Best Pets for Kids and How To Choose Them

Just because everyone else has a dog doesn’t mean you need to get a dog — or any pet, for that matter. However, getting a pet will help teach kids responsibility and can even help improve social skills. Many shy children come out of their shells a bit when talking about their pet or showing them to friends.

Make sure that any pet you choose meets the needs of your family. That means not getting a dog who loves to play fetch if you don’t like to be outside, throwing a ball. The bottom line is that some pets require more attention than others. Most dogs need a lot of attention and like for someone in the family to be home a lot, while cats tend to enjoy their time alone. After all, cats do rule the world and need the time and space to execute their evil plots against dogs.

Here is a quick checklist of things to consider when choosing the best pet for kids:

• Do they need outdoor space?
• Does anyone have allergies?
• Is your child able to care for (and respect) the animal?
• What grooming, vet care, or dental hygiene is regularly needed?
• What are the average annual costs of owning a pet?
• What is the animal’s temperament?

Some people have definite favorites. “Boxers are known to be family dogs good with children,” Heather Wright — mom of three boys and boxer lover — told Mom.com. She added, “They are emotionally attuned to family members and good protectors.”

If you are looking for a pet outside of the dog or cat realm, rats, hamsters, gerbils, and bunnies don’t take up a lot of space and are generally easy to care for. Birds tend to be very social and want to be part of the family. Reptiles, such as a bearded dragon, can have a ton of personality but are great options, according to Jeff Neal from Critter Depot. “Bearded dragons are considered small pets, and can be happily housed in a 40-gallon tank,” he told Mom.com. “This habitat size makes it easier for owners who live in apartments or smaller domiciles.”

Pets that are dangerous for kids

Keep in mind that not all pets are safe for kids. Some require much more supervision and care. Safety issues could result from the temperament of the animal, such as a dog that nips or is aggressive around energetic children. Another safety issue could be due to poor hygiene, such as when kids handle turtles that carry salmonella. Some pets, such as ferrets, may not take a lot of space but are more likely to bite children than dogs.

When searching for the best pet for kids, make sure you consider what the risks are with that pet.

What is the easiest pet to take care of?

“Easiest” is a relative term because many people would consider cats or many reptiles easy pets to keep, as they don’t require a lot of outdoor exercise. However, keep in mind what cleanup looks like for any animal. Cleaning a litter box or a fish tank takes time and must be done to keep animals (and family members) healthy.

Some people think walking a dog and picking up the poop with a bag and paying for regular grooming is pretty easy and fits their lifestyle. The trick is to look at what the care requirements are and whether or not your children (or you) are 100% comfortable with that routine.

There are millions of dogs, cats, and birds that are sent to shelters every year. When looking for your family pet, consider where the pet came from. Not only do puppy mills create inhumane conditions for these animals, but they also create many health problems for the puppy you might buy. Responsible breeders will let you tour their entire facility and not just the puppy showroom.

When looking for a dog or cat, consider adoption, unless your family needs a specific breed for a specific reason. Even then, there are many rescues for purebred dogs and cats that probably have the perfect pet for you. There are even local bird and reptile rescues that may have great pets that couldn’t stay with their original owners for whatever reason.

Always consider rescue in your search for the perfect family pet. Rumor has it that some pets actually rescue you.