Pets not only bring a special atmosphere to the family, but also help the children who care for them, learn responsibility. If you don't want to get a cat or dog, and if you don't have much space in your apartment, then you should think about smaller pets.
There are many cute little animals in the world that can become your pets. But before you bring such an animal home, you should carefully study their character and habits. Not all of these creatures can be hugged and held close.
Choose pet for your child should also be based on how old your offspring is. Of course children can learn responsibility through care and communication with the animal, however, experiments can end disastrously for both the pet and your child.
That is why we offer you a list of ten furry and not so potential candidates for the role of a pet for your child. All you have to do is read the information provided and choose the pet that suits you most.
Pets
Hedgehogs
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Hedgehogs are the cutest little animals that actually require minimal attention from you. However, it is worth keeping in mind that if you rarely have contact with such a pet, then a hedgehog can become quite aggressive, bringing a lot of problems.
Hedgehogs are for you if you like independent animals. They are loners by nature and usually lead a corresponding lifestyle. It is better to keep a hedgehog in a cage (like for rabbits), but do not forget - they are great at climbing, so why not close it with a lid so that the hedgehog does not escape.
Hedgehogs mainly eat food for cats or dogs, but it is necessary to periodically add eggs, insects, vegetables and fruits, and cooked meat to the diet. Besides, Hedgehogs need to be bathed regularly, keeping them clean.
You should also know that hedgehogs are very susceptible various diseases(at least compared to many other animals), so caution is advised. Hedgehogs make great pets for older children. If hedgehogs are given more attention, they become quite obedient and sociable.
Guinea pigs
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Guinea pigs are hardly unusual pets. These cute creatures, who are often turned on for their very friendly and sociable character, are one of the largest rodents.
Adult guinea pigs can reach a length of up to thirty centimeters. They are very sweet and love to interact with their owners and other guinea pigs. They live on average from five to ten years. These are the best animals to start teaching children of any age about care and responsibility.
Guinea pigs are much less temperamental than hamsters, for example, and are much less likely to bite you. However, they require constant care. The pigs' diet should consist of special granulated food, hay, as well as vegetables and fruits.
Pet stores sell portable cages for guinea pigs, to which you can add various accessories (houses) so that your pig has a place to hide. However, the installation of a wheel is not recommended for guinea pigs, as your pet can easily injure its legs and back.
Hamsters
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Hamsters are extremely popular as pets because of their cuteness. appearance, fluffy fur and relatively low maintenance costs. They usually easily allow themselves to be picked up, although some of the smaller species can be quite restless, especially the females.
Larger species, such as the Syrian hamster, are more peaceful and better suited for your children, who will likely want to babysit them. In addition, large types of hamsters are not so gentle, quite obedient and, so to speak, more well-mannered.
On the other hand, hamsters are also completely self-sufficient loners, so they need such devices in the cage as tunnels, passages and wheel to maintain health. Plus, they don't necessarily need partners.
However, the disadvantage is the short life period hamsters - from two and a half to three years. It means that you have to be mentally prepared to your child’s feelings about the death of a pet. By the way, hamsters are predominantly nocturnal, hibernating most of the day.
Our smaller brothers
Rats
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Perhaps a rat is not the first thing that comes to your mind when your child suddenly expresses a desire to receive a pet as a gift. In vain. The Rat is supremely sociable and intelligent animal which requires minimal care.
In addition, they are very playful and love to tinker with all sorts of toys, balls, strings and can even have fun with a roll toilet paper to your own delight. So rats are the perfect little pets?
It turns out that it is so. In addition to friendliness, intelligence and sociability, they demonstrate great affection for their owners. In other words, be prepared for the fact that your children will also be inflamed with reciprocal love.
Rats have amazing memories for such small creatures. They are very unpretentious in food, although you can also purchase the most suitable food for them in the appropriate stores. However, like hamsters, rats have a very short life cycle of two to three years.
Gerbils
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Gerbils are collective animals that natural environment form colonies. That is why it is recommended to keep them in small groups - from two to four individuals. But don't be afraid - they are very inexpensive to maintain.
They prefer a mixed diet, very often storing quite large reserves of food (if the opportunity arises). You can pick them up and stroke them, but you should do this very carefully, since gerbils are extremely gentle creatures and can easily be harmed.
There are a very large number of species of gerbils, but at home they often contain the so-called Mongolian gerbil. These animals are very clean animals and practically do not smell. Unlike hamsters, gerbils are not nocturnal animals.
They are quite independent creatures, so they can easily entertain themselves throughout the day. long period time. The life expectancy of gerbils is quite short - from three to four years, for which it is worth preparing mentally in advance.
Ferrets
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Ferrets are extremely active, terribly inquisitive and extremely agile animals. At the same time, they are very cute to look at and have a fluffy coat that is very pleasant to the touch. They live longer than many of their smaller cousins- from eight to ten years.
As soon as you let your ferret out of the cage, he will immediately start running around the house, exploring every nook and cranny, so you shouldn’t leave them outside the cage unattended. If the ferret is outside, someone must look after him, otherwise you will be tired of looking for him later.
They definitely need more attention than rats or hamsters, as they don't feel very comfortable if they are in a cage all day. It turns out to be a rather paradoxical situation - ferrets should not be left unattended outside the cage, but It is not advisable to keep them in a cage all day, even if you are not at home.
Ferrets are willing to be handled. They will not bite you, unless, of course, you accidentally harm them. These animals can play with you or your children all day long. They acquire their cute special attractiveness somewhere closer to three years.
Chinchillas
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Of all the furry pets offered on this list, chinchillas are the fluffiest. Their fur is thick and silky. Thanks to this, chinchillas probably It’s nicer to take everyone in your arms and stroke them.
On the other hand, chinchillas don't really like being cuddled. It's better to give her the opportunity to run around your home. An adult chinchilla reaches a length of up to 30 centimeters or even more, and females are larger than males.
Chinchillas practically do not emit an unpleasant odor. And even their secretions do not smell for several days. These cutest animals live from 10 to 15 years. The color of the fur of these creatures varies from the lightest tones to soot black.
Chinchillas do not require much attention. They eat special food, which can be freely purchased at pet stores. It is better to keep male chinchillas in pairs. But the females of these animals are solitary, so they can be kept alone.
A pet for your child
Cancer hermit
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The hermit crab is not the most common pet on this list of recommended pets. However, they are very well-mannered and very inexpensive to maintain, so they are perfect for this role.
This is a very peaceful, calm animal, not at all like those pets that you want to pick up and stroke. It is better to observe the hermit crab from afar, as he moves slowly in his aquarium, burying itself in the sand to hide its delicate little face there.
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Salvador Dali went for a walk with an anteater and knew that these friendly animals were in no way inferior in their devotion to ordinary pets. If you also want to move away from the usual cats, dogs and hamsters, then this article is for you. You'll learn why it's better to get a skunk rather than a raccoon, and what kind of fox you can bring home.
website reminds that any animal is a huge responsibility, they require careful care, training, special conditions and considerable financial investments. If you are not confident in your strengths and capabilities, then it is better to admire them at the zoo and not get a living creature just for the sake of fashion. And of course, any animal should be purchased from professional breeders in nurseries. Discourage the smuggling of wild animals.
Capybara
Increasingly, this small (the size of a Chihuahua and weighing no more than 1.5 kg) fox can be seen as a pet. Fenech is an extremely friendly creature with a huge amount energy. A cute feature of this animal is its woolen paw pads, which protect it from burns from hot sand in natural conditions.
The necessary conditions: At first, the animal needs to be given maximum attention: hand-fed, played, stroked, and under no circumstances should you shout or make sudden movements. You will also need a huge cage or a separate room filled with sand (they love to dig and make holes). In winter, you will have to think about how to provide warmth - the fennec does not tolerate low temperatures, the animal quickly catches a cold and may die.
Who should not be kept at home: The sand cat is certainly a beautiful animal and is considered one of the most comfortable pets to keep among all felines, but these animals are specially registered, and in many countries it is illegal to keep them at home.
Axolotl
These prickly creatures are incredibly cute, and it’s not for nothing that every time more people takes them as pets. Hedgehogs are good-natured and have an amazing ability to quickly get used to home conditions.
The necessary conditions: You need to immediately buy a cage and make a small shelter for the hedgehog; it is not recommended to let him explore the apartment alone - the animal may get tangled in the wires or get hurt. And it’s worth remembering that hedgehogs are predators and the basis of their diet should be raw meat.
Who should not be kept at home: If you don’t live in Africa, then getting jerboas is quite problematic, and you shouldn’t do it. This is a wild and quite aggressive rodent that will never get used to humans and will try to escape at any opportunity.
Florida blue crayfish
If you want to truly surprise everyone with your pet, then you should get a crayfish, not a simple one, but a Florida one. This almost surreal beauty will not go for a walk with you and will not follow commands, but will become a bright accent in your interior.
The necessary conditions: Require clean water, a large aquarium and a place to hide.
Who should not be kept at home: Bad news for Potter lovers: you won’t be able to have your own Hedwig. Although the white owl is not on the list of endangered animals, it is nevertheless prohibited by law in many countries to keep them; this predator is not suitable for living with people.
Kinkajou
The kinkajou is one of the favorite and most common pets in Brazil. And there really is a lot to love about him: he is very attached to his owners, loves to be petted, and loves to hug. Kinkajou are curious and love to be close to their owner: hang on the shoulders, sit on the arms, but at the same time they do not create problems and are easily accustomed.
The necessary conditions: These animals need a warm climate; it is better for residents of the northern or middle zone not to have them. You should also not keep them in pairs and under no circumstances should you leave the animal unattended alone in the apartment; be sure to lock it in an enclosure during your absence. You can keep a domestic fox in the house, but not a domesticated one. The difference between these two species is that a domestic fox is one that was bred specifically to be kept in an apartment; they undergo strict selection; a domesticated one is one that was brought from the forest to an apartment.
And it is worth remembering that foxes have a specific character: they are loyal, but at the same time independent, very curious, trusting and playful. Search mutual language It will take a long time with this pet, so you need to be patient.
The necessary conditions: The fox settles into the house faster if there are already some pets in it. The fox must be walked on a leash and monitored very carefully: the animal can swallow a piece of glass and other dangerous items. Foxes love to hide, so you need to come up with a den for them.
Who should not be kept at home: Many dishonest breeders sell domesticated fox puppies under the guise of domestic foxes, but at a lower price. Such savings will backfire: sooner or later the animal will develop instincts and it will begin to attack others, scream at night and literally go crazy with the desire to break free. And of course, never bring an ordinary wild fox into your home for your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Who should not be kept at home: Despite their incredible popularity, breeders do not recommend getting raccoons unless you are a professional and have sufficient knowledge in handling wild animals. These cunning and dexterous animals will destroy your apartment as soon as you turn away. Not everyone has the patience and strength to tame the character of this beast.
What do you think, is it possible to have exotic animals or do they have no place in cities and should they live in the wild?
If you cannot decide which animal to keep at home, the material we have prepared will help you. We will help you understand the pros and cons of keeping a particular animal.
This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age
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An animal in the house is a friend for all seven, bringing joy and a lot of positivity. When purchasing your favorite pet, it is better to immediately consider all the pros and cons.
What are the advantages of Bobikov and Sharikov? They are sociable, easy to train, and are reliable protectors. Caring for shepherds, Pekingese, poodles and any other canine species will not be difficult. They need to be fed, walked, washed and cut. Anyone who thinks that Tuzik will tear the pillows in the house, chew the wallpaper and definitely eat something should immediately say that this is a clear exaggeration.
A dog in your home will delight you for at least 7 years of its life. According to experts, the most long life in cute lap dogs, poodles and chihuahuas.
If you want to come home and get rid of all the negativity and stress, and also get a lot of positive things, then cats are your animal. Scientists say that these tailed animals have the most developed need for communication. It has been proven that simply stroking a cat normalizes blood pressure and pulse. It even has special term- felinotherapy.
In addition to feeding, cats need toilet procedures, but no walking. You should not skimp on toilet filler; it must absorb odors well, otherwise the cat will choose latrine any other items like slippers and shoes.
Murki and Barsiki live up to 12-14 years. Don't forget to vaccinate and sterilize your cats, and they will delight you for many years.
Absolutely comfortable and not causing any allergies or damage to the interior - fish. They are beautiful, and the aquarium itself will give the house an atmosphere of comfort and peace. Not everyone knows that these aquatic inhabitants can be trained by responding to feeding signals.
Care consists of regular feeding and cleaning the glass container. Cleaning the container is not the easiest thing, but it does not need to be done too often. Aquarium fish They definitely won’t chew the wallpaper, tear the pillows and curtains, or leave puddles. Some copies are quite expensive. In addition, their maintenance requires accessories such as compressors, a heater, etc., but all the costs exceed the pleasure of their peaceful water dances.
Also, various exotic animals that you can imagine have come into fashion: domestic frogs, crayfish, shrimp, lizards, etc. They, like fish, will not create unnecessary noise and fuss, maintaining curtains, sofas and wallpaper.
Small fluffy hamsters also do not require special conditions, they are cute and easy to eat from your hands. Their requirements are food and change of bedding, timely filling of the drinking bowl, feeders, cleaning of the wheel and shelves for entertainment. Hamsters will not cause much damage, and their life expectancy is up to two years. However, families with small children are better off not having them.
If your choice fell on birds, then parrots are colorful, light-hearted and incredibly sociable. It is worth noting that males are considered to speak, but this does not apply to all species of parrots. All that is needed from you is to feed and water on time, clean the cage and change toys. If you intend to let them fly freely around the house, then the beaks of these charming creatures may end up with wallpaper, books or indoor plants.
A turtle in the house will not provide opportunities active games with a pet. It is rather a phlegmatic and meditative creature. It is enough to feed them on time, clean their cages or terrarium, and take care of their paws and claws.
Iguanas also came into fashion. Having special harnesses, you can even walk them in the yard. They cannot be trained, but are quite sociable and attached to their owners. Provide her with a comfortable terrarium, and no special problems will not arise. Of course, the “mini-dragon” is capable of encroaching on indoor flower, but this is not the biggest problem.
What kind of pet is better to have in an apartment?
Living conditions are of the utmost importance when it comes to finding a pet friend, because in small apartments it is not always possible to comfortably keep large animals (for example, large dogs).
A four-legged friend in the apartment, understanding the owner perfectly and fully directing his energy to him, will give a lot of pleasure.
What do dog lovers need to be prepared for? The need to walk your pet every day. If you want to teach your pet any skills, be prepared for some serious training with him. You will also have to buy food, toys, do the necessary vaccinations and other procedures. Also, despite the fact that dogs in an apartment do not need a cage or enclosure, the dog should still have its own place with a bed and a place to play.
No less comfort will be required if there is a cat in the house. They are affectionate and with their rumbling help with depression, treat neuroses and heart disorders. If you want to give your cat the opportunity to walk in the yard, she does not need your presence nearby, just open the door.
Change the contents of the tray on time and no problems domestic cat will not cause. Sterilizing the animal will help avoid such problems as marked corners of the apartment. High-quality toys will help you avoid chewed, scratched and torn things. Your cat will be happy to play with the scratching post and will leave the interior of the apartment alone.
Hamsters, mice, rats and other rodents outside the cage can also leave traces as waste products and chew on whatever they like. They tend to sometimes stock up on food in the most unexpected places. To prevent the presence of a rodent in the house unpleasant odors, you just need to clean their cage in time.
If you decide to place birds in your house, you will need to monitor their food and water, and clean their cage. To prevent canaries and parrots from waking you up in the morning, simply cover the cage with a dark cloth.
An aquarium in an apartment has a special aesthetics. This is a stylish interior element. The disadvantage of this choice is the lack of tactile contact.
What kind of pet should I get for my child?
Families with children need to be especially careful when choosing a pet. Often parents buy pets to become wards for their child. In this way, you can teach your baby care and responsibility. Parents need to understand that for a child a pet is not only entertainment, but also a creature that will teach him to empathize. Moreover, taking care of the animal will increase the child’s self-esteem and give an understanding of the importance of his participation in the life of the animal.
An animal will help avoid stress not only in adults, but also in children. The purring “kotofey”, playful Sharik, and calming fish will relieve the baby’s fatigue after school stress.
The most popular among children are a variety of furry animals, such as cats, dogs and hamsters. But not everyone can afford large dogs or playful and wayward cats, and in case of allergies they even arise with this serious problems. Such families can please their baby with fish or a parrot. However, the fact that they are difficult to stroke and caress is certainly a minus for a child who wants to “communicate” with a small pet. It will be better if an active baby can establish tactile contact with the pet.
If the children specifically want a parrot, explain to them that not all parrots talk. Tell more information about songbirds - it will delight any child.
excitable hyperactive child It's better to have fish. Their smooth movement around the aquarium will have a beneficial effect on them. In addition, this is a real home relaxation.
You should definitely discuss the issue of caring for the animal, feeding, walking and cleaning. This shouldn't cause any problems! Explain to your child that the animal is not kept for a couple of months. The baby must understand that after a period of enthusiasm, caring for the little animal will be a normal daily activity.
Involve children in creating and arranging a house, toys and other necessary accessories for pets. This will be a real exciting adventure! Do not doubt, the child will be proud of his contribution to the life of the little family ward.
When choosing an animal for a child, carefully study all the pitfalls, living conditions and possible allergic reactions.
