Unique Pets for Young Children
July 26, 2017This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine alone.
My kids have been begging us to get a pet recently, but my husband and I have had some reservations about finding the right one. We are not interested in a cat or dog right now, so I have been on the lookout for some unique pets that are low maintenance and suitable for a household with young kids. Keep reading to see our top contenders.
Unique Pets for Young Children
Unique Pets for Young Kids
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are great choices for young kids for many reasons. First, they generally don’t bite, so that makes them a safer choice than other more aggressive animals. Furthermore, they are fairly low-maintenance and don’t require a big investment of time or money to keep them healthy. The typical lifespan is between 5-8 years. You could even get a large hamster wheel for your guinea pig to get some exercise.
Turtles
Turtles are another popular pet for young kids – and one that we are strongly considering purchasing. Turtles are adorable and relatively easy to take care of, as long as you’re prepared. A turtle’s environment must be well-maintained, as they spend the majority of their life in the water. Most turtles do well with a terrarium with a turtle tank topper and it’s generally to pick a tank that’s generous in size. Be sure the water & air temperature is kept within the recommended range (close to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).
Canaries
A canary is another smart choice for a pet lover that is looking for a bit of interaction. In general, canaries do not like to be held or handled- they prefer to stay within the comfort of their cage. Since canaries require very little maintenance, they are a smart choice for a busy family that’s always on-the-go. Under adult supervision, children can still help with feeding and care.
Rabbits
When I was a kid, I pet-sat a friend’s rabbit one weekend and I look back at the experience with much fondness. There are numerous rabbit breeds to choose from. Rabbits do not typically bite and are generally very friendly animals. I also love that rabbits are quiet animals and can even play with rabbit toys!
I’d love to hear from you. Are you considering a non-traditional pet for your family? Have you ever had a pet turtle or pet rabbit?
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My daughter had rabbits as pets when she was little. They were really great pets. I actually got one for myself a few years ago.
We had Beta Fish at one point. They are very low maintenance but they eventually died. As a family on the go we can commit to any pets right now.
My 3 year old nephew had his first pet and it is a rabbit. He is really happy and he also wants a puppy.
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All ets are a responsibility so it’s important that parents consider who will do the work if someone else doesn’t. We’ve never had a bunny and turtles are illegal here.
I had guinea pigs as one of my pets when I was a little girl. Oh my goodness, they multiplied like crazy! Now, my kids only had dogs for pets. That’s okay with me.
These are all great ideas. I think my sister and I had all of these growing up. If memory serves correctly, the turtles were the easiest to care for. Birds are by far the prettiest.
We have a Cockatiel and my kids just adore her. They both want a dog, but I will wait a few more years before we think about that. My son has allergies, so the dog we would be getting would be very expensive. Rabbits can be fun, but they are a lot of work.
I have always wanted to see a list like this. Unique pets is a great way for a kid to express themselves in a different way.
You have included some fun pets. We had a bearded dragon that my kids loved, as well as hermit crabs…but they love their dog the most!
My 17 yo desperately wants a tortoise! They are a big commitment though, they can live up to 200 years!!!
I love this here. These are some fun pets for kids. Although with birds I have had things hit or miss. I had some amazing birds and then some that I had some crazy tragic things happen.
Cats and dogs are great, but non traditional pets are just as cool! I never had one, but I would love to have a turtle as a pet.