Choosing the Best Pet for Children

I am often asked "What is the best pet for children to have?". That's a difficult one to answer, for many people would say that it is the independent cat most of whom are perfectly happy to allow themselves to be observed from a safe distance, while occasionally allowing a small sticky hand to give them a pat. But a dog lover would claim that no childhood is truly complete without the lapping tongue of a four-legged pal. Of course, there are those people who suggest that the best pet is no pet at all, but let's ignore them, shall we?

For apartment dwelling children, smaller pets are the best, and often the only choice. Fish are beautiful and relaxing to watch, but do not really give the whole pet experience. Small birds can be trained to sit on a gentle finger, but are susceptible to colds and drafts and are messy beyond belief, something you might like to consider if you dislike mess! The rodent family offers many different options, some better choices than others. Rats are smart, if you can get past the fact that they are, well, rats. They can also be surprisingly affectionate and are rather easy to care for. Not ready to swallow your loathing of rats? Guinea pigs are another option and the sweet natured guinea pig can be a really great first pet for most children to start with. The only thing to remember about them is the need for daily vitamin C to prevent scurvy.

If space is not a consideration and the entire family is in agreement, then a dog is a good choice as well. Remember that there are many factors to consider when choosing a dog breed, but there are several that will fit in with virtually any family. These include the gentle pug, the intelligent beagle and the ever-popular Golden Retriever, while the celebrity-conscious among you might go for the in-fashion Chihuahua! Of course, all families are encouraged to check their local rescue shelter for their new family member first.

And, in the interest of fairness, there is the cat. Often given a bad rap for being too aloof, the cat is a very good pet, especially for those families that are involved in lots of activities. Properly fed, a cat will not really pout and mope if he is left for long periods of time. Instead he will contentedly curl up on your bed until you get home. No matter what pet the family chooses, make sure it is a safe, loving choice for everyone, including the child that will bond with it stronger than anyone else in the household.

What about expense? All pets of course have to be fed and watered! Dog and cat food come in all ranges of cost, from the cheap to the ridiculously expensive gourmet sections in some up-market pet stores. In general most pets thrive on a regular diet and you do not need to buy the top of the range food for them. Where do you buy pet supplies, for your fish, cat, or horse? Apart from the specialist pet stores, many people now buy online.

Of course they all have other needs. A fish would prefer to swim in a tank with some foliage, rocks to hide behind from imagined predators, while the hamster will spend hours running inside a wheel and the cat loves to chase a ping pong ball, while my dog loves his squeaky toys!

Whatever pet you choose, most children will love and play with them and it is suggested that nurturing a pet helps develop a child's good behavior.

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