Three Best First Pets for Families

If the family is shopping for the perfect pet, here are a three suggestions of simple, easy to care for pets, along with some questions you may wish to answer before purchasing a pet.

Questions:

How long do I want a pet to be a member of the family?
How expensive is the pet to buy, or is the upkeep expensive?
Does the pet I am considering buying have any medical issues I should know about?
How well will the pet interact with family, friends, and visitors?
Is food easy to come by or is it expensive and hard to find?

Pets to Consider:

Leopard Gecko

It's easy to love the cute little Leopard Gecko who advertises on GEICO insurance television ads. However, is a Gecko an easy to handle, easy to care for, and fun pet? Leopard Gecko's are found in Pakistan, making their original home dry, sandy and hot. Keep this in mind when purchasing a Leopard Gecko because it means the pet will need a special heated cage and the temperature will need to be monitored for the Leopard Gecko's safety and health.

The Gecko is not a pet for a small child. They do have a tendency to carry Salmonella on their bodies and anyone who handles the Gecko should know to wash their hands before, and after handling. Small children should not be alone with the Gecko, it is hardy however, easy to harm. Remember that the Gecko will drop off its tail when scared. This is a protection action and is used in the wild to confuse the predator who is attacking the Gecko. The tail does grow back but, usually comes back shaped different and a different color.

Geckos must be kept in a glass aquarium that is warmed by lights or mats, they are fed live foods such as crickets and the life expectancy of the Gecko is five years. The aquarium should be kept clean and free of debris and feces as this is what can cause the growth of bacteria in the tank and on the pet.

Rabbits - Bunnies

Bunnies are cute, cuddly and soft. Children usually love bunnies, which can make it a dangerous home for the rabbit if small children are present. Small children have a tendency to handle a rabbit too much and can actually make them sick. Rabbits are simi-hardy but can easily be scared to death, if put under too much stress. Rabbits can be taught to use a litter box and can also be taught to walk on a leash, which makes them a great pet for an older child. Adults usually do not enjoy rabbits as pets.

Having a female rabbit spayed can extend their life expectancy to 10-years and if un-spayed then 5-7 years is the life expectancy of a rabbit. They must have a large cage, eat hay, greens, fruit, and rabbit pellets. However, if feeding pellets you must also add hay and greens to the equation. Rabbits must chew as their teeth continue to grow their entire lives and can actually grow to trap the bottom jaw and make eating impossible.

Keep in mind that rabbits must be able to move around a lot when active and should be kept at a constant temperature. They are sensitive to the heat and can die if over heated. Water and food should be readily available and is not very expensive. If you are choosing to litter box train your pet rabbit the litter must be made from paper never use clay litter. Never put a male rabbit with a female rabbit at any time, as they are able to breed at all times.

Ferrets

Ferrets make great pets for the family. They are cute, inquisitive, and very social creatures. Ferrets must have a caged home and that home must have a sleeping area, along with feeding area and play area, so a fairly large cage is necessary for your ferret. Many pet stores sell two-story cages that are ideal for Ferrets. You can have your Ferret spayed or neutered and it is recommended that you have an experienced vet perform all medical treatment and shots for your Ferret.

It is recommended that your ferret be turned loose at times, however, be very careful as they love to chew electrical cords and corners of chairs, sofas and carpets. Ferrets have a musky smell, even if their glands are removed, it is necessary to bathe them at least 1X per week to keep the smell to a minimum. The life expectancy of a Ferret is five to ten years and one important thing to remember is, your pet Ferret can catch the flu from the human family members. It is necessary that if someone in your family has the flu they be kept away from your Ferret and any area that the Ferret may wander. The flu most often is fatal for a pet Ferret.

Resources:

http://www.everythingferret.com/
http://www.rabbit.org/
http://www.leopardgeckoguide.com/