What pets are good for children?

The other day at the pet store I ran into someone who was looking for a pet for her young child. I know there are many different opinions on this, but I am going to share mine.

Dogs: Dogs can be great companions to children. They are faithful, loyal, and sometimes protective. They take a lot of work in their younger years to build the patience and attributes they will need to interact with children. A dog that is not trained or cared for properly can be deadly to children.

Cats: Some cats are amazing with kids and have all the patience in the world. Others want nothing to do with kids and will hide from them and bite or scratch when approached. In my opinion, if you are going to get a cat and have a child make sure it is just a kitten and can grow up with your child’s behaviors.

Ferrets: These can be wonderful pets for children. Although sometimes mean, if raised with children they are generally friendly and loving animals. They will cuddle, play, and not mind being carried everywhere. They are also less fragile than some other pets. They do have a stronger odor than other pets and you will more than likely want their scent glands removed.

Rats: I would recommend rats over mice, because mice will escape and be near impossible to find. Rats are another animal you want to purchase young. They will cuddle, interact  and be carried everywhere. However, some rats just want to escape and may bite.

Hamsters: These seem like the classic child pet. Although they are nice and it is fun to watch them in the hamster ball, they are for a very careful and cautious child (rare, I know). Hamsters may squirm, escape, and have fragile bones. They can easily be squashed and killed. The perfect example of this is a clip from My Wife and Kids where Katie is playing with her pet hamster that she is unaware is already dead.

Guinea Pigs: These are good pets for kids. I have not met a guinea pig with a mean bone in its body. They will let you hold them and will eat out of your hand. You cannot put them in balls like you can hamsters because it can cause them serious back problems.

Rabbits: These are fun for children to interact with. They are generally friendly and kids like to see them hop around the yard. However, they often scratch when picked up and may bite.

I would be likely to eliminate the entire reptile category and birds.

Snakes: Some children are afraid of snakes, and some snakes are afraid of children. Large snakes can bite or constrict children, easily killing them. Small snakes such as corn snakes are often friendly, but will easily escape their cage or a child’s hand.

Turtles and tortoises: They are high maintenance, hard for children to interact with, and may carry salmonella.

Lizards: Lizards are high maintenance. Often they will require live food and to be misted with water multiple times a day. They can grow large, be vicious, and are also escape artists.

Birds: Without their wings clipped, birds will escape when a child tries to hold them. They will fly around your entire house and be nearly impossible to catch. They are messy, generally do not like to be held, have fragile bones, and have sharp beaks. The bird species that can talk will be introduced to bad words your children learn and will repeat them as they please.