help with the current pets and slowly learn responsability, then in a few years talk about "her own pet" Any pet you get her, be prepared to take care of. I have a russian tortoise my daughter takes care of, but I have to remind her daily to feed the tort, and check to be sure she did it. If you still insist on getting her a pet, figure out what pets YOU are comfortable with taking care of first of all.. because when she fails to take care of the pet, it falls on your shoulders. A kid that age is too young to reliably count on taking care of an animal.

Answer 4

Ive worked in the pet industry for years and I can tell you that a small pet like a hamster or gerbil mouse etc is a bad idea for a kid that age. One, they can and probably will bite. Its hard for a 3 year old to know when theyre squeezing too hard and if they drop them they can really hurt them. Not to mention if they put them down or suddenly drop them if they get nipped, theyre gone. Rodents are fast and good luck finding them once they do get out :)
If you want something in a cage, I would get a bunny. Great gift at easter time when its given responsibly and its a well thought out decision. They smell less than guinea pigs are more responsive nice to pet and super cute. Not as easy to lose either. You can also litter train them and your little girl can bring it outside on a leash/harness made especially for bunnies. If you do get one, watch wires they will chew them.
Other than that theyre a great pet for the younger age groups.

If you were choosing between a kitten and a puppy, I would suggest the puppy.

Good luck, I think 3 is a great age to teach children to love animals and to start teaching about responsibility as well :)

Answer 5

What about a puppy? They're usually very playful and would be a good match I think. But, I'd stick with a breed that isn't going to be big...go for the smaller dog breeds.

Answer 6

I would go to your local animal shelter to try to find a baby friendly dog. That way you can introduce them before you take your new dog home, and you aren't picking a dog on breed, its for personality. Plus, these dogs need homes more than others. Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

Fish are good for little kids the get so entertained with them. And if you are not looking for a big change like getting a dog, a fish is the perfect pet.

Answer 8

Some pet as gentle as a rabbit? But make sure u tell ur daughter not to hold them by the ears cos that will actually hurt the bunny. And be gentle to the bunny as well. They make great pets.

Answer 9

I grew up on a farm when I was young & I remember being wow'ed by watching chickens hatching & then raising the chicks,bunnys are also way cool.

Answer 10

i'm getting my 3 year old a rat, i've had rodents my entire life and i can honestly say that my rats were the only ones that i could hold, and play with and never ever get bit. you can pick it up by the tail and they just don't bite, they actually enjoy all the attention that they can get.