IN THIS POST:
– Dog
– Cat
– Turtle
– Fish
– Hamster
– Rabbits
– Birds
Most children love animals and families in Pakistan are often searching for low maintenance pets for kids. Having pets teaches a lesson in responsibility at a relatively young age and develops a child’s social skills and feelings of empathy. While there are several small pets that are easy to take care of, we’re compiling some of the best pets for kids in Pakistan so you can welcome a furry friend into your family with your young ones.
Best Pets for Kids in Pakistan
Teach valuable life lessons to your kids by bringing one of these small and low maintenance pets home:
- Dog
- Cat
- Turtle
- Fish
- Hamster
- Rabbits
- Birds
Now, let’s discuss the best pets to keep at home in Pakistan below in detail.
Dog
Dogs make the best pets for kids under 10, primarily because most breeds are tough enough to be handled by a kid without getting injured. Moreover, dogs live around a decade on average, so you do not have to fear their passing away after you kid’s gotten really attached to them. With their undying loyalty, dogs can be the perfect companions for kids once they are trained. Opt for Labradors, golden retrievers, beagles, or boxers, if you really want a kid-friendly pet.
Unfortunately, dogs are fairly high-maintenance if you do not choose the right canine breed. Moreover, training dogs can be troublesome at times, and parents will need to take a big part in taking care of them if the puppies are fragile or untrained. Many people might also avoid having a dog as a pet in Pakistan because of their religious beliefs, but you don’t have to fret! There are several other small pets for kids on our list that make good alternatives.
Cat
Want a furry and cuddly pet? Cats make the best pets for your kids if you can’t own a dog. Similar to most dog breeds, they are resilient when it comes to injuries, and will be great companions for your kids while they sleep, read, or study, as cats love cuddling. Felines are pretty low maintenance, live long lives, and quite playful in their younger years. Cats also do not require regular walks or baths, which is a plus if your kid is taking care of the pet independently.
However, some cats might prefer more solitude than what your child is willing to offer, making them a bit boring as a pet. Moreover, scratching posts, toys, and a litter box are essentials for every cat owner, taking up plenty of space in a small home.
Turtle
We’ve discussed two good pets for kids above, but what if you need a pet that doesn’t need too much space to roam about and can be kept comfortable in a comparatively smaller area? Well, the first choice when you are considering low maintenance pets for kids is a turtle. Peaceful, calm, quiet, and easy to maintain, turtles make great pets. All you need is a tub large enough to hold them, and if you take care of them well, they live really long lives.
However, you will need to ensure that your home is warm and comfortable in terms of temperature and maybe spread a layer of sand in the tub before placing the turtles in it. Also, keeping turtles indoors can make the space stink a little, so you’ll to clean out the tub regularly.
Fish
Fish can be the best pets for toddlers, and they also rank high on the list of small pets that are easy to take care of because they require very little upkeep. Your children will not have to keep the fish entertained, and most species can be kept in a bowl or a small tank without taking up much space. Betta fish, barb fish, zebrafish, and angelfish make great pets for beginners.
While fish will survive in small spaces, it is best to provide a tank that is large enough for them to swim freely, especially if you have more than one fish in the same tank or bowl. You will also need to set up temperature controls, oxygen tanks, and aquarium décor to keep your fish happy and healthy. Moreover, cleaning the tank can be a fair bit of work, as you’ll need to transfer the fish to a bucket of water or small plastic bags of water to keep them alive before you clean the aquarium.
Hamster
One of the best pets to own that is also cute and playful, a hamster is a small rodent that makes a great first pet for a kid old enough to regularly take care of a pet on their own. Hamsters generally live in cages, so you don’t need a lot of room, and as long as they have food, water, and a small wheel for regular exercise, your hamster will be pretty happy.
It is important to note that hamsters are nocturnal and might keep you up at night. They might also bite on occasion if they are mishandled, and the cage can stink really quickly if your kid forgets to clean up after their pet. Most hamsters will also survive only up to three years, so if you think your child might get too attached to a pet, this might not be the best option.
Rabbits
Cute, cuddly, and fun, rabbits are one of the best small pets for kids. They can be kept in a cage, and will never grow too big to be carried around the house when your kid wants company. Rabbits can be litter-trained, live more than a decade, and are great pets for beginners.
However, rabbits are social creatures and require attention from their owners, especially if you only own one rabbit. Most will also not enjoy being held full time and will prefer being left free to roam around the room if they are outside their cage. Rabbits are also quite messy as pets, with a strong stink, and can breed rapidly if you have a male and female pair.
Birds
Certain breeds of birds also join the list of small and low maintenance pets, particularly because birds do not need to be trained and can be kept quite happy in a cage. Most birds also have their unique personalities and can keep your kids entertained by being a good talking companion that will help them develop their social skills. Parakeets, parrots, canaries, budgies, lovebirds, and pigeons are good pets for kids if you’re looking for a bird.
It’s important to choose the right type of bird as your child’s first pet because some varieties require more care and maintenance than others. Birds will also require daily attention to remain chatty and lively. Make sure to cover the bird’s cage at night if you don’t want to wake up to their chirping at dawn. Moreover, clean the cage regularly and carefully, as your bird might fly away if its feathers have not been clipped in a long time.
These are some of the best pets for kids that are also comparatively low maintenance and will be an amazing addition to your family. However, make sure you or your kids are taking good care of your pets, and try to get your kids to engage with them as much as possible. Doing so will make them more responsible, social, and caring towards other human beings and living things. Here are some ways to make your home pet-friendly as well.
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