Which Small Mammals Make Good Pets for Younger Children?
Pets can be a wonderful addition to a child’s life, teaching them responsibility and compassion. However, some pets are better suited to young children than others. When considering a small mammal as a pet for a younger child, there are several factors to take into account.
Size and Handling
Small mammals range greatly in size, from tiny mice to larger guinea pigs. The smallest mammals, like mice, can be more difficult for young children to handle. Very young children may end up handling a small pet too roughly without meaning to, potentially hurting both the pet and child. Larger small mammals, like guinea pigs and rabbits, are easier for children to hold and interact with safely.
Activity Level
Some small mammals are extremely active and energetic, like hamsters that love to constantly run on their wheel at night. This can make them stressful pets for younger kids who want to play with and cuddle their pet frequently. More easy-going mammals like guinea pigs tend to be calmer and enjoy being held. An active hamster may lead to nipped fingers!
Lifespan
Many rodent pets like hamsters and mice have short life spans of 2-3 years. For a young child, losing their beloved pet so soon can be difficult to process emotionally. Rabbits and guinea pigs live longer at around 5-7 years, which may be better for bonding long-term with a child.
Grooming and Care
Furrier creatures like guinea pigs and rabbits require much more hands-on grooming and care like brushing, nail trimming, and cage cleaning. Simple pets like rats are lower maintenance for younger kids. Supervision is still needed, but day-to-day care is easier for children to manage independently.
Ideal “Starter” Small Pets
Here are some of the best small mammal pets for younger children:
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are very gentle, social creatures that rarely bite or scratch. They enjoy being held and petted as long as the child is calm and gentle too. Their larger size makes them easy to handle for kids. Guinea pigs are active at times but also happy to curl up in a lap for cuddles. They vocalise with cute squeaks and purrs to communicate contentment. Regular brushing and nail trimming are needed, but guinea pigs are fairly clean pets. Their 5-7 year lifespan allows plenty of time for bonding if you are fostering in the UK long-term.
Rats
Though they have a reputation as sewer pests, pet rats are clean, smart, and social. They bond strongly with their owners and love to play, climb, and explore. Their size is manageable for most kids to handle. Grooming needs are minimal. With proper care, rats live around 2-3 years. Some downsides are that male rats have a strong odour, and they do require more frequent cage cleaning than other rodents. Also, their short lifespan means losing a beloved pet sooner. Still, with supervision, rats can make excellent kid-friendly pets.
Rabbits
When neutered and handled from a young age, rabbits become very docile and enjoy playing and cuddling. They are fairly sturdy for handling by older children. Rabbits do require daily brushing and regular nail trimming along with cage cleaning. Watching for signs of illness is also important, as rabbits are prey animals that hide sickness well. With proper care and an average lifespan of 5-7 years, rabbits can be ideal kid pets. Just be sure younger kids are supervised and taught gentle handling. Rabbits frighten easily.
With the right pet matched to their abilities, owning a small mammal can be very rewarding for a younger child.