Top 10 Pets for kids: The benefits of living with a companion animal
Dr Jo Righetti, animal behaviourist, helps people understand pets and communicates her knowledge on the human-animal relationship. Kids and pets often have a very special relationship with many benefits…
Kids and Pets go together! Most of us have grown up with pets and can’t imagine life without them: The cat that slept on our beds; the dog that waited patiently at the gate until we got home from school. And now some of us have kids whose pets do just the same thing!
Children and pets have a special relationship. While the pet is often entertained by having a child around there are also many benefits for the children in having a pet in their home:
- Children develop a respect for animals when they live alongside them and this helps prepare them for later life. The child learns about the responsibilities in caring for another living creature – even if they don’t always follow through with their tasks!
- Children with pets are popular with their peers. The antics of a pet can make good topics of conversation, good school news items and children even learn to read body language from watching their pets. Children can learn to read by reading out loud to their dog.
- Children interact more with other members of the family when there is a pet in the house. More than half of families with young children undertake physical activity as a family at least once a week by walking their dog.
- Pets can help balance the increasing presence of technology. A pet is a good reason to turn off the computer or video game and have a play or a cuddle. Most children report enjoying playing outdoors with their pets. In fact, it’s second only to playing with friends in the entertainment stakes.
- Pets provide unconditional love. Pets hold a special status in children’s lives with 95% of children nominating pets among their ten most important relationships.
More about kids and pets: How to prevent dog attacks on children
In some homes the child sadly does not get the opportunity to nurture a pet, to tell their secrets to their special furry friend or to get a chance to receive that all-important unconditional love. This may be because they do not have a pet of their own or their circumstances make it impossible to carry out these activities.
In some homes, animals are abused. They may be physically hurt or they may be neglected. In many cases, the children are also on the receiving end of this bullying or neglectful behaviour.
It is generally accepted that if you want to change the behaviour of your population it is best to start with educating the children. Let’s keep the relationship between children and pets a special one.
Pets teach children key life skills and help them to understand life’s milestones. Birth, growth, illness and death all become a normal part of life with a pet around.
Read on for suggestions of the Top 10 pets for kids…
More on children and pets
Ages and stages with pets
Furkids: Are your pets your babies?
Is it safe to have pets with kids at any age?
Top 10 Pets for Kids
Kids and pets go together. Not just kids! Pets and people go together. Pets teach children lots if things – about responsibility, about care, about love. Pets can even teach us about happiness!
I am often asked what pets people should buy for their kids. Here’s my top 10 pets for kids (in no particular order). Remember that every pet needs care and every parent needs to be prepared to deliver ALL of that care.
1. Hermit crabs
Hermit crabs can be great pets for kids to set up and watch in their bedrooms. All you need is a tank, water, shells and food (from pet stores).Watch them change shells.
2. Goldfish
Again, a tank, hiding spots and fish food is all you need. Once kids get the hang of this you can move on to tropical or even marine tanks.
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Of course, dogs are man, woman and child’s best friend but which dog to choose? The Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniel is often recommended for families and these little dogs make great indoor, gentle (relatively) playmate for children. They will be your child’s best friend.
4. Ferret
Ferrets may be great pets for the older child, as they are an energetic powerhouse of activity who can sleep in their cage while kids are at school. Check Australian State laws, as they are not permitted everywhere. And be ready for a few unexpected bites! That’s part of their cheeky nature!
5. Ragdoll cat
The Ragdoll breed of cat is great for quieter kids who like to have something to cuddle and sit on their lap. Although, as an animal behaviourist, the only problem Ragdoll owner ask me is why their Ragdoll does not like being held or cuddled! There are always exceptions to every rule!
6. Budgie
Budgies are great little pets for children. They can have fun teaching them to speak. They can be a great all-round companion. If you are very busy and the bird will be left alone a lot, it may be best to get two budgies.
7. Labrador
Labradors are another family favourite dog breed. Great for families who want a larger dog who blends in with their lifestyle.
8. Chicken (or duck)
Chickens can be fun pets for kids. They can be tamed, even brought indoors but best keep more than one. Each has a different personality. Get them young if you want to tame them. And a bonus is eggs!
Ducks can be fun to keep too but rather messy around your back yard. They need a water area to splash around in.
9. Mice or Rats
Mice can be fun pets for kids. They are great to watch interact with one another (get the same sex) and can be handled gently.
You might like to consider a rat instead (not in same cage as mice, however).
10. Moggie (Domestic cat)
Cats make great companions for all ages and playful kids and kittens are made for each other. Cats are not as aloof as non-cat owners believe.
Do you have a pet that you would add to this list? What would be your top pets for kids?
And, in case you are wondering, yes I do have kids and pets myself. In fact, I’ve owned all of the animals, mentioned here (although not the particular breeds mentioned). My kids love their pets and, as a parent, it is a joy to watch their interactions even though I do most of the work!
25 BENEFITS OF CHILDREN GROWING UP WITH PETS
Did you grow up with pets? Are your children, if you have any, growing up with pets? We often say children and pets go together and there are so many benefits of living with pets. Here, Top Dog Tips are showing us 25 of the benefits of children growing up with pets…
Thanks to TopDogTips.com for this infographic!
More info on dogs and children:
A celebration of kids and pets
How animals can help autistic children
How pets help parents with raising children
How to prevent dog attacks on children
View Comments (15)
We have 2 Inland Bearded Dragons, and as long as you don't mind a few escaped crickets roaming the house (escapees whilst feeding) have found them to be excellent pets for the kids...
I used to have rats! They were the best ever! I had them in the same cage and they were excellent together, so i don't understand why you said not too..
Rats have been know to kill and/or eat mice!
She is right about that sometimes male mice or rats will eat their own babies.
I previously owned mice. You can make a good profit from them having babies because they reproduce fairly quickly. Excellent pets Ive never been bitten though. Their cage gets dirty really fast so you clean the cage quite often but other than that they are excellent.
i have buggies they are good pets but they also get boring. i am currently in the process of getting a cat.
We have guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs and aquarium which all perfect buddies and learning pets for all children here. The turtle actually is their favorite.
Glad to hear that turtles are making good pets.
I would add Maine Coon cats as being great pets for kids after having owned one for two years. Our Leo is beautifully natured and let our 9yr old carry him around in his arms like a baby! Couldn't ask for a better pet!
I can highly recommend Boxer dogs as pets for children.
They are playful, energetic & very tolerant with kids !
I used to have a Dalmatian - very similar energy level. Not for young children but great with older, energetic ones!
Without a doubt Cavoodle's (a cross breed between a cavalier and a minature poodle) have gone in as my number one family pet recommendation. A gentler dog I have not met. All the love of a cavalier with less of the heart disease (hopefully).
The problem with Cavalier x Poodles is that you're more likely dealing with poor breeding practices and zero ethics so if the Cavalier used for breeding isn't heart cleared for MVD (and they usually aren't!), and not tested for Hip Displasia.. or the poodle isn't tested for PRA (degenerative eye disease).. you increase your chances of getting a puppy with even MORE health problems than an ethically bred, registered predigreed puppy of either breed.
Rescue dogs are the best pes anyone could ask for. They are sweet, well mannered and are people dogs, always impressing! If your going to buy a dog find your local shelter or rescue centre because these dogs need homes and are usually wormed, microchipped, behaviour check and so on so forth. Pleas, please look at these dogs before you buy a pet shop pet, go for the better option!
Excellent list but if you are going for pets that can come from a shelter, try to get one from there and help save lives.