Unique, easily maintained pet(s) for a 10 & 5 year old... suggestions?

Question

Husband says reptiles are out of the question. We already have 2 white goldfish.

I am well aware that I will have a major role in the care of this pet.

Answer 1

A rat... they are super friendly!!.. and can be trained... :)

Answer 2

There are no easily maintained pets, and definitely no 5 and 10 year old can maintain them. A cat is easier than a dog, that's for sure. But that has its care too. A parrot needs a lot of work, but a pair of parakeets (budgies) sounds more like your case. Just don't foregt to put food and water, even if you see their bowls full, they might be spitting the outside of the seed back in the feeder.

Answer 3

The Guinea Pig

First off, for ease of handling, guinea pigs outclass their pet-store rodent kin. Sturdier and heavier, they lack the lightning speed of, say, gerbils or mice. And the how-to-hold etiquette couldn't be more straightforward: One hand acts as the pig's "floor," while the other wraps around his chest. Or rest the pig on an old towel in your child's lap. The pig may be skittish at first. He expects you, like the three billion predators in his species' history, to attack him at every turn and eat him. His fear can be overcome with time, food, and affection.

Pigs are considered the gentle rodent. Occasionally, a pig may mistake a child's finger for a carrot and act on bad information. This sort of pinch can be avoided with a brief explanation either to the pig or the child; the latter is more effective. Even a well-mannered guinea pig will, however, bite a child who is rough with him. Your pet will appreciate your vigilance on his behalf, and so will the child.

Day in, day out, a guinea pig is grateful. He relishes exactly what a young child can offer: his pellets, water, good hay, and fresh vegetables. Soon he'll be squealing "Wheek!" when the refrigerator opens — it's his enthusiasm for greens — and purring when he is out for his half hour of rug time. His young owner will be proud to be such a capable animal specialist, to know (as she likely will) what all his comments mean —

"Pig wants to watch television," or "Pig is sad he has to go to bed." He will come out every day, try the ramps she builds for him, check out any new toys, eat some parsley. Pig depends on her for everything; she needs to live up to her duties.

(I have a guinea pig and he is the best pet, he know the sound of a safeway bad means CARROTTS!!!)

Answer 4

animals are great. i suggest a cat because there easy to maintain and are very affecionate. Guinie pigs and hamsters are great but he only have a lifspan of 2-4 years and isnt a good idea to have a pet that dies quick. And a turtle isnt much fun. And sometimes birds cann get annoying. And dogs are great pet to have. no complaints here on dogs. Good luck on whatever you choose

Answer 5

Hermit crabs are pretty easily maintained and can be handled. They would make a good pet for your 10 year old and your 5 year old can watch them. Set up is a tank with play sand and climbing things and hermit crabs and your on your way.

Answer 6

unique? well most unique animals are for adults, like the lion/cat which is really cool but it can attack your kids or your kids can hurt it. how about tiny bala sharks, they aren't really that big, about your regular fishes, they are cool, but for some reason mines died really fast. how about kois? no how about a dog? a lot of unique animals are reptiles, like iguanas, lizards, allirgator lizards. other pets would be dogs and cats, they go good with kids, but they aren't unique. so i can't really think of anything, how about a canary, or a falcon, or a blue jay, or a cardinal

Answer 7

Guinea Pigs

Answer 8

I hope you understand that even if the "promise" to take care of the animal, you have to be the main caretaker. How about a hamster or a guineapig? If you handle them everyday, they won't bite and they are absolutely adorable fuzzballs!

Answer 9

Hermit crabs are about as easy as it gets. Just put peanut butter in their box or tank every now and then and some water to drink... voila!

My friend tried to raise arachnids (tarantula and some scorpions) and found them to be really picky and hard to care for).

A cat is easy -- just put food out daily. If you let them live outside (but come inside when you want them to), you don't have to worry about any poop cleanup. Generally you can get cats for free out of the newspaper.

Answer 10

Lady Leo said it! Guinea pigs.. They are generally pretty gentle and they don't mind being handled and they have these great exercise toys for them now. Great beginner pet.

Answer 11

Hermit crab