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8 great pet options for toddlers and small children

Paige Cerulli
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Pets can enhance a child’s life, teaching them important lessons about love, responsibility, and caring for an individual. But when it comes to children and pets, the safety of both parties is always a concern. With careful guidance and supervision, even toddlers can have one, but it’s important to put plenty of thought into choosing the right pet for your children. If you’d like to add a pet to your home with young kids, the following pets could be a good choice.

Fish

Goldfish swimming in a tank
Hans/Pixabay

Fish are perhaps the best pet for toddlers and young kids. Kids can watch and feed their fish, and fish are relatively easy to care for. Because fish aren’t handled and played with like other pets, they can be perfect for young kids who are still learning how to interact with pets gently.

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Rats

Two rats eating the top of a pumpkin
kirahoffmann/Pixabay

Rats tend to be highly social, making them great pets for families. They’re also larger than hamsters and mice, making it easier for a toddler to pat them while an adult holds them. Rats often do best when living in pairs, and they require minimal care. Rats are also affordable and widely available, making them an easily accessible first pet.

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Guinea pigs

Guinea pig sitting on a lawn
vantagepointfl/Pixabay

Guinea pigs can be excellent pets for young kids. They tend to be naturally friendly and social, and their size makes them easier for littler kids to pick up and interact with than smaller pets like hamsters and gerbils.

Dogs

Young girl playing with puppy on a lawn
platinumportfolio/Pixabay

Many dogs do well with kids as long as children are appropriately supervised. From playing to cuddling to taking a walk together, kids and dogs can share many experiences. Dogs have longer life spans than many smaller pets, so your kid can grow up alongside this type of pet.

Rabbits

Young girl patting a grey rabbit
Nastya_Gepp/Pixabay

Are bunnies good pets for toddlers? It depends on the rabbit. A rabbit that’s been socialized since birth and that is a larger breed may do well around kids, but some rabbits aren’t highly social with people and might be frightened by a child’s quick movements. Larger-breed rabbits do require generous cage space and plenty of time to roam around and stretch their legs, so this pet won’t be ideal for all families.

Turtles

Turtle walking across a grassy lawn
Yavanessa/Pixabay

Some kids may enjoy having a turtle as a pet. Turtles can be fun to observe, and a turtle can be kept safely in its tank until an adult is available to supervise a child handling it. Turtles require a bit more care than other small pets like rats, so it’s best if an adult in the home is already familiar with caring for this type of pet.

Cats

Black and white kitten lying on a railing
Bairyna/Pixabay

Cats can be good pets with young kids, but it’s important to find a cat who has the right temperament to be calm and happy around children. A cat who is laid-back and social will often be the best option for a home with young kids, but it’s also important to supervise kids and teach them about the cat’s boundaries.

Birds

Parakeet sitting on the arm of a chair
Klickblick/Pixabay

A bird can liven up a household and provide plenty of entertainment for young kids. Birds are available in many different sizes, so this type of pet may be a good fit no matter what size your home. Many birds have longer life spans, allowing your child to share many years with this type of pet.

Pet and child safety

While some types of pets are better suited to life with young kids than others, it’s always essential to carefully supervise kids anytime they’re around a pet. Remember that pets are individuals, too, so even if a type of pet typically does well with children, you just might find a dog, cat, or another pet who really doesn’t enjoy the situation.

Having a pet means that you’ll need to talk to your child about how to safely handle that pet. This is a good time to teach rules about boundaries and respecting a pet’s space. Even when a child seems to understand those rules, never leave your child alone with a pet. Instead, always carefully supervise interactions to help keep both the pet and your child safe.

The decision to get a pet is a big one, so put plenty of thought and planning into it. If you’re worried that your child may be too young, there’s nothing wrong with waiting a year or two. Being extra cautious can help ensure that when you do welcome a pet into your home, it’s a positive event for everyone involved.

If you want to know more about any type of pet you might get, PawTracks got you covered

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Here are the reasons why your hamster might be shaking and this is what you should do about it
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It's certainly a terrifying sight to find your hamster shaking. Just as it would sound the alarm if a human were shivering uncontrollably, so, too, should you leap into action with your pet. However, it can be tricky to nail down the exact cause, and a trip to the vet won't hurt if you don't spot an immediate explanation. While illness does lead to the shakes at times, you'll want to look into a few more of the mundane triggers first to rule that out. When you wonder, "Why is my hamster shaking?" look at these options to determine the issue.

Why is my hamster sitting still and shaking?
No one reason applies in every case, so you need to do a bit of detective work. We'll start with the most common reasons — which are also the least scary.
He's frightened
Lots of times when hamsters shake, it's from fear. Things that don't look (or smell) scary to you could set your hamster off with seemingly no notice. Try to perceive the world through the eyes of a small pet to figure out what's troubling him. For example, a dog or cat scent could send him into panic mode even as you struggle to perceive it. Those are his predators! Remove the offending object or beastie and see if he returns to normal.
He went into hibernation
If you can cross fear off the list, think next to the temperature of the room. In the wild, hamsters hibernate, and they'll immediately slip into that mode when it gets too chilly. You most likely don't want your hamster to go down for a long sleep, and it probably isn't safe for him to remain inactive. Maintain a consistent temperature in the room and include a thermometer in or right next to the cage. Select a good area of the house as well that doesn't have too many drafts and isn't too close to a radiator. If you do walk into a freezing room and find your little guy zoned out, return the temp to normal (slowly) to spark him out of his hibernation. There will almost certainly be some shaking during this process, but it's not a concern. Once he gets back to normal, it'll stop. If it doesn't, that means something else is going on. 
It's a medical condition
Hamsters get colds — sometimes lots of them. Examine his physical symptoms aside from the shaking to check for the sniffles. Seriously, he might sneeze and cough and get a runny nose just like you would. While hamster sniffles are a bit cute, the little guys can actually die from colds or other infections. Don't just check his sweet face, though; you also want to monitor his backside and spot diarrhea or other stomach problems quickly (especially wet tail, which kills hamsters in less than 48 hours). The shaking could stem from diabetes, nervous system disorders, or stroke. Pay close attention to all the symptoms as a whole to narrow it down.

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Are ducks good pets? 8 things to consider when thinking of adopting these cute feathered friends
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Many have yearned for an ugly adorable duckling to call their own, but don't dive into this journey without some planning first. Under the right circumstances, ducks make great pets — they're cuddly, they're very intelligent, and they're social. These birds specifically love to be part of a group, sometimes called a raft, and will bond with both you and one another. As with many pets though, owning a duck comes with a list of good (and not-so-good) things to consider before you gather your flock.

Are ducks good pets? Here's what you need to know
As with all pets, it depends on what you're looking for. Be mindful of their need for space, water, outdoors, companionship, and protection. Ducks are not for everyone but will add a spunky sense of fun to the right home. Think about these eight things before getting ducks.
They live outdoors
Rule number one: Your pet duckling must live outside. They just can't be happy in any type of fully indoor enclosure, though you will want to provide some respite from the elements. Only dabble with ducks if you can secure sufficient outdoor space for them — free from predators, including dogs and cats who might mistake your cute and snuggly pet for a meal.
They need a house with a pool
Many folks keep their pet ducks in a shed or doghouse to provide a perfect cozy spot for them. Include a comfy straw bed and protection from wind. Of course, ducks need a pool for swimming, too. A pond or kiddie pool will do well, depending on how big your flock is. Ducklings can't fly, so you don't have to worry about them escaping, but they won't thrive unless they have ample space. Fencing around your yard will help keep pets in and predators out.

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Do turtles make good pets? This one fact may make you reconsider
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Some like dogs and some like cats, but there's a whole other category of people who enjoy a different kind of pet. Sometimes it's not a furry animal that completes your home, but a little something else. Birds, lizards, turtles, and snakes all can make perfect companions for the right person with the right setup. But don't jump into reptile ownership without giving it a thorough examination first — there's a lot that is tricky about taking care of these creatures. As always, you need to research "turtles as pets" carefully, including the downsides, before you decide to become a Testudine parent.

What types of turtles make for good pets?
In order to choose the right little guy, you first need to make a big decision: land or sea? Of course, all turtles need some amount of water, but aquatic species live almost entirely in rivers or ponds while terrestrial species spend most of their time on the ground. From there you can narrow it down depending on the size of animal you want to keep and the conditions you feel able to maintain. Two common varieties that we recommend are the red-eared slider and the box turtle. You'll still have choices to make as you'll find variety when you go to the breeder or pet store to find your new shell-friend.
What does your pet turtle need to stay healthy?
Before you even bring your pet home, you'll have to get a new enclosure ready for him. Exact needs vary by animal, but you'll want a body of water, adequate substrate, a UV lamp, and a basking area. For an aquatic turtle, your tank will look more like an aquarium with a few good pieces of land that enable them to climb out and warm up in the artificial sun. Lastly, don't make the mistake of getting a tiny tank just because your baby turtle looks small now. An adult needs 10 gallons for every inch of their shell.

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