Best pet for a small child

Petmeister · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 3:47 pm Post subject: Best pet for a small child

What do you guys think is the best or appropriate pet for a 5 year old boy? I'm thinking of giving my nephew one for his birthday. Do you think it's safe to give him a puppy?

Regina McKee · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

I think giving a puppy is good. How about a cat? Haha 'coz I love cats and maybe you're little boy may like having one, too.

Keith Kitson · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 9:04 am Post subject:

You can get your little boy a fish...a goldfish would be great. You can teach him about fishes and the sea and what it's like to live under the waves.

Smile

Petmeister · Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:

Nice suggestion, Keith. Why did I not think of getting him a goldfish instead? Oh, I would love to pick out a nice aquarium for him. Very Happy

Michelle Pilver · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

yes, a goldfish would be perfect for a 5 year old because it's low maintenance. don't give him a cat or a dog just yet. taking care of a cat or dog is a big responsibility, don't you think?

Terrence Watson · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 10:07 am Post subject:

why not get a rabbit or a hamster? the boy would learn how to value small creatures Smile

Sasha MacNeille · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 1:52 pm Post subject:

Turtles. Why not give him a turtle or two? Very Happy

Joseph Niska · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject:

I have a radical suggestion: why not give the boy every small pet you can think of? That's so he can learn how to appreciate all the animals. He can have a mini zoo in the house. Laughing

Keith Kitson · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 1:18 pm Post subject:

Forget my earlier suggestion. Joseph's right. Give that kid all the great small pets you can find.

Gina Cavendish · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

as a parent, i won't recommend a mini zoo for a five-year old, as cool as the idea may sound. the kid's still a toddler and he just isn't ready for the responsibilities that come with taking care of multiple pets yet. i agree with michelle.. a goldfish is an ideal pet for a five-year old.

Beatrice Dixon · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject:

Giving turtles seems a good idea. most 5 year-olds I know are very playful and they're always looking for something different and fun to play with. Your nephew may enjoy having the turtles - they're quite exotic.

Terrence Watson · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 9:25 am Post subject:

but turtles aren't normal pets. what i mean is, it's not like a dog, cat or a rabbit that can interact with the child. turtles are very passive. a kid needs a pet that he can play and interact with, not just pet and pat.

Sasha MacNeille · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

I beg to disagree. Turtles may not be as common a pet as dogs but they make great pets. They can interact and play with kids too. Just try petting one and you'll know what I mean.

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

well, if you ask me, I still prefer a dog/pup for the kid. when i was a child, i grew up with dogs around me and it really made me happier. i developed fondness towards them that early. Smile

Trish Coyne · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

i'd suggest to give your nephew a small pet first or an animal that is easy to take care of.

Joey Concha · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:52 pm Post subject:

What do you think is the easiest animal to take care of?

I'd say a fish.

Smile

Megan Turnbull · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

yeah, fish are easy but it's the aquarium that will need to be cleaned. Very Happy

Beatrice Dixon · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

exactly. i think all pets need some maintenance in one way or another. turtles or pups seem better than fish though because the kid can directly play with it. what do you think? Wink

Douglas Barr · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

I think a puppy is the best pet for a kid. Fish are boring for children. They may like it at first, but believe me they will get tired of it. A puppy, on the other hand, can be a kid's playmate or walking buddy.

I don't think a kitten is advisable for children since cats are very sensitive creatures and might end up just hurting the poor child or vice versa. Don't you guys agree? No offense meant to the cat lovers. Wink

Edith Pope · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 3:42 pm Post subject:

I'm quite traditional. Puppies are still the best choice for me.

Liz Munro · Flea egg Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

Petmeister, so what happened? have you decided what to get for your nephew? Cool

Jennifer Trenton · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:59 pm Post subject:

what a surprise if Petmeister says he gave his nephew ALL the pets we recommended! Laughing

Douglas Barr · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 11:44 am Post subject: