Ideal pet for a toddler?

Shiny.Side.Up

Hi guys,

We have a large amount of the care for my neice, who is now 2 and a half. She shows a great interest in pets, and loves caring for our dog and our savannah monitor, but beither give her the chance to really experience pet "care" - She's aware that they need feeding, the lizard needs his lights on and such, but we went to take it a step further.

We are thinking of getting her her own small animal. Something she can handle and will tolerate it (She is taught respect for animals; We don't pull, poke, tug, etc so it wouldn't be "rough" handling), something that's easy to care for so that she can join in with the cleaning out and such and something that we can easily care for when she's not here.

We were thinking of a hamster but my memory of such is that they can turn quite quickly. We don't want a mouse.

Does anyone have any suggestions? We were thinking of a dwarf lop rabbit, but are they really happy in one of those large plastic indoor cages? We don't really want an outdoor hutch!

mrcol1000

How about a couple of gerbils? I had two when I was young and they are fasnicating to watch. Although they only come out in the evenings when I guess she'll be in bed. They also only need feeding once a day and water bottle changing once a day and cleaning out once a week. They were not trouble at all.
I have no experience but what about a ferret or a guinea pig? They are sort of in the middle of hamsters and rabbits?

Notsosharp

Hiya,

I wouldn't get a rabbit for a child, I have two and they almost take more looking after than both my cats and dogs. If uneutered they can also get very very moody and tempremental esp the girlies! I have guinea pigs and would recommend them as a pet though you would probably need to get two because they love company. They don't take much looking after except the changing of the cages etc and are relatively cheap to feed. Mine mostly live off the grass I pick for them and they love dandelion leaves too!

Failing that would you consider a pair of fancty rats? I have had them in the past and loved them to bits! They can get very tame and I had one that used to sit on my shoulder and watch telly with me.

Rummer

Guinea pigs are perfect as they are large enough to hold and if handled regularly are very friendly. Our talk to us all the time and are great with our daughter. If you get them from a breeder you can choose one well handled with a great temperament and they are not expensive.

foreign_correspondent

Realistically, at two and a half she is too young for a pet of her own, as it is clear you are aware - so what you really need something that you are prepared and able to take full responsiliblty for and that she can feed and handle.

Although she may well be aware of the need to be gentle, motor skills are not that well developed in young children, and often toddlers can exert more pressure than they mean to, especially when trying to stop a fast moving animal, such as a mouse of hamster tries to make a dash for freedom.

I would certainly not advise ferrets, as they are predators, and although they can be fab and very tame, they will defend themselves if they feel treatened, and have very sharp teets and strong jaws.

Maybe a guinea pig - but look for a well handled one, as Rummer suggests.

loobyloo2

I would definately go for a guinea pig above anything else.
We have had the usual, rabbits, hamsters, goldfish, and even stick insects (a friend bought them after a day out with my kids:mad: , I don't do insects).

But the most lovely of them all, was the guinea pig that we rehomed along with his companion rabbit.

A word of caution though, do check that she doesn't have an allergy to the fur, one of my daughters could not pick up the rabbit as she reacted quite badly to his fur, though she has been fine with everything else
HTH

Raksha

I agree with Foreign Correspondent above. She is too young - small fast moving animals such as gerbils may encourage her to grab (and squeeze), large animals (such as rabbits/GP's) have powerful teeth which can cause nasty injuries, rabbits can kick out in panic, hurting themselves and their young owners.

My suggestion would be a domestic rat - if well handled they are very gentle and love company.

Nordictat2

Rats make nice pets sometimes but rats are not for everyone as pets heh. I would say Guinea pigs or some really pretty looking fish. No she can't hold fish but they are neat to watch sometimes

f1re_cr4cker

id say a rat, guinea pig or a Degu. all need to be kept in pairs though as they getlonely otherwise

Paparika

I'd agree with FC, she is too young.

But saying that why not sea monkeys, as she can watch them grow etc....

foreign_correspondent

How about a pair of chickens for in the garden - they can be quite friendly, are pretty to look at, and produce eggs!

They are also less likely to be handled in the same way as a small mammal is, as they are a bit big to try and pick up and squeeze, and they cant bite, though they can give a nasty peck! However, they need feeding and care and can be used to teach children a lot about animals and the food chain etc!