How to Choose a Small Pet for a Child

Small pets like hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs are easy to find, and so cute that you might be tempted to make an impulse purchase. But they are more different from one another than you might expect. Here's what you should think about before you go to the pet store.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide where you're going to keep your pet. If it's in the child's room, you may want to make sure you get a pet that's active during the day, like a guinea pig, rather than one that's nocturnal, like a gerbil, which may make noise at night.
2. Consider how much a pet's odor is going to bother you. For example, guinea pigs urinate more than gerbils, so their cage may be smellier between cleanings. With most rodents, males are smellier than females, but the pet story staff might not be able to tell the sexes apart, especially with young animals.
3. Do some research about care in advance. What the pet store wants to sell you is what it keeps in stock. For example, experts say that guinea pigs need larger cages than most pet stores sell. And some food sold for them contains nuts and seeds, which they should not eat.
4. Be aware that these pets do have different behavior and personalities. Rats are considered the most intelligent rodents. Hamsters are nippier than gerbils. And smaller animals must be handled more carefully by your child.
5. Consider lifespan. Your child may be excited about the animal now, but what happens if she loses interest? A rat or gerbil only lives about four years, but a guinea pig can live to be over ten. Do you still want to be caring for the animal after your child leaves for college?

Tips & Warnings

• You don't have to get your small pet from a pet store: many animal shelters have them, as well as private rescue groups. Private rescues are experts in these types of animals and can give you better care advice. Find a group near you at Petfinder.com
• As the adult, be prepared to have primary responsibility for the pet. Your child can help, and it will be an educational experience. But for the welfare of the animal, you can't leave a small child entirely in charge.