Top Five Pets for Kids

Every kid needs a pet. A pet is a life that a child can care for. That they can love, talk to and cherish. By a life, I mean a living being. Stuffed animals can never truly replace the love that can be shared with a living, breathing pet. Here are five great first pets options for those who are looking to get a pet for their child.

Pet One:
A beta fish. These are easy fish to keep alive. They can live in a simple tank. You can only have one in a tank as they will fight if you put more than one together. They are inexpensive and they live much longer than a goldfish. They come in different colors and are less than ten dollars.

Pet Two:
A kitten. They are inexpensive. They come in all different hair lengths, colors and sizes. They can be kept outdoors if you live in the country or indoors if you live in the city. The dangers: keep children away from the litter box and change it daily. First make sure that your child is not allergic to cats and/or cat dander.

Pet Three:
A rabbit. These are also fairly inexpensive. If you live in the country they can be kept outdoors in a hutch. They can be kept indoors in a small cage. They do have an odor if the cage/feces is not cleaned up daily.

Pet Four:
A bird. There are a wide variety of birds to choose from. Some talk, some sing. Some are thousands of dollars and some are less than one hundred dollars. Finches and canaries are a great birds for kids. They have beautiful music. They don't interact with humans much so you should get two as they are soothing to watch interact with one another. Budgies or parakeets can learn some words, they are colorful and they can be handled by little hands. They are not aggressive but easy tempered and easily handled. They also can have an odor if the cage is not cleaned routinely.

Pet Five:
A puppy. It is best to get a puppy over a dog. This is because a puppy can be trained to be handled and loved by a child. An adult dog may be more settled in his/her ways and not interested in entertaining a child. A Golden Retriever is a great family dog. Also, investigate a Schnauzer. They are a smaller active dog that are quite social. A Shih Tzu dog is a great little dog if they are trained from puppies and are treated gently. All dogs must be treated with care and love. A monthly budget must be set aside for finances to groom them and purchase foods and yearly shots.

Pets are a great investment into a child's life. They open the door to training, love and companionship that every child craves. Choose wisely and enjoy your child's great daily joy.