No dogs or cats. She's had fish. I'm debating between gerbils, hamsters, and guinea pigs. Whats the difference betweent them? Or is there some other pet my mind is going blank on?
2007-06-28 11:17:35 · 12 answers · asked by bluemug2 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hey, for a 7 year old I would personally have a bunny..
Hamsters fun to watch, easy to tame and fairly easy to handle but dont have the cuddle factor. Certainly the cheapest type of pet to buy and care for.
Gerbils great fun to watch not the best to handle (because there quick) I would aviod these at the moment.
Ferrets are a defo no no I have 2, there great as mad student type pets.
Bird like a budgie, cute but can get a bit boaring in time with out the cuddle and squeeze factor.
Rabbits & Guinea pigs are a guddun, easy to tame, simple to handle big enough to be squeesed (as kiddies do) can be fairly cuddlery and easy to keep, rabbits espally will usually sit on a persons lap so she can just stroke them quietly. They live either in a hutch out side or an indoor bunny cage (u can buy these anywhere now including ebay) feeding is easy and keep and just a case of quick clean out once a week/2 weeks and fresh water. Simple.
Thats what I would recommend, without a doubt.
My other best advice would be to wander into a pet shop and just take 10 min to talk to someone about pets, care and costs, that will halp u out alot.
Giving a child a pet is great idea, simply because it can teach them so much, such as simple animal care as well as responsibility such as making sure the pet has fresh food and water etc. I cant recommend getting a pet more highly.
BEST OF LUCK TO YOU!!
2007-06-28 14:26:40 · answer #1 · answered by Rodeo Chick 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of the 3 you mentioned I would go with a Gerbil. Hamsters tend to bite (I still have a scar from 20yrs ago), There is a lot involved with taking care of Guinea Pigs, and they tend to be a little skittish. Gerbils are a little friendlier, and not as expensive to take care of. As long as your daughter takes a little time every day to play with it, it should be perfectly friendly and tame. As with all animals, they must be properly socialized.
When considering a pet think: How much time everyday will be needed to take care of it? Does it bite? Does it scratch? How hard is it to clean up after? Does it smell? Does it shed?
Rabbits make good pets buy take constant cleaning up and they shed terribly. Stay away from birds and frogs. A nice dry lizard might work.
I know you said no dogs or cats, but consider a hypo-allergenic dog (Maltese, Biscon Frise..) they don't shed. :)
Good luck, I hope I was more helpful than confusing!
2007-06-28 18:53:03 · answer #2 · answered by MTsBabydoll 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my opinion the best pet for your seven year old daughter depends on her responsibility and dedication level , if its quite high, get her a cat or a dog, not to big and easy on the eyes. If you want a pet that she can handle and you don't have to help her that much with get a fish or turtle. If she likes cute small animals , that she can pet I would suggest she get a rabbit and contrary to popular belief rabbits aren't rodents but, Lagomorphas. I'm a female and at the age of seven I wanted a rabbit, its inexpensive , does not take up a lot of space and is easy to take care of, I have a rabbit so I know how it is.
2007-06-28 19:21:39 · answer #3 · answered by april winters 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the small animals you mention can't really be a pet, most of them don't like being held and arent overly friendly. I have owned guinea pigs you can hold, but they are known to nip. A nice cat from the animal shelter would be a great pet for your daughter.
2007-06-28 18:50:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jamie a 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters stink the least of these three, and are the most lovey.
Guinea pigs smell worst, and they never seem too friendly. Gerbils are ok, but more like mice.
2007-06-28 18:23:53 · answer #5 · answered by twowords 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A Snake.. just kidding :)
Definitly a Hamster, they are soo much fun and easy to clean.
Also a good show for her would be Hamtaro which is about Hamsters. Good Starter Pet too, theyre soooo cute :)
www.hamtaro.com
2007-06-28 18:33:44 · answer #6 · answered by xglitterxboyxloverz 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would say a rabbit. I have four kids under the age of three and I bought them a baby bunny for easter. They help me feed it and change the bedding. Our bunny is so loving, she loves to be held, she loves to follow my daughter around the house and all kinds of things. My bunny is also potty trained. I would say bunny.
2007-06-28 20:13:45 · answer #7 · answered by krissy_lewis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
id say hamsters, if shes really resbonsible, but dont let her play with it the 1st 2 days or it will go into shock and die :(
2007-06-28 22:35:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pending her feelings about the animal but no rodents at all they anti-social and irresposnsive better off w/ a cat or dog
2007-06-28 18:21:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
i'd go fish, if you get the right kind they are simple, and help teach responsibility (feed, replace water ect.)
2007-06-28 18:22:55 · answer #10 · answered by Count b 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋