Get a Small Pet for the Kids

Some people ask what would be a good pet animal for our kids, answering that seems not that difficult. But it becomes more difficult if dogs or cats are not a option.

Then we the obvious rodents like the Guinea pigs, or cavias, which is their proper name, which are furry little rodents that do not have the ability to climb or jump. They're vegetarians with generally sweet personalities. Guinea pigs rarely bite and usually love to be held and petted. A guinea pig readily learns to squeak for food when it hears the refrigerator door or a produce bag, and its movements during the day can be entertaining to other pets.

Friends of us hold guinea pigs in there bird enclosure, the birds seem to enjoy the company of the guinea pigs. It is also more hygienic, as the guinea pigs eat the seeds and vegetables dropped by the birds.

As with any animal you acquire, do your homework so that your guinea pig receives adequate care. Like people, guinea pigs do not manufacture or store vitamin C, so they need to eat a source of vitamin C daily, supplied by foods such as green pepper, orange or broccoli. They are burrowing animals and appreciate a place to hide and a wooden structure to gnaw on to keep their perpetually growing teeth ground down. Guinea pigs come in a variety of colors and hair styles.

Another option are rabbits. There's a great deal of information about rabbits available from sources like the internet. Rabbits can be litter-trained and can have the run of a rabbit-proofed home.

Rabbits should eat a staple diet of timothy hay, find out whether you or the kids are allergic to hay before getting a rabbit, supplemented with high-fiber, low-protein pellets, and minimal amounts of greens and vegetables. Check with your veterinarian to find the best food for your rabbit. If you buy a rabbit from places like Chatuchak weekend market is is recommended that you check the rabbits health with your veterinarian.

As with guinea pigs, the enjoyment your other pets, like birds, get from rabbit will not be from direct interaction, but from observation of the rabbit kept within sight. Rabbits come in a variety of breeds that vary in size from Dwarf to Giant. There are also many coat lengths and breeds with ears that stand up or lop over. Do your homework before adopting a rabbit.

Both Guinea pigs and Rabbits are probably not the best pets to get if you have dogs or cats. Dogs or cats have the natural instinct to hunt.