'What Is The Best Pet For A Toddler? Why?'

KateyBate (66.227.233.47) -

What would you consider is the best pet for a home with toddlers? Something caged like a hermit crab or lizard, or soft and fluffy puppioes and kittens. A rabbit, a fish? What do you think is best and why?

Comment #1 Linsey (152.163.38.79) -

I think kittens are best. Soft and cudly.

Comment #2 MissyG (64.136.27.228) -

Introducing something soft and fluffy to your little one is, I think, a good idea. However, you definately have to be sure that the pet has escape routes and that you supervise the toddler. The kid could open up a tank and unleash hermit crab hell on your house too, if you're not careful.

Comment #3 KateyBate (66.227.233.47) -

Thanks for your thoughts. I was thinking more of escape routes for kids than pets, but it's a good point about kids opening tanks.

Comment #4 Jeanette from AZ (Contact Member) -

I think a little kitten would be perfect. I agree with the others - keep an eye on the toddler. My nephew is 3 and they had a little kitten whom he totally terrorized.

Comment #5 Cat Magnet from Catlandia (Contact Member) -

Kittens are much better idea than a grown cat. Kittens will tolerate the playfulness of the child more than a cat.

Comment #6 Lucy (66.24.100.217) -

I would go with a fish tank. Puppies and kittens have sharp little teeth and claws, they jump and nip and that can be scary to a little one. Also puppies and kittens are a lot of work especially if you have a little one at home that you are taking care of. The reason I say fish tank is that it can be filled with different fish, different sizes, different colors, different textures all which are very interesting to a little one. Kids can watch the fish swim all over and move really fast. If the tank is put up high enough and the child is taught not to touch only look I don't see a problem with it. The child can also help feed the fish. I do think it is good for children to grow up with animals but depending on the age of the child will help determine what pet is best for you.

Comment #7 Courtney from Amarillo, Texas, USA!! (Contact Member) -

Pets with kids that are under 5 is a touchy subject. I think the best pet may be an aquarium, as long as it has a cover and can't be pulled down off of whatever you set it on. Kids are known for holding kittens and puppies by their heads. I think hold off on those kind of pets until the child goes to school.

Comment #8 Nathalie---------------------------canada (74.106.66.82) -

I know alot about animals i have or had almost every pet. Rabbit, cat chichen degu rat hamster... and i have 2 smaller brother and sister

eany pet you havefor your todler you need to supervise the kid. and he cant clean the cage by himself . rabbits are to hipper ( they spin alot) chickens you cant hold, hedgehogs are not for kids, they bite... fish would be good but there so boring ( trust me) .my 4 year ols sister LOVES one of are cats sinse he was born and he got to know her( its a bit mean) but he thoufs her ways of dressing him and putting him in strollers.(now he is bigger that her and never bit or skratch her) but there friends, so what im triing to say is that if the animal has bein whith the todler 4 ever it should be okay

Comment #9 Bronwyn (195.93.21.67) -

being young myself, i would personally recomend a rabbit, hamster something like that because they need quite alot of seeing to, and a toddler has got the time to do that as they dont need to go to school or stuff like that. Just another thing if you were to get 1 make shore an adult is with them you dont want them to under or over feed it.

Comment #10 DoggyWaggy123456789 (68.52.72.219) -

i say puppies are the best for toddlers....cats/kittens can make your kids allergies really come into being....chihuahuas are supposed to help w/ asthma..i have asthma and i have been doing great ever since we got her! plus cats always sleep and may be very boring to kids...puppies are always hyper...p.s...get a puppy small enough for the toddler to hold, ...they have much more fun being able to hold the puppy! i recommend a toy poodle or toy chihuahua!

Comment #11 May (128.18.39.120) -

Just remember to pick something you would like to have as well. Often you will be the one who really do the cleaning & caring for the new pet. :)

Comment #12 Annonymus (72.80.177.30) -

I would go with a guinea pig. They hardly ever bite, live long, and make cute purring and "weeping" sounds when you pet them or feed them! Most kids love the funny sounds!

Comment #13 Nick (69.124.16.255) -

Rats are the best pets for kids. They are the smartest most affectionate and sweetest of all he rodents. The only down side on them is that they are not very cute.

Comment #14 PetMenagerie (76.99.169.36) -

I have 2 kids who are grown, and we have been through every pet imaginable since day 1. Rabbits, snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, tarantulas, lizards, birds, fish, frogs, chinchillas, you name it! Someone mentioned a Chihuahua. NO!! We had one when my daughter was almost 2, and she just about killed it, we had to return it. She was never mean to it, she just didn't know NOT to carry it around by the neck, then it would get nervous and poop under a bed!! Toddlers have the attention span of a gnat, they will tire of anything quickly. Our guinea pig was very good for them when they were young. Guinea pigs are very friendly, rarely bite, and yes, kids do love the sounds. It's best to have something they can only get out and play with while carefully supervised, then is put away when their attention turns to something else. They may unintentionally hurt anything they are left alone with. The best time to get a pet for a child is when he/she can understand and help with the care that's necessary to provide (although YOU will be the one who ultimately ends up providing most of the care). Dogs can be great for younger children, as long as you research them and select a laid back breed. They're less likely to be like cats, who can become irritated with a child's games and become a recluse you can never find!!!

Comment #15 jessdesk (69.155.96.237) -

My daughter is 2 1/2 years old and we have a dog, who is 7 years old. He's a rat terrier, Italian greyhound cross; he's very sweet and calm. She does great with him because she has grown up with him and we have taught her how to treat him. She still had her moments when we have to tell her "Don't kick the puppy, " or "You can't hug his neck so hard." However, when we first got him my brother-in-law's niece picked him up by his neck several times (he was only 3 pounds, poor little guy). Now that he weighs in at 17 pounds and it quite robust he can take care of himself, but it's still very important to teach them to be gentle, no pulling the ears or touching the eyes, those types of things.

It is important when choosing a puppy for young children, not to get a dog they can harm. For example, Italian Greyhounds are not recommended for small children because their legs and knees can be easily broken. I would stay away from very small breeds like yorkies and chihuahuas. If I were picking a puppy I would choose a non-shedding breed that is stout and robust like a wire-haired terrier (cairn terrier for instance).

I’ve recently been considering fish for my daughter, I have an aquarium that is just sitting empty in storage.

Comment #16 Dena (208.66.9.239) -

My son is 2 well will be in a few days he has a Leopard Gecko and he is wonderful with him. Leopard Geckos are very sweet and they can take alot (they are on tuff cookie) they take very little maintanence and easy to feed.

Comment #17 Liz (68.207.255.189) -

i am a mother of a 2 year old and have had plenty of pets throught out my life. with fish he loved feeding them and looking at them but very boring for an energetic 2 year old.. my sister has a rat and hamster and hes scared to hold it.. it also runs away to much and nibbles(not a good one) but a ferret would be great.. they are like cats but also like hamsters... they are small.. and stay in cages.. but they run around and play and very sweet... u just have to be able to tell what kind of child u have.. i have a nephew who is 2 as well..and thye have a chihuaha.. and for the most part its good.. my son loves it.. plays and holds her.. and her son likes to terroize it.. he always trys to hit and strangle it.. so the dog hates being around him.. but around my son he is totally fine and love to cuddle... but he has a medium size dog who is old.. and he absoulelty loves him.. hes a good dog and my son is good towrds him.. it all depends on what your child does to animals and what hes scared of.. and if ur able to take care of the animal.. cause dogs are alot more work then hamsters.. so u have to be ready as well

Comment #18 liz (68.207.255.189) -

i also wnated to point out cats are usually bad idea for under 5 because cats dont like being tossed around.. they will claw and bite and get carzy aroubd toddlers.. sometimes u can get kitten and teach the child to be good and they grow togther and everything goes well but other times it will not be good.

Comment #19 Vega Navarro (24.128.96.109) -

There are many breeds, of course, but I would recommend a Beagle, since they are sturdy, easy to groom and very good with children. A Shetland Sheepdog is a good choice also. They look very similar to collie, but are smaller. A Sheltie will range from 15 to 25 pounds full grown. Very friendly, outgoing and its ancestors were herders...so the Sheltie will round up your toddler and keep them safe!

• Sheltie Dog Information

Comment #20 Mihaela (210.49.80.98) -

Hi, it's not that hard to choose a pet but you should consider several things like child's age, child's temperament, how much money, time and effort you are willing to invest. I personally started with parrots and fish when I was a girl and later on I got cat and after that dog. Cats and dogs are like an additional family member. They require more care and attention and more money for "maintenance":) You'll find more tips on my site.

Comment #21 Critter Crazy in FL (72.188.67.201) -

If you want to go for a small animal, go for a guinea pig or a rat. If you get a hamster, do NOT get a young one. Get one that has already been well socialized with toddlers. Guinea pigs, as mentioned by previous posts, make adorable sounds and can be tamed pretty easily. Rats by far make the best small pets for toddlers. My daughter has had one for a year (since her first birthday), and it is very bonded to her. She can hold her, play with her, and Rat-a-tat-tat even rides on her shoulders. Rats are not only easily socialized, they bond very closely to people.

If you're going for a larger pet, get a puppy of a breed that is energetic, but easily trained.

Comment #22 MC from Pluto (Contact Member) -

i would get a puppy. their hard to care for with a toddler but the little boy or girl will always have a connpanyon to be with

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