Domesticated animals were originally developed out of a commitment to mutual survival. African wildcats migrated into human settlements during the rise of the Agricultural Revolution and evolved into rattraps on the road to modern family life. Dogs have a longer and more diverse history, covering everything from protecting cattle and fireplaces to hunting.
Today's pets are more like our partners, and the role they play in our mental health and emotional development may be equally valuable, especially for children.
Pets can teach young children sense of responsibility and empathy and social intelligence, and different animals can help boost emotions and self-esteem. But pet responsibility is no joke, which means it's important to find the right pet for your child's specific needs.
Today I will give you a brief introduction to the 10 most suitable pet choices for children.
Parrot: Typical excellent entry pet
Tiger parrots are docile birds. They are also easy to tame, especially if acquired when they are young.
This long-tailed parrot is a smart, sweet, gentle bird that loves to make sounds. Over the years, their crisp tone and liveliness have made them a popular choice for younger children. They are also low maintenance costs, inexpensive to keep, and are generally robust, healthy, and pets that can grow with children.
It can live longer than ten years and is a bird that can also grow up with your children. Remember that they require gentle pampering. Making sure to properly teach etiquette for handling the parrot is important for any new parrot owner, but parents of young children may need to "co-raise" the bird for a while.
Lizard: A beginner's favorite, low-maintenance, long-life option
The striped gecko is a ground-dwelling lizard that naturally inhabits the highlands of Asia and throughout Afghanistan and parts of northern India.
You won't find a better contrast to the gregarious parakeets than the leopard-printed palace, but these low-maintenance pets are a great option for children who show a fascination with reptiles. Leopard geckos only need to occupy a small glass container to adapt to various conditions and habitats.
Cleaning and maintenance is simple and infrequent, and the process of setting up habitats is a learning process in itself. Fortunately, even in the long run, leopard geckos are not difficult to keep, as they can survive in captivity for up to 20 years. The child's relationship with the gecko is more about observing than playing, but it's a great way to teach the foundations of the natural order in a relatively gentle way.
Hamsters: Cheap pets, perfect for beginners
Hamsters are great pets for school-age children because they have a low maintenance cost, but the process of playing and watching with them is very fun and very interactive with people and their surroundings.
In some ways, hamsters are harmless and quiet, they are soft and fluffy, but they do not like to be held and are more active at night. For young children, hamsters can teach them some basic caregiver duties without getting overwhelmed, which can give them a pet that they can enjoy for a while before bedtime. Hamsters can live in small cages, although more space will obviously make pets happier. Hamsters are inexpensive pets that make a good transition to more challenging pets, but they tend to have a lifespan of only two to four years. Pay attention to the consequences of death.
Cats: Perfect for kids who need hugs or anxiety
Anxiety can make it difficult for children to be happy and healthy the way they deserve it, but pets can serve as a good treatment and a good source of social comfort. While most cat breeds are independent animals that don't require much care, cats' special emotional appeals can help children establish safe boundaries and manage anxiety or depression as a tool. For anxious children, a friendly cat (hug) is a natural choice. Medium-sized Persian cats and larger Maine cats are calm and loving cats with plenty of fluff on their bodies to cuddle. But playful short-haired varieties like Bengal and Siam can also provide an energetic and calming energy for anxious children.
Mice: A responsibility curriculum tailored for teenagers
Cats and dogs provide great ways to teach older children the responsibility of caring for animals, but their longevity means that their responsibilities will continue long after they graduate from middle and high school. Mice have all the intelligence, personality, and energy of a cat or dog, but they tend to live only two or three years. For teens or older children who can understand this, rats can be a great companion.
Unlike hamsters, these rodents like to be petted and are both intelligent and playful. Those agile minds require quite a bit of stimulation, so their caregivers need to be able to consistently free up time for them. For teens, this can be a great way to maintain good habits while going through high school chaos.
Rabbit: Suitable for the whole family
Cute bunny may seem like a good pet for kids, but their relatively demanding nature means they may be better suited to a lesson for sharing responsibilities as a family. Highly sociable rabbits need to play and accompany them every day, and adding more rabbits to their habitat can help keep them busy, but it also comes with their own responsibilities. But these pets are calm and smart enough to teach them a range of different tricks.
But they also require relatively complex diets and regular veterinary care. But if everyone is willing to participate, having a rabbit can be a rewarding experience.
Turtles: Aquarium life
Turtles require little care and little space, and are happy to keep themselves most of the time. They are a great entry pet, especially for busy families who may not have much time to take care of their pet's emotional needs. Popular pet species range from the Red-eared Slippery Turtle to the Mississippi Map Turtle to the Wood Turtle.
Maintenance is routine, but not demanding. Families can set the temperature and habitat together, and then daily care can help instill a sense of responsibility in young pet owners. Keep in mind that many turtles will grow amazingly throughout their lifetime, so investing in an aquarium that is much larger than you initially thought is good for you.
Little Snake: A fascinating but innocuous lesson in the natural order
Humans, like their primate ancestors, have an innate aversion to snakes because they were one of our deadliest and most capable predators throughout evolution, but most snake species are completely harmless to us. Some children have an innate fascination with gliding snakes, while those who don't mind introducing snakes spark interest in the larger role these animals play in the ecosystem.
While ball pythons are a good choice for adult beginners, harmless and quiet corn snakes are ideal for child snakes. Age and sensitivity are important when considering this option, as receiving a snake's lifestyle feeding habits, feeding on rodents, can be challenging for some children.
Fish: Pet item for beginners that can grow with your child
Learning how to manage an aquarium can be a lesson in learning the importance of research, even for creative projects. Fish in freshwater tanks tend to be more hardy, cheaper, and require less maintenance. Saltwater tanks tend to consist of vibrant fish found in coral reef ecosystems, but they can also be very delicate and picky eaters.
This challenge can be used as a special project for teens or young children to learn under the supervision of their parents. But you can also start with a simple peacock fish or goldfish and let the aquarium grow in time with your child's vision and interests.
Dogs (Labrador Retrievers): Introductory pets for children with ADHD
For children with ADHD, simple tasks can sometimes seem like daunting responsibilities. These neurological differences can further bring social complications to children with ADHD. More than one in ten children are diagnosed with ADHD, but dogs can actually play an important role in management.
One study found that children with ADHD improved their attention span, social skills and self-esteem when performing their daily activities with their dogs. Large and docile dog breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers are particularly good choices because they can help children with ADHD devote their energy to physical activity.
So, will you choose a pet for your child, and if you decide to do so, be prepared, especially to discuss these things with your child? Pets can effectively help families and children grow, and will be one of your best choices.