What would be a suitable pet for a child of 5 who is not a cat or a dog?
My daughter has been asking for a pet. My husband has already said no to a cat or dog. My daughter is 5 and a bit autistic. I'm not sure what kind of pet would be easy for her to care for and manage. We already have a beta fish, but not is fun for her. Anyone have any suggestions?
Cats and dogs are big time commitments, and everyone in the family really has to be on board – I do not believe that should be pushed to get her husband does not want an animal that is a big reason for many animals end up being given away or in a shelter. Guinea pigs are probably the group friendlier and more interactive "small and furry – and much lower maintenance than rabbits. Rabbits can be good pets, but are like having a dog or a cat – not thrive being cooped up in a small cage and pets are not good for people who do not have much space and time. Moreover, all grounds of her husband did not want a cat or a dog are the same reasons and then some will not want a rabbit. They are great pets, but not low maintenance. Guinea pigs that are handled much of the time they are babies can be very cool and much less likely to bite than mice, gerbils, hamsters. But you really need to involve the manipulation of them all the time when they are babies – just like every day for an hour +, to turn them into pets very sweet as can be. When you see the guinea pigs nervous is because they have been manipulated enough. Even so, they are less likely to bite than others in that category, a guinea pig but not as much fun scary! You can also hold in a cage and do not stink if you change your bedding and keep their cage clean. It stinks if you do not receive anything adequate care, but are not as smelly as, for example, male rats that naturally have a strong odor. Rats are actually very smart and can make good pets, but the males have the urine is very powerful and hard to keep things clean enough that you can not smell. If you have a good close to the animal shelters accepts small animals (many do), check them out first. Well do not have to mean 'not kill', but it does mean that his staff seem to know much on a number of different animals and, if they do euthanasia, which are the type of housing that makes it infrequently and therefore have the time to know their animals. A good shelter may be by far the best place to get a pet for a child, as the staff generally know much more than the employees of the pet store and can help find the appropriate animal for a child with disabilities. You can find shelters in your area at www.petfinder.com Good luck – an animal can make a big difference in the life of a child!
