What kind of pet to get for a child?

Many parents believe that it is best for a child to have the most unpretentious, hassle-free pet. But the truth is, they don’t. Yes, a fish requires less attention than, for example, a dog, but caring for it has its own nuances.

No matter how tiny a pet is, it will require attention, time, and costs. Like any of us, he can get sick and will need your help. Do not focus on “problem-free” when choosing a family member!

What kind of pet to have in an apartment for a child: pros and cons

Fish and turtles

• Pros

Fish and turtles (both aquatic and terrestrial) undoubtedly require less attention than dogs and cats. They do not need to be walked regularly, they do not need to be treated for parasites and taken for vaccinations, they will not ruin shoes and furniture, and in the event of a trip, it is easy to entrust the care of them to neighbors.

It is pleasant to watch the unhurried movements of fish and turtles. The aquarium in the house is your personal marine corner, which will always cheer you up. By the way, according to psychologists, aquarium fish help hyperactive children and children with attention deficit disorder. Watching the unhurried movements of pets in the water column has a positive effect on the psyche, relieves stress and improves concentration.

With the help of special decorations and original lighting, you can build not just an aquarium or terrarium, but a real masterpiece that will decorate the interior.

• Cons

A novice owner mistakenly believes that caring for fish and turtles is easy. But in practice, he will have to face a lot of questions: how to recreate optimal conditions for a particular pet, what equipment is needed for this, what fish will get along with each other, how to feed an aquatic or land turtle? There are a lot of nuances, and all of them will have to be studied and put into practice.

Aquariums and aquaterrariums need to be cleaned regularly. You have to replace the water, wash the aquarium itself and equipment, and this is not an easy task.

But the main disadvantage for the child is that you can’t play with a fish or an aquatic turtle, emotional attachment and true friendship, which all children dream of, will not form between them. With the land tortoise, the story is different: it can be petted and handled, but rarely and with caution. Despite the strong shell, the turtle is very easy to injure. So she is not the best companion!

Parrots

• Pros

The cage will not take up much space in the apartment, and the parrot will become a cheerful friend for all time. He can be taught to pronounce words and accustomed to sit on his shoulder. You can play with it, you can iron it, and its care is simple.

Parrots remember their owners and, when handled correctly, become attached to them. They are capable of true friendship.

Bright and sunny, parrots seem to give a piece of the tropics. As a rule, children love them!

• Cons

Parrots are very noisy. They can interfere with sleep at night and ring around the clock. Exotic parrots such as lorises can have complex personalities. They are offended by the owners, angry and even bite.

A parrot can fly out an open window and the chance of getting it back is very low. Letting the bird out of the cage is under strict control, having closed all the windows in the apartment in advance.

Rodents and ferrets

• Pros

Rodents are a huge group in which it is easy to find a pet to your liking. Mouse, hamster, rat or degu? Guinea pig, chinchilla or rabbit? Or maybe a ferret (by the way, it does not apply to rodents).

All rodents are very different, and this is a big plus. Almost everyone can find a pet in this group to their liking.

Ferrets and many rodents (such as rats, guinea pigs, and chinchillas) are very social and affectionate. With good treatment, they become attached to the owners and gladly go into the hands. And this, of course, will please the child!

Rodent care is easy. The exception is ferrets, which are more like cats in terms of content.

• Cons

For rodents and ferrets, simple but regular care is needed: otherwise, an unpleasant smell will quickly spread throughout the apartment.

Ferrets are very active. They will need a lot of toys and the attention of the owners in order to splash out their energy, otherwise a rout in the apartment cannot be avoided.

Some rodents do not like to be in contact with humans and may bite if frightened.

Rodents, even the most sociable and social, have a very sensitive nervous system and a tendency to stress. They need a calm atmosphere and extremely careful attitude.

Most rodents do not live long. The loss of a pet can be a real tragedy for a child.  

Cats

• Pros

A cat is practically a synonym for home comfort, a living anti-stress pillow.

In the morning she wakes up with a gentle purr, at night she sleeps nearby, curled up in a ball. You can play fun games with a cat, you can relax with a cat, you can stroke a cat. But most importantly, she is capable of friendship and deep affection.

These are good friends who do not need to be walked regularly, like with dogs.

It has been proven that cats prolong the life of their owners.

And they are extremely cute too!

• Cons

Cats are very unpredictable and your dreams of having an affectionate pet may not come true. You never know exactly how a cute kitten will grow up: a tame “bear cub” or an independent domestic predator who, by hook or by crook, will defend her personal space. A cat can scratch and bite – not necessarily out of anger. She has such a way of playing!

Cats love to sharpen their claws on furniture and wallpaper. Proper upbringing and toys solve the problem, but there are exceptions. You need to be ready for this!

A cat is a full-fledged member of the family that needs regular care, high-quality balanced nutrition, examinations by a veterinarian, etc.

If you have a cat at home, you can’t just go on vacation. For the duration of the trip, you will have to take her with you or find a temporary “sitter” for her.

Dogs

• Pros

The dog was and remains man’s best friend. Probably, there is no child in the world who does not dream of a dog. She is the best friend you can imagine. You can share your hobbies with her, she will always be happy to keep company in a fun game or jogging, she will always listen, always cheer you up and will always stand up for you, even if the enemy is three times her size.

The dog is capable of the deepest affection, and in this it has no competitors. This is a pet, the most human-oriented.

The dog teaches the regime, inspires self-confidence. Psychologists recommend getting dogs for children who have difficulty socializing. Taking care of a pet makes the child feel more important and makes it easier to make friends (for example, meet other dog owners).

• Cons

The dog needs a lot of attention. She needs two daily walks in any weather, and for many this is the main disadvantage. Different breeds have different care. Some dogs will need to be regularly groomed or trimmed, brushed daily at home, etc. A dog will complicate any trip or vacation: taking care of it during your absence is not so easy to agree on, especially if the dog is large!

The dog is very responsible. It must be properly educated, properly socialized, properly maintained. Due to the mistakes of the owner, it can become dangerous.

There are a lot of dog breeds, and each has its own characteristics. Dwarf pets are easily injured and are not the best choice for families with children. Too large a dog is also not suitable for a child, because he will not even be able to keep it on a leash. Choosing a dog is a responsible decision that the whole family must make.

There are so many pets and they are all so different! How to make the right decision? The main thing is to listen not to the child, but … to yourself. No matter how paradoxical it may sound.

Your child may be begging you for a decorative rat, but if you don’t like rats, don’t get them. No matter how responsible your child is, some part of pet care will fall on you. You can’t have to take care of him by force. You will make both yourself and the pet unhappy, which needs not hostility, but care and love.

Remember that you are choosing a family member. When you bring a living being home, you must accept him with all the pluses and minuses and give him everything for a happy life. And it will definitely make you happy!