Whether they’re large, small, fluffy or scaly, your child will thrive from having a companion to grow up with. One of the most rewarding, powerful and exciting things you can do is to get a pet to join your family. But it can be very difficult as well. It’s a major lifestyle change having a pet, and below are some amazing first pets for your children and some extra tips so that you can make a decision on what kind of pet to get!
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Dog
Dogs are amazing companions, but require lots of time and attention. Just like raising a child, you’ll need to train your dog on how to behave, feed it nutritious food, and walk it regularly to keep it fit and healthy. If this is something you’re able to do, a dog might just be the perfect first pet for your children to grow up with.
Cat
Owning a cat won’t take up as much time and patience as a dog, but it can be equally rewarding. Cats are extremely playful and love fuss and attention (most of the time). You should make sure that your cat has plenty of space to run around, and if you’re letting them outside, an easy access to your home. You should also consider investing in a scratch post or two to keep their claws as danger free as possible.
Guinea pig
Guinea pigs are also great companions. Often kept in cages, guinea pigs are small animals that your children will be able to handle and pet from time to time. Guinea pigs can become distressed easily, so it’s important to create a safe space for them in their cage. They generally like lots of bedding to curl up to sleep and as a safe space. You can find the best bedding for guinea pigs that are dust-free here.
Fish
If you’re looking for a fairly low-maintenance pet, choosing to keep fish is the way forward. Not only are they mesmerising to watch, but they can help teach your children the importance of responsibility in an animal (that is, if you’re using fish as a first pet to teach your children they need to take care of their pets) through regular feeding, cleaning the tank, and not distressing the fish by tapping on the tank.
Hamster
A hamster is another great pet that requires little maintenance. Much like guinea pigs, your children will be able to handle the hamster – after building up trust through letting the hamster smell their hands and in their own time, letting the hamster walk onto their hands. They need lots of fresh bedding, a wheel for some exercise, and to be kept in a place away from loud noises.
Tortoise
Finally, another amazing first pet to consider for your children is a tortoise. They’re easy to clean up after, and are great to watch walking around. They also like plenty of space to roam, so an outside pen is advised, but you will also need to think about hibernation too. Overall an amazing pet for your children that will live for a very long time!