7 Best Small Pets to Consider for Your Child (2024)

When you want to add a pet to your family, it can be easy to forget that cats and dogs aren't your only options. But compact pets can be just as cute and easier to care for, requiring less attention and possibly cheaper.

For children over 5 years old, small pets can be a good choice and take care of themteaches children responsibility, says Jennifer Graham, DVM, associate professor of zoological companion animal medicine at Tufts University's Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

To find out if a small pet might work for your children, you need to do just as much research as you would if you were considering a larger animal. Some of the most popular pets, such as hamsters and guinea pigs, look similar, but they are very different in their needs and the way they interact with people.

As you think about which small pet might be right for your family, consider these seven options: some traditional and some less so. Regardless of which one you welcome into your home, remember that they all have unique needs and characteristics.

Hamsters

This classic little pet is easy to care for and can even be potty trained. That said, hamsters can be quite feisty, and small breeds (and especially females) can be quite aggressive, says Katherine Quesenberry, DVM, chief medical officer at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City. This makes some hamsters more difficult to handle than others. Dr. Graham recommends bringing home a larger breed, such as a Syrian hamster, which may be better suited to your family's care.

A hamster should be kept in a spacious cage with tunnels and nesting areas for sleeping (just make sure the cage is easy to clean). They typically live for about three years, so consider how much your child wants to interact with them. If they lose interest, those years can seem like a long time. They may also appear shortif the pet dies.

Unless your child has experienced the loss of a loved one, the experience will be shocking, even though it may provide a life lesson. “It can be sad, but also a way to introduce the idea that everything dies,” says Dr. Graham. “You can be there as your child goes through the experience.”

Guinea pig

Although guinea pigs belong to the same rodent family as hamsters, their behavior couldn't be more different. These rodents are gentle and have a sweet spirit, which makes them less likely to bite.

Guinea pigs can be very social, meaning they don't mind being handled - as long as they are kept properly - and they don't mind if young children want to interact with them. However, if you're looking to add a new pet to your family, consider your other options; Because they are social creatures, guinea pigs do best in pairs or small groups.

These cuddly creatures are ideal for a child who is just learning how to care for a pet, as they are less likely to become frustrated with a young caregiver. Guinea pigs also have a longer lifespan than hamsters (they live about five to seven years) and require more time and effort. Their enormous appetite means they eat a lot of hay and vegetables, which can make them messier than other small mammals; You may need to clean their cages more often.

Gerbils

“Gerbils are easy to care for, but not very practical,” says Dr. Queenberry. “They're great for kids who don't want to be so involved.” Unlike hamsters and guinea pigs, gerbils have a relatively short lifespan: about two years. Feeding gerbils is easy because they have a standard diet similar to that of rats and hamsters: rodent pellets and food blocks, along with some supplemental seed mixes.

Gerbils are generally not aggressive and can therefore be kept, but they are very fast, so it will not be easy to keep them for a long time. This speed means a lot of activity in the cage, which can pique your child's interest. Gerbils are more sensitive to their environment than other small animals, and too much moisture can cause breathing and coat problems. If you are concerned that your environment is too humid for a gerbil, contact a gerbilveterinary surgeon.

Rotter

A rat may not be the first small pet on your list, but "they are among the best pets for young children," says Dr. Graham. "Rats can be calm, relaxed and not as boisterous as other small mammals, and they can be handled a lot."

Rats make great companions if you want your child to develop a strong bond with a pet because they are interactive and can learn tricks such as finding objects and navigating mazes or obstacle courses.

Because rats enjoy interacting with people and things, a variety of toys and accessories, from ropes to paper towel rolls, will keep them happy and occupied. Rats are also easy to care for and require a standard rodent diet of food blocks. However, like gerbils, rats have a short lifespan, ranging from two to three years.

Rabbits

You can consider these popular small pets for children, as long as there is adequate adult supervision. It is very important to ensure that they are treated safely and receive the care they need. Like guinea pigs, rabbits have a pleasant disposition - which can be good for younger children - but they can be very fragile.

Although larger breeds can be especially gentle, Dr. Quesenberry states that all rabbits are spayed or neutered to prevent aggression (and to prevent uterine cancer in females). This is especially important if you keep more than one rabbit in the same room, which is ideal given their social needs.

A rabbit can live eight to twelve years. They may be house trained, but they are not the easiest small pets to care for. Rabbits need a lot of space and a lot of attention. Dr. Quesenberry notes that a good diet is important to ensure their health and happiness: hay, fresh vegetables and rabbit pellets.

Chinchillaer

Chinchillas are a more exotic option for children who want to see their pet rather than interact with it directly. Although gentle, chinchillas can be very agile and fast, and may not be suitable for small children who cannot handle them safely, says Dr. Koninginnebes. They need a diet of chinchilla pellets and hay, with vegetables as a treat.

Unlike their small pets, chinchillas should be provided with a dust bath rather than a water bath. You will need to purchase chinchilla dust (specially formulated to mimic the dust in their natural environment) and place it in a sturdy bowl or deep dish. Alternatively, you can purchase a fabric house. A chinchilla needs a dust bath two to three times a week, outside the cage; the cage should be multi-level so he can climb up and down.

With a lifespan of about 12 to 15 years, chinchillas live much longer than guinea pigs and other rodents.

Hedgehog

These spiky mammals may not make cute pets, but they are cute, friendly, and relatively long-lived, with a lifespan of five to seven years. And if you touch hedgehogs while they are still young, they will become social with your child. The downside is that you may end up spending more money on it.

“Hedgehogs require more care and are prone to more health problems than other small pets,” says Dr. Queenberry. “They have a higher incidence of disease and sometimes develop mouth cancer and get mites, so your vet bills may be a little higher.”

Hedgehogs are omnivores and therefore need a different diet with vegetables and special foods with proteins. Sometimes cat food can meet the requirements, but please contact your veterinarian. If you're thinking of getting a hedgehog as a pet, make sure you check local laws; in some states it is illegal to own these small mammals.