9 Great Pets – Reviewed with Children in Mind

Includes 3 Very Low Maintenance Options & 3 Common Choices That Are Not Ideal

Sometimes it’s hard to know what kind of pet would best suit your family and your child, if you don’t have a lot of experience with animals. Enter me, black pants covered in cat hair, glasses askew because I fell while walking the dog, ringer off on phone so we can talk (and so no one can call and try to give me the rabbit they no longer want). Nine pets that have lived in and around my home made this list – with my honest thoughts on how compatible they are with children.

Having a pet can teach children responsibility and compassion. I’m all for it.  This list is not meant to discourage anyone, but rather help you go into it with eyes wide open. But by all means, march in! With a little thought and planning, it’s a total win-win, for the animal and your family. Children can learn a lot about life from a pet.

It’s ultimately a family thing.

Oftentimes, families choose pets that are not a great match for their lifestyle or with unrealistic expectations. Common choices are often furry impulse buys. And more often than not, the parent ends up with the bulk of the responsibility and arguments ensue. Neither the family nor the pet live happily ever after in that scenario.

It goes without saying that a lot of thought should be put into choosing a pet that is right for your family. Having a family pet and delegating chores is a great way to get everyone involved and learning how to care for an animal.

Because you need to remember that ultimately the pet is part of the family; the responsibility to show compassion and to care for it will fall on everyone at some point.

Realistically consider your child’s maturity.

The age of your child is another important consideration.

When your child asks for a pet, consider their maturity level and how much thought they have put into their request.

Did they fall in love with a furry critter impulsively during a walk-through at the pet shop? Do they want a rabbit because their friend has a rabbit? Or have they been asking for the same kind of animal for a while and have tried to learn all they can about the care of that animal? Take their request seriously if they have.

I wanted a guinea pig for 2 years when I was in middle school. I read everything I could get my hands on, and recited most of it to my mom on a regular basis. To be honest, I think I wore her down. However, she saw that my enthusiasm didn’t wane even when she said no (repeatedly). She finally let me get two female guinea pigs that lived in my room and were entirely my responsibility. I will never forget Butterscotch and Mandy, the beginning of a long line of critters I have loved.

There is nothing wrong with impulsively falling in love with a chinchilla you met seven minutes ago, or taking in the hamster that is in need of a home, mind you. But for a true match made in heaven, a little homework goes a long way.

Is there such a thing as a low maintenance pet?

Low maintenance as in, you can go on vacation and drop these off at any ole relative or friend’s house (or have someone stop by, in the case of #3) with instructions that sound kind of like: “Throw some food and fresh water and glance in their direction every day.” No boarding fee or guilty, maternal, hand-wringing worry as you drive away, involved.

Get ready because these aren’t the fuzzy wuzzy choices you were hoping for, but they are about as simple as you can get and still get some real satisfaction and joy out of owning them:

3 Very Low Maintenance Pets

1. Hermit Crabs  

These guys get my #1 spot, all day, e’er day. They aren’t as creepy as you think. Setting up a habitat for them was a lot of fun when my son was young. He loved rearranging their home and got lots of enjoyment out of owning them.

They are about as easy as it gets.

Our first hermit crab home was a large aquarium, odd-sized, no lid. Sand is the best choice I found for the simplest, most care-free, almost no maintenance it’s so low maintenance, substrate.

Later hermit crab enclosures even included an old hamster cage. (They like climbing on the wire.)

In that first aquarium, our hermit crab habitat sported a big shell as a food dish and a shallow water dish with sponges in it (they can’t swim) and shells (they need options for larger homes as they grow) and driftwood to climb on. We never used any additional heat. Sammy used to rearrange the drift wood and occasionally the largest one – a monster of a hermit crab in a black shell, not for the faint of heart – would climb right out. We’d later hear him pecking along the side of the glass trying to get back in. Or maybe he just walked in a circle and ended up where he started. (They don’t really learn tricks, so don’t get too excited.)

The hermit crabs were a great way to teach responsibility, caring for a pet, and setting up a habitat, without having a high maintenance animal to care for and find boarding for when you’re on vacation. They also won’t break any budgets.

Another bonus: little hands won’t accidentally hurt these guys and instead they’ll learn how to handle CAREFULLY so they don’t get pinched.

Here’s a confession: every time we go to the ocean and I see all those hermit crabs in the shops, it takes me back to when my kids were little, and only an act of God (manifested in the form of my husband dragging me out of the store) keeps me from buying a few.

2. Snails, Ants, Crickets, Pill Bugs…with carefully crafted terrariums & habitats!

I think I heard you say, “These aren’t pets!!” My reply: how sad that you have buried your inner child.

I had ants and snails and caterpillars and potato bugs in my tender loving care as a child, and I can’t believe that I’m the only kid who did that. Most children love critters. We scream and eww and eek the fascination out of them and replace it with unfounded fear.

Some critters are great for catch and release observations. This does not count quite as a pet, but it sure counts toward education and awareness of nature and compassion and observation of God’s incredible creation. And that ought to count for something.

Ant farms can be ordered and are fascinating.

Read A Cricket in Times Square and then tell me you don’t want a cricket.

Frogs and newts are best bought from a pet shop if you want to keep them. A small aquarium can accommodate interesting newts and salamanders.

We had toads and frogs from the pet shop when the kids were young, and the one I recommend the most: White’s Tree Frog. He was a delight! Certain noises – the vacuum, for one – always made him croak! Amphibians are not recommended as a pet you can handle, as it’s not good for them. However, our White’s Tree Frog was game to sit on our shirt or shoulder while his cage was cleaned out. If you really love the ‘cricket as a pet’ idea, beware the frogs, as crickets are the amphibians’ main diet.

As well as caring for an interesting little critter, reading opportunities abound as you learn more about the species and their unique care, and set up habitats accordingly.

3. Fish  

I know this pet isn’t hands on, but it is satisfying in its own way.

And fish tanks are very relaxing and make a great ‘night light’ in a bedroom.

Setting up a fish tank seems so complicated, but it’s really not.

It is true that you can lose fish during the initial cycling of the water in a new tank set up, but I have never lost so many that I was inclined to undertake a fishless cycling process with a new tank. If you are interested, I found this article on fishless cycling – I’m not recommending or discouraging this method; I actually have no experience with it – and this article explaining the best way to cycle a new tank with fish.

My best advice here: goldfish are often thought of as the easiest option, and they aren’t. They are really messy. If you want goldfish, go for it, but don’t be discouraged from tropical fish by thinking goldfish would be easier, because that’s just not true. Also, goldfish need more room than is typically believed.

Also, GO BIG with the tank. Smaller tanks are NOT easier to take care of. A good filter does most of the work for you.

A small tank that you have to clean out by hand (for a betta or a goldfish) is a lot more work than a large tank with a good filter.

You will need a tank (I recommend a 10 gallon as the absolute minimum), a filter, some gravel for the bottom (you can get by with a thinner layer of rock than the ‘recommended’ amount), a heater (although I have done without for many of my tanks as my home temperature is 70 degrees or higher all the time), and a bottle of water conditioner like Stress Coat or Quick Start. These are the bare minimum requirements.

A lid is recommended – some fish will jump out, and a lid will keep pets out of the tank. Also, lids have lights, which adds to the attractiveness of your tank. (Lights can be added other ways – some attach to the side of the tank, a light can be hung over the tank from the ceiling or in a cabinet displaying the tank – but a lid with a light is the easiest way to showcase the tank.)

Decorations and plants are up to you and your preferences.

I also recommend a gravel vacuum for cleaning and water changes. Mine is not fancy and requires submersion or frantic shaking to get the water started into the hose. I keep reminding myself to get one of the ones that does the vacuuming for me, but I have managed just fine all these years with the simpler one.

You can spend as little or as much as you want setting up the tank, but once it’s set up, the expense is minimal: additional fish, decorations, fish food, and filter cartridges.

The Middle Oddball, also a Great Pet Choice – Hear me out…

Number 4 rolls in between the “so low maintenance it’s ridiculous” and the “high maintenance as heck but rewarding” as kind of a “you may not have thought of this one, but it’s pretty interesting”:

4. Chickens

You read that right. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to own a few chickens. You’re just going to have to get some and find out for yourself.

Many chicken breeds are docile and easy to tame. This article is about the three gentle breeds of chickens that live in my yard. There are many others. If you have limited space, there are bantams and other small breeds as well.

The more time spent with the chickens, the tamer they will be, so your child’s patience will be rewarded.

Not only will the chickens prove to be a good pet, there is the added bonus of eggs. Children are usually delighted to supplement the family meals with eggs from their own chickens, and giving eggs to other family members or neighbors is very rewarding. With a small flock of prolific layers, your child could even make some extra money selling eggs. So many valuable life lessons: learning about the care of an animal, the value of money, expenses and income, and marketing!

Another thing: if you really don’t want a pet inside your house, this is the option for you!

Not Low Maintenance but Rewarding Pets

These two are not low maintenance but very rewarding and offer loads of teaching moments about life, compassion, patience, and responsibility.

5. Cats

Cats are reasonably low maintenance for the amount of return you get. In other words, if you want more of a companion animal – in comparison with most low maintenance pets that are enjoyable for what they are, many to be observed or cared for without expecting much or any interaction.

Cats’ individual personalities vary, so there’s no guarantee your feline friend will want to sleep in your child’s bed with them at night or be tolerant of their often over-bearing affection. And just because this is a bigger animal, with claws and teeth, don’t leave a cat to defend itself. Don’t allow your child to drag a cat around just because you think the cat will be fine or it doesn’t protest. That’s not fair to the cat, and it’s not the lesson you’re trying to instill in your child.

I consider cats semi-low-maintenance because of their independent nature. Most cats would be fine to be left at home while you’re on vacation as long as you have someone checking on them, scooping litterboxes, and keeping the food and water bowls full. They are not needy of special accommodations if your family has long work days or seasons – little league baseball, for example – when you are away from home for hours at a time.

There is more of a financial commitment than with other small furries. Other than food, water, and litterboxes, a spay or neuter surgery is recommended. A cat that never leaves the house isn’t as in dire need of rabies, vaccinations, and flea/tick treatments as a cat that spends time outdoors. Our current cats are house cats only – many tragedies befall cats outside in the country, roads and coyotes being top contenders for their demise.

Even if you don’t need all the bells and whistles of regular check-ups, it’s likely that you will need to save up for vet visits at various points in your pet’s life.

However, cats are more hands-on than other furry pets and interact more. Marnier, the cat that showed up as a skinny stray at our house, didn’t trust being held or cushiony beds when she arrived lurking around the wooded area in our front yard. Now if I sit down for more than two seconds, she’s on my lap, and she is my constant companion with every step I take through the house. I have affectionately dubbed her, “my best friend.”

 6. Dogs

Don’t tell my cat I said this, but the dogs are my favorite. I feel a little traitorous saying so, since Marnier loves me so much. Although we did rescue her from a life on the street corner so I guess she feels a little indebted.

You just can’t beat a dog for companionship. You also can’t beat a dog for messes, unexpected catastrophes, potential astronomical vet bills, chewed shoes, embarrassing sniffing of guests, and noise.

If you read all that without blinking, run, do not walk, to the nearest shelter and adopt one of these big furballs immediately.

Because you also can’t beat a dog for making you laugh, knowing when you most need to snuggle, unconditional love, being SO EXCITED to see you EVERY time they see you, joyful tail wagging, and adorable puppy dog eyes.

Your life will never be the same, but more in a good way than not.

And children seldom forget the memories and the bond they shared with the dog of their childhood.

Dogs, however, require a lot of maintenance. You get A LOT of return on what you put into them – they are wonderful companion animals – but you have to put a lot in. They need not only food, water and regular vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery is HIGHLY recommended (you’ll be glad you did) and they need frequent exercise and bathroom walks as well.

If they are to be allowed outside without a leash, you need to consider some sort of fencing, which can be a considerable expense.

A puppy is a big time commitment. They are cute, but you need to have a lot of patience to housetrain, leash train, and help them adjust to your family’s schedule.

A dog is a great pet, and I highly recommend them for families and for children. Just know that they will be a FAMILY pet, requiring everyone to be on board with their care and well-being, because a dog sees everyone in the home as their pack.

Also, adopting from a shelter or a rescue is a good way to make sure you get a good match for your family. Most rescues are very responsible about trying to place the right dog in the right situations. Each dog is an individual, but do your homework about the various breeds as well – don’t just listen to your Aunt Karen or popular misconceptions about an entire breed.

And especially remember this: only bring a dog into your family if you are committed for the rest of their lives. They live 10-15 years, sometimes longer. They consider your family their pack, their family. It’s not fair to adopt a cute puppy then lose interest when old age comes and health problems arise.

If you can’t commit to their lifetime, choose a pet with a shorter lifespan and less maintenance.

Not Ideal Pet choices for children, but great pets (if you know what to expect)

Numbers 7-9 are wonderful pets, and common choices for children. But they shouldn’t be. They are indeed great pets, but are not suited to be the sole responsibility of the youngest member of the family.

7. Guinea pigs

(require a lot of supervision & commitment from parent for handling and taming)

Guinea pigs are great little animals, don’t get me wrong. A responsible, older child could really enjoy a guinea pig as a pet.

I have them at the bottom of the list because people fall in love with their cuddly cuteness and don’t realize that they are not miniature dogs. Their demeanors are very different.

I told you I owned my first guinea pigs when I was around 12 or 13 years old. I loved those girls like crazy, and wouldn’t dare say that a guinea pig is not a delightful choice as a pet…If you know this is what you want.

We allowed Aspen to own guinea pigs as a preteen/young teenager. At this age, your child can easily take all the responsibility for a pet of this size and with these daily requirements.

Read up on the animal and watch youtube videos and look at housing options – do all the homework and if you’re still smitten, by all means, get a guinea pig! (Their vocalizations are some of the best sounds, ever.) However, don’t expect a very young child to be able to care for a guinea pig properly or handle a guinea pig properly or really get much out of owning a guinea pig.

So if you want a guinea pig while your children are young, expect to do most of the work.

8. Hamsters and Mice

(fast, hard for children to handle)

We have had both and here are my observations: hamsters are kind of like those little characterizations that sit on the shoulders of comic figures – you know, the devil and the angel.

We had a hamster named Lucy who was as gentle as a lamb and just as cute. I had several others that were not quite as docile, but adorable enough to overlook momentary bouts of psychopathic tendencies.

For every one that was a doll, we probably owned 3 that would rather gnaw off your hand to the wrist as look at it. Seriously, if hamsters were bigger, the human race might be in jeopardy.

Mice, on the other hand, are very docile, in our experience. But flighty. Fast. Impossible for little hands to keep up with.

And these little critters are a temptation for young children to hold too tightly so they don’t lose them…a hamster would probably defend itself and leave  your child without an appendage before being squeezed to death, and a poor little mouse wouldn’t stand a chance.

Again, these are fine for older children that are aware of these characteristics and can appreciate these animals for what they are, instead of expecting them to be something they are not.

AND: of all the little critters I have mentioned here, I think these require the most cage maintenance. Even more than guinea pigs, because, guinea pigs tend to choose an area of their cage as their ‘bathroom’ plus you can pick up their random droppings (because they are dry and not odorous) daily. Part of your guinea pig cage can be outfitted in fleece, even! For mice and hamsters, consistent and frequent entire cage cleaning is necessary.

9. Rabbits

With a heavy heart, I rank one of my favorite pets last. OK, don’t tell the cats that rabbits are my second favorite pet and the cats come in third. I’m just trying to prove to you that I’m not biased against rabbits as pets. However, rabbits are not well-suited as pets for children. Rabbit bones are very fragile. Being prey animals, many of them do not like to be held or picked up. (There are exceptions, of course.)

Because of their size and furriness, people get a rabbit expecting a miniature cat or dog personality. They are neither.

Rabbits are fantastic pets – if you love rabbits.

Do your research and adopt a rabbit if you decide they are right for you, but don’t buy one for a child. Children are seldom taught how to properly care for these animals and expect them to be cuddly and responsive, and are disappointed when they aren’t. Rabbits can bite, just like any animal with teeth, but more likely to kick when distressed or scared. I have had many a nasty, long scratch along my arms, legs, and stomach from a rabbit that I had to carry who didn’t want to be carried, or who panicked. It’s hard to hold onto a rabbit when they panic, and strong-arming them at these times can lead to serious injuries, especially broken legs and broken backs.  

ALSO: the cages I have seen stores selling for rabbits are far too small to properly house a rabbit. If you decide a rabbit is the pet for you, consider a pet playpen or making your own cage with shelving panels and zip ties. Check out the House Rabbit Society and other websites for ideas.

I have owned over 40 rabbits (most of which were pets no longer wanted by their owner who had heard from a friend who heard from a friend that I was a big ole sucker and wouldn’t say no to a rabbit in need of a home…) I have housetrained many of them – they tend to easily learn to use a litter box. Sometimes they still scatter ‘pellets’ but they are odorless and hard, and can be easily swept up.

Even if you litter train your rabbit, it is still good to have some sort of enclosure for the rabbit’s protection (and your home’s). Rabbits are chewers – it is not because they are ‘bad’ and you cannot punish them for this behavior. Their teeth constantly grow, and they need to keep them worn down. Your furniture is fair game, but of more concern are electrical cords. Many rabbits have gotten a jolt, and some have died from chewing through an electrical cord.

One more thing: I have found it very difficult to find rabbit savvy vets. And I’m not talking about offices that say they will see rabbits, I mean vets that actually know a lot about rabbits. Be prepared to do some homework when it comes to their health, diet, etc. Also beware of vets that charge astronomical prices because they consider rabbits “exotics.” I have unfortunately discovered that many times this does not imply more knowledge of the care required by rabbits. If a vet attempts to treat them as they would a cat or any other animal, be careful! Rabbits’ systems are very different and have vastly different requirements, especially with anesthesia and medications. I’m not trying to bash veterinarians (because there are some truly wonderful ones out there), but I only want to warn potential owners. My first rabbit died after being prescribed oral amoxicillin for what should have been a simple to treat respiratory problem – I didn’t know better at the time and sadly, neither did the vet. I admit I use veterinarian services rarely and with caution when it comes to my rabbits. Check with other rabbit owners or rescues in your area for recommendations.

A good reference for rabbit health is A House Rabbit Primer: Understanding and Caring for Your Companion Rabbit by Lucile C Moore.

Children and Pets

Being a pet owner means many things. Not all of the things are neat and tidy, Instagram-picture-perfect, or easy. But it is worth it.

I’ve tried to honestly assess what I’ve observed about animals that have lived, or currently live, at my house, with children. I’m a huge fan of children having pets, so don’t think my frank cautions are meant to discourage.

I want you to be prepared, be ready, and be informed. But I also really want you to add a pet to your family.

Children learn so much from animals – not only about the animals, but about themselves. Valuable life lessons – the good, the bad, and the ugly – abound. 

Children learn responsibility, compassion, and patience. They learn joy and companionship, sacrifice and loss.

And of course, when they are grown, there’s the memories.

We can put a price on the dog food, the aquarium, the cat toys, and the terrarium. We can even assess the amount of time spent caring for an animal and the lessons learned over the years. But it’s the memories that are truly priceless. Unforgettable. Irreplaceable.

Having a pet while your children are very young is a grand adventure. It means a lot more work for you, but a lot more memories and fun, too.