If you have young children, then you may have been thinking about getting them a pet. There can be many benefits to having a pet in the home, especially for children. It can help children to develop certain emotions like empathy and how to care for others, that they might not normally learn in regular circumstances. But what are going to be the best pets to have? You don’t want anything that is going to be too high maintenance, but equally, isn’t too much of an ‘easy’ pet that requires little care. So here is a quick roundup of some of the best pets for families.
Small Dogs
If you haven’t had a pet dog before, then a small dog is often a better option than a larger one. Breeds like labradors are good for families. But if you’re new to dogs, then they could be quite hard work. They do have a steady temperament, but it can lead to difficulties when the children want to walk or groom them, especially if they’re younger children. So many smaller cross breeds are good examples, like a fluffy Maltese or Shih-Tzu, for example. Terriers are also a good breed to choose for children, providing that you don’t have young toddlers or babies.
Cats For Smaller Homes
It seems that you are either a cat person or a dog person in life, so if the thought of a having a dog in the home doesn’t appeal, then a cat could be the pet for your family. They can work especially well in smaller spaces as they are quite independent and low-maintenance animals. Cats enjoy play, which is great with younger children, as well as the fact that they are pretty clean and very adaptable. It is advised to look for an alternative breed of cat, like a shorthair moggy or giant Norwegian cats, for example, rather than a traditional pure breed that don’t live as long. Other breeds can be gentle, with kind and loving personalities. In fact, they might want so much of your attention, that you don’t have enough time to give them all the care they would like!
Rabbits
A pet rabbit isn’t going to be as robust as a pet cat or dog, which can make them a better choice if you have older children. Simply as they are more dainty and delicate than a cat or dog. However, they have the flexibility of being in or out of the home, as you could choose a house rabbit or an outdoor hutch. Their hutches can get dirty pretty quickly. But when cleaned regularly, they are clean and kept animals.
Goldfish Over Tropical Fish
Tropical fish can be fun to look at with their bright colors. But what is easier for families, in terms of practicality and cost, are fish that can live in cold water. Which is why goldfish and those fish of the same family, make better pets than tropical fish. They obviously don’t ‘do’ as much as other pets, but it can still teach children empathy and responsibility as they feed, clean, and care for the fish. You can also check excellent pet articles on Petz.
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