What's the Best Pet for a Child?

My son ..now 34 years old..had a hamster..she was called Mary lou....a wonderful little creature....she had her cage in the hall..but she loved to come out to play....she ran around the house for hours!!!! She was a low maintainence pet,and cheap to feed etc.... The problem as you point out is that dogs need walking..and thats a novelty at first...but it soon wears off....and cats arent very sociable...rabbits i love...loppy eared ones...but you have those already!! Our son cared well for Mary lou..but lol that was years ago..im not sure a hamster would be seen to be the in thing at the moment!!!! Still just a thought!!!

Well as you I have animals but they are mine to care for,which I thought about getting my daughter sea monkeys,really because that would show me if she could care for some other animal,and I also think every child should have some sea monkeys and yes they still sell them. I know it not really an animal,but I have also concidered a hamster,but the first time it bit her she would freak out and never touch it again.

A Turtle.. Turtle's are fantastic pets.. They are not very high maintenance and they get pretty tame after a while.. They get VERY used to the hand that feeds them.. They dont take up much room.. You can take it out and hold it now and then or whenever you want and if the novelty wears off aslong as you have a good filter in your tank you wont have to do anything but feed it.. My Boys have a turtle..His name is Turbo Turtle.. Ive found him to be a very easy pet for the boys to take care of and almost as cheap as a gold fish but much more exciting.. :-)

I heard a vet talking on the radio the other day about the best pets for kids or what he called the kids first pet and he said pocket pets as he called them, he said rabbits or guinea pigs or maybe a kitten then maybe a small dog, good luck with your search.

I think little boys needs a dog to grow up with, a dog will be there right beside him every day to run and play and be a campaign for him. Also they need to understand that this friend is in need of care and that since it is their pet they need to take on the responsibility of feeding it and cleaning up after it. I think having a pet is the first act of teaching them responsibility. Dogs just seem to go with little boys, where girls can get fish or birds or cats and be happy, little boys needs something that can run and play with them. Rough things that most girls dont' like to do. They both grow together and will be a true friend as the time goes by.

Rabbits and guinea pigs are always good for kids, people always think hamsters are but they are asleep all day and awake all night so not so good.

Dear friend, Even though I do be careful while kids playing with pets. Still I would like to say that it would parrots and that too if talking parrots. I hope dogs too are good but certain types of disease can be passed to kids. For a kid to play it might a good well behaved dog it could protect the kid too.

I think that the dog is the best choice. Dogs are humen's friends.

I think that dog is the best choice. Dogs are humen's friends.We can communicate well with dogs.

Dear, How old is your son. Select a pet accoringly. Dogs are the best as the first pet, but you'll have to help him out with the bath and all. He can take th dog for a walk, feed the dog etc. There sre some regular habits and a dog will make the master do it because they are very particular about their timings.. All the best

Definately dogs! Dogs are much loyal and diligence than others,cats are quite lazy.

i guess you should try to pet a fish

i recommend a small pet like a mouse or hamster, i had a mouse and there very easy to take care of. they are also cheap u can buy them from any pet store and they take no room at all,it cost near nothing to feed them and clean them they are also friendly.