Pets for children – when toddlers have left the changing table and are walking through the nursery firmly on their own two feet, many children want their own pet. Someone to play, to cuddle, to study, and also to love. This article will tell you which pets are particularly popular with children.
Our top ten most popular pets for children include natural, well-known animals such as dogs, cats, and mice, as well as a few exotic animals such as a bearded dragon. In addition, you will receive a few interesting facts about each pet. And let’s go!
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Axolotl
Axolotl is a very special animal and is already very popular in this country, although not widespread. Incredible but true: axolotl is Mexican-tailed amphibians, which get stuck in their development. They never go beyond the larval stage, but can still reach sexual maturity and reproduce normally.
For a child, axolotls are interesting animals that they can observe through the aquarium glass. It is important, however, that the axolotl are only kept with conspecifics. You should also keep these animals in pairs at least and offer them a spacious aquarium. As pets, they can live between 15 and 20 years.
Turtles
Turtles are practically a classic. There are those who live on land and who live in the water. Tortoises, such as the Greek tortoise, are more popular and also easier to care for. These animals are easy to care for, relatively small, and look great. A spacious terrarium and keeping at least one other turtle is still advisable. In summer you can even take the beautiful animals with you into the garden – you should even if you want to keep the animals appropriately. When you go outside, you should protect the little turtles sufficiently from predators. Free running in the apartment is also possible. Turtles are not cuddly toys, but they can still be petted.
If you choose a turtle, you should be aware that these animals can get very old. The purchase should be carefully considered because it can be a decision for the whole life of your child and the animal. A lasting companion in life. So that the animals can get that old at all, it is advisable that you inquire sufficiently beforehand. This can be done through specialist literature, guides, and advice from specialist staff. It is important that you acquire sufficient knowledge before you buy, as turtles are very complex to keep. As responsible parents, you should therefore always keep a close eye on how your child treats their pets.
Bearded dragon
Bearded dragons are popular pets that are nonetheless found in far fewer households than rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, or cats. The reason for this is the maintenance, which is relatively demanding. If you want to buy a bearded dragon as a pet, you should support your at least 8-year-old child in caring for it. It is important that the animals have a heat lamp (similar to a swaddle heater for the baby) and some climbing and hiding places. This allows you to choose the ambient temperature you want yourself. A spacious terrarium is also important because you like enough space. In addition, they must be held by at least two people. In addition to plenty of green fodder, live feed, among other things, is necessary for healthy feeding. This can consist of crickets, for example. Otherwise, bearded dragons don’t need much attention.
In general, bearded dragons are not cuddly toys, but pets to look at. They need special care and a special environment in order to live healthily. Technical literature and detailed advice from reptile experts are advisable to ensure that the animals are kept in a species-appropriate manner.
Mice
Mice are nimble animals that are popular but should not be taken too lightly. Mice must be able to crawl and climb in their terrarium, but you have to be careful that this does not allow them to climb out.
You should also be aware that mice are not cuddly toys. They escape quickly in children’s hands. If you keep males and females together, there can be plenty of offspring and the terrarium can become too small. Still, mice are very cute pets and easy to care for.
Do you already know?
Do you already know our detailed guide on the subject of foldable handcarts? A handcart is ideal for a day trip with small children to the park, to the playground, or to the lake. There is space for up to four children and lots of toys in a handcart.
Hamster
Hamsters are popular pets for children with many benefits. They are not as eager to move as many other animals, are easy to tame, and can be taken out of the hamster cage for little cuddling breaks. In addition, they do not take up a lot of space, can be kept individually, and do not eat a lot. Hamsters don’t need much maintenance either.
During the day they are calm and asleep. At night, on the other hand, they are active and nibble as much as they can. Preferably vegetables, fruits, and grains! After eating, they like to hide in some hay.
With hamsters you should note that due to their nocturnal activity, they are hard or not at all active during the day and are almost like fish, practically only there to look at. At night, on the other hand, they are active and can sometimes create a background noise of nibbling, rattling, and scratching. This can be annoying, or it can train your child to sleep more soundly.
Fish
Fish is a good option if you want to teach your child responsibility and at the same time have a homely accessory. Sounds weird? But it really is, because you can put an aquarium anywhere. If you take care of it, it looks good. The fish then give the color accent.
Since most fish are easy to care for, all that is needed is food and an occasional water change. With regular feeding, occasional cleaning of the aquarium, and a water change as required, it is done. You can also do a lot together so that you can internalize your child’s responsibilities intensively without burdening them.
Rabbits
Just be careful: a rabbit is an escaped animal. It has the instinct to flee when it is grabbed. If it is familiar with your child and is tame, it can happen that the rabbit even goes in search of cuddles on its own initiative. Of course, it shouldn’t be forced. If the pet is afraid of closer contact, treats can build trust. Your child should be at least 8 years young to have enough sensitivity and patience for a rabbit, as the process of taming it can be tedious and rabbits are small, delicate animals. Regular feeding and a varied diet are important for correct tooth growth and good health.
In general, rabbits should be kept in groups of at least two. Here you have to note that it should not be a male and a female animal. On the one hand, offspring would then come quickly, on the other hand, rabbits often become aggressive towards the male after successful mating. If you put a bumblebee next to a rabbit, it should be neutered.
It is also important that a conventional rabbit cage is insufficient for keeping rabbits in a species-appropriate manner. You should be able to give the animals regular exercise. This should be on the lawn in the garden, for example. It is also important that rabbits have the opportunity to dig as they like to build small burrows and tunnels, which is one of their basic needs.
Guinea pig
Guinea pigs are very popular pets for children – but also for teenagers. The little rodents come in all imaginable colors and drawings – even in different sizes and with different types of fur! They are also popularly kept as a company for rabbits and usually get on well with them. But they feel most comfortable with their fellows. Small groups of several animals are a must for animal welfare. At least 3, better 4 animals should be able to keep each other company. When it comes to space, guinea pigs are quite demanding. They often do not feel comfortable in conventional small animal cages because they like to run and these cages do not offer enough space. In general, one of the sides of the cage should have a length of 2 meters in order to offer the animals a kind of race track. If the cage is multi-level, that’s all the better!
Attention applies to the feed. Guinea pigs must always have food available, which is also solid. This includes, for example, hard bread and grains. But they can also gnaw branches. This is important because guinea pigs’ teeth are constantly growing and they have to be worn down accordingly, otherwise, they can have problems eating. Guinea pigs are also easy to tame and are also real cuddly animals. It should be noted, however, that the animals are naturally trimmed to flee. Taming should not start with picking up, this should be part of the last step, otherwise, it will be stressful for the animals. Trust should only be earned with tasty food. If the animals no longer shy away, your child can slowly approach. Since small children are often impatient and cannot assess their strength very well, but guinea pigs are small and sensitive, guinea pigs are only suitable as pets when your child has reached the age of eight.
Cat
Cats can be found in many households. Whether cats should be kept multiple times or rather alone is a matter of dispute. Ultimately, it depends on the animal, because cats have very different characters and are accordingly socially acceptable in different ways. A cat is not seen as a cuddly toy, but most house tigers like to cuddle and cuddle. In general, cats are real family animals and are popular animal family members with young children as well as old people.
Cats are relatively easy to care for. They need regular food and water, should be given regular attention such as playing or cuddling, and their toilet should be cleaned frequently. Depending on the breed, regular brushing of the fur can be a can but also a must. If you want to go on vacation, a cat cannot simply be given to someone like a guinea pig or a rabbit. Someone trustworthy, whom you grant daily access to your four walls, is definitely necessary with a cat.
Dog
A dog is a person’s friend, a loyal companion, an additional family member. Often it is actually like that. A dog is also a great playmate for children. Dogs for children are good pets if you have enough time and can help your child care for them. A dog is a pack animal, so it demands a lot of attention and wants to be with you and go with you as often as possible.
Regular walks, for example with the cargo bike, which takes place at least three times a day, are an absolute must. Traveling with a dog is not that easy. It either needs to be picked up or taken to someone else over time. At best, this person is already familiar with the dog, otherwise, the vacation will be even more stressful for him than it already is. Overall, a dog is easy to care for but very time-consuming.
Pets for Children – Conclusion
Since having a pet for children takes a lot of time and comes with a high level of responsibility, getting a pet should be considered carefully. Some pets need more time to look after them, for example, to keep the aquarium or terrarium clean, while other animals need “more time for two” for things like cuddling or going for a walk.
If you come to the conclusion that you can find the time and take responsibility, then a pet can be a sensible “acquisition” for the whole family. This is how having a pet for children helps against stress, bad mood, and loneliness. It can also have a positive effect on the fitness of individual family members and the younger family members learn to take responsibility.
