Easy Pets for Kids: How to Choose the Right Family Pet

At some point, most children decide their lives are incomplete without an animal. Usually immediately.

"Can I have a puppy?"

"I'll feed him."

"I'll walk him."

"I'll clean up everything."

"I promise."

This heartfelt commitment lasts until approximately Tuesday.

The best pet for a child isn't the smallest, the cutest or the one the pet store calls "easy." It's the pet whose needs fit your child's age, your family's schedule, your home, your budget, and the amount of care the adults are prepared to provide.

Because here's the part to remember before anything furry, feathered, scaled or aquatic comes home: the adults are responsible for the animal. Kids can, and should, help. But pets can't wait for somebody to remember to feed them.

So before your child names the puppy you're "just looking at," let's figure out which pet fits your family.

The Best First Pets for Kids at a Glance

There's no such thing as a no-work pet. But some pets are a much better fit for kids than others. Here's how the most popular first pets compare. Lifespans are typical ranges with good care.

The short answer: for young kids, guinea pigs and fish (in a real tank) are the easiest starting points. For kids 8 and up, add rats, hamsters and parakeets. Dogs and cats are wonderful at any age, as long as the adults are signing up for the work.

And whatever you choose, plan on the adults doing at least some of it.

1. Forget the Idea of a Completely Easy Pet

There's no such thing as a no-work pet. Every animal needs:

•      The right food

•      Fresh water

•      A clean place to live

•      Exercise or something to do

•      Safe housing

•      Regular attention

•      A vet when it's sick, and checkups for many species

•      Someone responsible for it every single day

Even the "starter pets" have specific care needs. Small doesn't mean simple. Sometimes small just means the mess is smaller.

2. Start With Your Child's Age

A pet that works for a teenager isn't necessarily right for a preschooler. Young kids can help with simple jobs, like filling a water dish with you, scooping measured food, brushing a calm pet, and gathering supplies. Older kids take on more as they show they can handle it. (Here's what kids can do at every age: Pet Chores for Kids by Age.)

The American Academy of Pediatrics points out that kids under 10 can't be expected to care for a dog or cat on their own. They can help. They can't be in charge.

And age doesn't tell you everything. Two 10-year-olds can have dramatically different levels of maturity. One remembers homework, soccer equipment and exactly where she left her shoes. The other hasn't located a shoe since February. Know your child.

3. Consider Your Child's Personality

Does your child want a pet to cuddle? Watch? Train? Play with? Talk to?

A child who dreams of holding a pet will be disappointed by a hamster that bites when picked up, or a fish. A child who loves quietly watching animals might adore an aquarium another child finds boring.

Don't just ask, "What pet do you want?"

Ask, "What do you imagine doing with your pet?"

The answer tells you much more.

4. Decide How Much Work the Adults Will Accept

This is the most important question on the entire page: if your child loses interest, are you willing to take care of this animal?

Because you might. Children grow. Schedules change. Sports start. Homework increases. College eventually happens. The animal doesn't disappear because your child's interests moved on.

Before bringing home a pet, every adult in the house should be comfortable saying, "If necessary, I'll take care of this animal." If the answer is no, choose a different pet. Or wait.

5. Do the Lifespan Math

Some pets are part of the family for many years. That's wonderful. It's also a commitment.

Look up the typical lifespan, then think ahead. Where will your child be in five years? Ten? Longer?

That tiny pet your eight-year-old desperately wants may still need care when your child is worrying about college applications. Pets don't come with a convenient graduation clause.

6. Be Honest About Your Schedule

A pet has to fit the life you actually live. Ask:

•      Is someone home regularly?

•      How long are your weekdays?

•      How many activities do the kids have?

•      How often do you travel?

•      Who handles morning care? Evening care?

•      Who takes over on vacations, and when everyone's sick or swamped?

Don't choose based on the schedule you wish you had. Your pet will be living with the real one.

7. Check Your Space (and Your Lease)

A small home doesn't rule out pets. But the animal needs the right setup: enough indoor space, a yard if the pet needs one, secure housing, a spot away from hazards, and room to store food and supplies. Think about noise and the neighbors, too.

If you're renting, check the rules before falling in love with anything. "Surprise, our lease says no" is not a good pet-care plan.

8. Check for Allergies First

If anyone in the house might be allergic, find out before you adopt. Spend time around the kind of animal you're considering, and talk to your doctor about serious allergy concerns.

Don't count on a breed being "hypoallergenic." No dog or cat breed is truly allergen-free.

You want to discover allergy problems before everyone becomes attached. Not after.

9. Count the Real Cost

The price of the pet itself is often one of the smallest expenses. Plan for:

•      Food, housing and bedding

•      Grooming, toys and training

•      Vet visits, vaccinations and preventive medications

•      Boarding or a pet sitter

•      Licensing

•      Emergency vet care

That "free" kitten becomes considerably less free once you've bought everything the kitten requires. Pets are family members. They also require budgeting.

Pet by Pet: What Kids Should Know

Dogs Are Wonderful, But They're Not Easy

Dogs can be terrific family pets. They're also a lot of work: daily exercise, training, feeding, grooming, cleanup, vet care, companionship, and a plan for when the family travels.

A dog teaches kids plenty about responsibility. But don't get a dog to teach responsibility. Get a dog because the family wants a dog and the adults are ready to care for one. The responsibility lessons will arrive naturally. Usually before breakfast.

Cats Are More Independent, Not Maintenance-Free

Cats fit some households more easily than dogs because they don't need walks. But they still need daily food, fresh water, litter-box cleaning, play, grooming (for long-haired cats) and vet care.

Kids can help, but somebody needs to make sure the litter box actually gets cleaned. "I thought he was going to do it" is not especially persuasive to the cat.

Guinea Pigs Need More Than a Cage and Carrots

Guinea pigs make great first pets because they're social and most enjoy gentle handling. But don't mistake "small animal" for "put it in a cage and occasionally add vegetables." They need a roomy cage, unlimited hay, fresh vegetables every day, vitamin C, fresh water, regular cleaning and vet care. And they're happiest in pairs, so plan on two.

A guinea pig is smaller than a dog. Its needs are still real.

Hamsters and Other Small Rodents Aren't Automatically Easy

Small rodents are often sold as easy first pets. That can be misleading. Hamsters are awake at night, when your kids are asleep. Many don't like being handled and will nip if they're woken up. Rats, on the other hand, are social, smart, and usually happy to be handled, but they need a buddy and daily playtime.

Research the specific species. Don't treat all small furry animals as interchangeable. Your child may want something cuddly. The hamster may have other plans.

Rabbits Are a Bigger Commitment

Rabbits are adorable. This has been excellent marketing for rabbits.

They also need a special diet heavy on hay, a big pen, daily exercise outside it, a litter box and a vet who treats rabbits. They're physically fragile, and most don't like being picked up, which makes them a better fit for older, gentle kids than for preschoolers.

Don't choose a rabbit because it looks like a conveniently sized fluffy pet. The adorable ears are not a care plan.

Fish Need More Than a Bowl

Reptiles Need Specialized Care

Some families love reptiles. But don't choose one because it looks low maintenance. Reptiles need exact temperatures, special lighting, the right humidity, a specific diet and a vet who treats reptiles. Many live 15 years or more.

The CDC advises that children under 5 shouldn't handle reptiles or amphibians at all, because they often carry salmonella. And everyone washes their hands after touching one. (More on that: How to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases.)

"Reptile" is a category. Not an instruction manual.

Birds Need Attention, Too

Birds can be smart, social and fascinating. They can also be noisy, messy and long-lived. They need daily interaction, things to do, a roomy cage, regular cleaning, the right food and a bird vet.

Parakeets live 5 to 10 years. Cockatiels can live 20. Large parrots can outlive their owners. That cute bird in the pet store may represent a commitment longer than your child's entire childhood. Do the lifespan math. Then do it again.

Let Your Child Help Research the Pet

Before bringing an animal home, make the decision a family project. Have your child find out:

•      What does it eat?

•      How often does it need care?

•      What kind of home does it need?

•      How much exercise does it need?

•      How long does it usually live?

•      How much will supplies cost?

•      What vet care does it need?

•      Who'll take care of it on vacations?

This is much more useful than asking, "Do you promise you'll take care of it?"

We already know the answer. Of course they promise. There's an animal at stake.

Make a Pet-Care Job List Before You Adopt

Write down every regular job the pet will need:

Then assign real responsibilities. Not fantasy responsibilities. A seven-year-old can help feed the dog. A seven-year-old shouldn't be the one responsible for noticing that the dog needs a vet. That's an adult job.

Raise the responsibility gradually. Don't hand over an animal and announce, "Congratulations. You're in charge." Parents stay involved. (Here's how to assign pet chores by age.)

Attach Pet Chores to Routines You Already Have

Pet chores are easier for kids to remember when they're tied to something that already happens every day:

•      After breakfast: feed the pet.

•      After school: exercise and play.

•      After dinner: check the water.

•      Saturday morning: clean the habitat.

Use a simple checklist for younger kids. Eventually the routine becomes automatic. Or reasonably automatic. We're still talking about children.

What If Your Child Stops Taking Care of the Pet?

This is the scenario every parent worries about.

First, don't let the animal's care slip while you're proving a point. The pet still needs food, water, a clean home, exercise, medical care and attention. Step in.

Then deal separately with your child's responsibility. Reassign the chores, simplify the routine, add reminders, supervise more closely, tie the chores to existing routines, or use family consequences for ignored jobs.

But never hold back the animal's care as the consequence. The pet didn't agree to participate in your parenting strategy. (More on getting kids back on board: Pet Chores for Kids.)

Don't Surprise a Child With a Pet

A puppy with a bow around its neck makes an adorable commercial. Real life is more complicated.

A pet is a long-term responsibility, so choosing one should be a whole-family decision: what kind of pet, who does what, the cost, the schedule, the space, the lifespan, and who takes over on vacations.

The surprise can be a toy. The living creature deserves a plan.

The Easy-Pet Test

Before saying yes, answer these together:

1.     How much daily care does this pet need?

2.     Who will actually provide it?

3.     How long will this animal live?

4.     What does proper housing take?

5.     Can we afford routine care, and an emergency vet bill?

6.     Who cares for the pet when we travel?

7.     Is this animal right for our children's ages?

8.     Does anyone have allergies?

9.     Does our housing allow it?

10.  Are the adults willing to take over if necessary?

11.  Do we still want this pet after researching all the work?

That last question is the useful one. If everybody still says yes after discussing cleaning, expense and vet appointments, you're actually getting somewhere.

And for some families, the right answer right now is: no pet yet. That's a perfectly reasonable decision. Waiting until your family is ready is much kinder than bringing home an animal you can't care for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest pet for a child?

There's no maintenance-free pet, but guinea pigs and fish in a properly set-up tank are the easiest starting points for young kids. For kids 8 and up, rats, hamsters and parakeets also work well. Adults still need to supervise.

What is the best first pet for a 5-year-old?

Guinea pigs or a fish in a heated, filtered tank. A 5-year-old can help feed them and fill the water with you. Skip reptiles and amphibians until 5 and up, because of salmonella.

What is a good pet for a 10-year-old?

Guinea pigs, rats, a hamster, a parakeet or a cat. A responsible 10-year-old can handle much of the daily care, with you making sure it gets done.

Are hamsters good pets for kids?

They're better for kids 8 and up. Hamsters are awake at night and can nip if they're woken up or handled roughly. Guinea pigs and rats are friendlier for younger kids.

Are rabbits good pets for young children?

Usually not. Rabbits are fragile, most don't like being picked up, and they need a lot of space and care. They're a better fit for older, gentle kids.

How long do common pets live?

Hamsters and rats: 2 to 3 years. Guinea pigs: 5 to 7. Rabbits: 8 to 12. Dogs: 10 to 13. Cats: 12 to 18. Leopard geckos: 15 to 20. Some parrots: decades.

The Bottom Line

Pets bring kids companionship, laughter, affection and plenty of chances to learn responsibility.

They also bring food bills, cleaning, vet appointments, vacation logistics and the occasional mysterious stain on the carpet. That's part of the package.

So don't look for the easiest possible pet. Look for the right pet for your family. Research before you adopt. Let the kids help. Give them real jobs.

And when your child says, "I promise I'll do EVERYTHING!"

Smile. Appreciate the enthusiasm.

Then make your decision based on the adults doing at least some of it.

Because there's a very good chance you will.

Keep Going

The new family member is picked out (or wisely postponed). Here's what to read next:

•      Pet Chores for Kids by Age: What kids can do to care for the pet at every age.

•      The Family Pet: Everything about living, and cleaning, with pets.

•      How to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases: Keep the kids healthy around the new pet.

•      Teaching Kids Household Chores: The step-by-step method that makes chores stick.

•      Chores for Kids by Age: Jobs for every room in the house, from toddlers to teens.

•      Allowance for Kids' Chores: Should pet care earn a little cash?

•      How to Vacuum Properly: Because that pet hair isn't going to vacuum itself.

•      Family Life: More help keeping family life under control.

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