6 Best Pets for Kids: What is Best for You?

 

Inviting a pet to your residence is one of the most exhilarating, rewarding and powerful things you can do to your child.  It will be a big lifestyle change, not only for the kid but also for the family.

A well-chosen pet can bring life-long joy to your child.

 

 

Why Are Pets Important?

 

It is important to know the importance of owning a pet before choosing a best one for your kid.  Any pet that is compatible with the interests of your child is a good pet.  Pets are more of a mental companion than they are for fun.  Let us see how.

 

Teaches responsibility - Kids with pets are ready to do the day-to-day chores for them.  Assigning the kids with age-appropriate jobs like playing with the pets, serving food can lead them through duties and responsibilities.  (Of course, taking care of pets involves more of the adults in the family!)

 

Respect and Empathy - Taking good care of the pets and teaching the kids how to respect and treat pets gently, teaches respect and empathy.  This will help the kids to treat their fellow mates kinder in the future.

 

Improves health - Pet ownership has uncountable health benefits.  It reduces blood pressure, elevates mood, decreases cholesterol and more.  The same benefits apply for kids!  

 

Self-esteem and mental health - Even small activities of your kid with their pets like taking a walk or licking helps with the betterment of health of kids.

 

 

6 Best Pets for Kids 

 

All pets are in need of attention and care.  So, it is best to know which animals will suit which age group and why before you introduce the pets to your kids.  Now, let us put an end to your question -

 

Which pet would make a good addition to your family, depending on your kid's age?  As a good pet owner, you must make sure that your kids are on board with the type of pet and work involved.

 

Here is the breakdown: Infants, Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers

 

 

Best pet for a newborn:

 

During the ages 0 to2, it is best to introduce your kid to a familiar pet in your home, then a new pet.  If you own a fluffy or furry, small pet, it takes time to adjust.

A well-behaved pet is a good pet for a toddler.

 

 

Best pets for 3-year-old:

 

 

A 3-year-old kid learns how to interact with others and has a lot to learn about acceptable pet interactions. So, if you want to choose a good pet for your kid, go with good shelf-pets like -

 

 

Fish

 

A fish is the best starter-pet for your 3-year-old kid.  Goldfish might be a good choice, but it is more difficult to maintain than a Betta fish. 

 

It would be preferable to go with Southeast Asian fish varieties that can surprisingly be in isolation and in stagnant water.  Make sure you buy your favorite pet from the best pet shop who can advise you in its grooming.

 

 

Birds And Poultry

 

Birds can be excellent pets for a 4-year-old kid.  Few birds are highly intelligent and social and require daily attention from the pet owner.  The relatively inexpensive Parakeets are a best choice. 

 

Factually, India has 12 native species of parakeets which are low maintenance pets and make the best pets for your kids.   They are the best pet birds for beginners that talk.  

 

Chickens are also preferred as bird pets for kids.  They are low-maintenance and require less attention.  But it will be a Herculean task to protect them from felines and reptiles as such pets’ prey on poultry.

 

 

Spiders

 

The most commonly asked question is - are spiders a good pet?  Of course, yes.  Spiders are one of the easiest pets to take care of for a 3-year-old kid and are low-maintenance. 

 

There are a variety of spiders that are considered as "house spiders" which are passionately owned by pet owners.

 

 

Kids Above Age 5

 

Kid’s attention span grows as they reach 5 years.  They can handle responsibilities for small pets like fish, and other responsibilities like cleaning up a pet's habitat or engaging in longer interactions. 

 

This is the best age to choose dogs, cats, rodents as pets for your kid.  

 

 

Labradors And Golden Retrievers

 

If you have set your mind on dogs, then go for the small cuddly ones - Labradors and Golden Retrievers.  Labradors (or lab crosses) tend to be the best choice for kids. 

 

Introducing the puppy to your kid at the age of 5 helps in sturdier interaction and long-lasting bond between the kid and the pet.  Unlike other pets, dogs require more constant interaction and care.

 

“Goldies and lab crosses make excellent domestic pets”

 

Other kid-friendly dog breeds include- Beagles and boxers.  They are the best small pets for cuddling.

 

 

Reptiles

 

Reptiles are an option for kids who are interested in non-furry animals as pets.  Basic and harmless reptiles like lizards, iguanas, tortoises, corn snakes are a good choice for your 5-year-old kid.

 

But it is advised to buy reptiles only if the pet owner is sure that the kid is on board with it and that the pet owner can handle any situation.

 

 

Cats

 

Cats are kid-favorites, out rightly.  Who can resist a fluffy, little feline? Cats are independent kid-friendly pets.  But it requires the same amount of attention that a dog may need. 

 

It is also recommended to choose a cat based on the allergic reactions of your kid towards the pet animals.  Unlike dogs, you do not have to walk them out or constantly engage them.

 

 

3 Pets to Avoid for Kids

 

 

It must be hard to believe that there are pets that kids cannot and shouldn't handle.  They include,

 

 

Rabbits/Bunnies

 

Rabbits are small and furry pets but are not kid friendly.  "They are prey animals".  If kids pick them by hand, there are innumerable chances that they will respond with scratches and bite. 

 

Thus, bunnies are not preferred among 3-year-olds.

 

 

Snakes

 

It is illegal to keep snakes as pets at home.  They are definitely not kid friendly.  It is commonly known that Indian households do not own necessary tools to groom such toxic snakes for pets.

 

 

Indian-breed Dogs

 

Indian-breed dogs are especially useful for guarding and hunting.  Their physique is not kid favorite.  If you want a cuddly, indoor dog as a pet, then Indian-bred dogs are a sincere not-to-go.  

 

 

Best Pet for Kid with Allergies

 

 

A study in the Journal of Pediatrics says that children with a family history of allergies may be less likely to develop eczema, an allergic skin condition, if they live with a dog when they are younger than one year.

 

For kids, pet dogs and cats are the highlights of their childhood, but for few it is not a possibility.  They have allergic reactions to certain pets.  But it is not to be worried about anymore!

 

Here are a few pets that can help you combat allergies and act as good first pets for a child.

 

1. Fish - Fishes are shelf-pets.  Kids that are allergic to furry/hairy pets can enjoy the company of fish.  They make a good first pet for a child.

 

2. Reptiles - Reptiles like lizards are another non-furry friendly pet.  For less daring pets you can go for tortoise or turtle.

 

3. Birds - For kids who are non-allergic to feathers, birds and especially poultry are a good indoor pet. Hypo-allergic dogs and cats - If dogs or cats are the only preferred pets, you can choose hypo-allergic pets.  They do not shed, thus are less allergic.  Poodle, Yorkshire terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Havanese, Maltese, West Highland white terrier, wire hounds, Bichon Frise are sometimes considered better companions for humans who are allergy prone.

 

Conclusion

 

The best pet for your kids is a choice. But basically, pets are a great addition to your family. It makes the childhood of your kid memorable.

 

Not only that but pets help to build strong duty-minded, responsible kids and to improve mental health. So, choose wisely!