'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 -

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 -

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!! -

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) - Sun Jun 29 08:20:36 2008

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.

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add to our directory first)
Web Link:       
Link Title:     

Message:

Note: once you register your email address with Pets and Animals it is used across our whole network of forums and blogs. You can create seperate profiles for each forum or blog, but use the same login.