Good pet for a 6 year old girl

Ok, so two years ago my daughter wanted a rabbit really bad. We talked her into fish, explaining about being responsible for another life. In the two years since she has been very diligent in taking care of the fish. She feeds, cleans and changes the water by herself. We thought since she has shown responsibity that we would allow her to get a new pet now. However a rabbit is just to big and messy so its out. What I want to know is do you think a guinea pig or a rat would be a better choice for her. I had rats as a kid and remember them as being pretty sturdy in general. My wife feels that since she is a girl the rat might not be a good choice. I do remember being biten a couple of times on the finger but it might have been because I feed the rat scraps throught the bars of the cage, so anything that went between the bars they assumed was food. I have never owned a guinea pig. Except for cuteness factor though I don't see their advantage over a rat. I am afraid it might take a few drops or the like and they don't appear to sturdy. Also hampsters, gerbils and mice don't seem to like to be handled as much and I'm sure this thing is going to hauled around. So which would you pick? Thanks.

 

chinchilas are the cuddliest critters alive, theyre easy to care for, and freindly, they generaly dont mind being handled, only disadvantages are, theyre very fast and maybe hard to catch if let to run free, & they also might try chewing wires (like most rodents) also they must be kept dry (they clean themselves in a dust bath)
as for the cuteness factor theres nothing cuter or more cuddly

 

Yea we thought about a chinchila but man them things are expensive. I may take her to the pet store and let her handle some stuff and see what she likes.

 

parakeet?

 

I think a dwarf style bunny would be a lot less of a hassle and easier for a kid than a chilla. There's also the good ole fashioned guinea pig.

 

I had a (half dwarf) rabbit and I loved that little guy more than most people love family. But I was a lot older and he was a handful. Honestly, I wouldn't recommend one for a 6 year old if she's going to be it's caregiver. Mainly because they're incredibly sensitive (they have curved spines and have to be picked up correctly and not dropped, even if they kick (which they might because they are strong)), they have to be trained to use a litterbox and even then they might still leave gifts on your floor (albeit small, dry, vegetarian gifts, which is better than big animals), they're docile creatures but they can nip, they need all the right food and nutrition (alfalfa can get expensive and some plants can be fatal)...


Why not a cat? Cats are so independant and she could get a kitten so it's small and she could grow with it. They're cute and sweet, they bathe themselves (unless they need a flea bath or something, but there are drops for that), they actually want to do their business in private and bury it afterwards so litterbox training shouldn't be hard if it's an indoor cat (mine aren't), their food is readily available, and there are many of them in need of adoption.

 

I use to watch a little girl, about the same age as your girl, who absolutely adores her rat. It's really rather gentle and loves people. Of course, they aren't for everybody. I loved having my birds as a child. Personally, I think you should get her a dog Farrets are pretty cool too...

 

My daughter had a couple of white rats for pets when she was young. They were excellent pets, very friendly and easily handled. The only problem is that they only have a lifespan of about 2 years, so you don't get to have them a long time.

 

I had rats when I was little. They were lovley pets. And as long as they get enough attention they usually don't bite. I would suggest females though with rats. I've always had better luck. And I never had to worry about them running away either because they were so damn smart, they came when they were called and everything...

 

I would recommend a cat or a small dog. I dont think a rat or a hamster or a ferret is the right choice for a young girl. I am a dog lover myself. I have never been without at least one dog for my entire 42 years of existence. I also think that a dog will express more love back to the child than any other animal.

 

I think a guinea pig(s) would be a bit much for a 6 year to care for on her own. They poop and pee like crazy and are very very hard to litter train. I have 2, and I have to give them baths sometimes because they like to lay in their pee. They also need tons of room to run around in, and aren't as smart as rats.
They are very very cute and make cute noises though

 

I dont' think a chinchilla would be good for a 6 year old. Some of them like to be handled, but like soaringeagle said, they're quick if they get away. Also you really have to hold them just right or else you might hurt their ribs or they could lose fur. I guess it would have to depend on the chinchilla or animal in general.

I'd say go for a kitten, as long as they're not harassed (sounds like your little girl wouldn't do that) they're very loving pets but are also very self sufficent.

I have a fish (Oscar the Oscar), two cats (Isis and Mr. Kittems), and a chinchilla (Chiroo) and out of all of them I'd recommend a cat for a young child, no matter how responsible they may be.

 

I should have stated that we already have three cats and three pugs. Both her and her sister help with taking care of them. She is just set on something to call all her own. My wife is definately not going to be down for added another dog or cat. Thanks for your replys. I took her to the pet store this weekend and she loved the rats. She was quite disappointed when she couldn't take the one home she was playing with. I think that is the way we will go. Her birthday is next weekend so running out of time. She loved the chinchilas to but after I looked up some information I found that they live for 15-20 years. That is too much commitment to get into at this point. I still want to avoid the rabbits all together. I am afraid they could be dropped.

 

Yeah I forgot to mention chinchillas life span. Sounds like she likes the rat thing. I'd go with that. Good luck.

 

i think you should get her a cupple of female rats...
i suggest you go to a breeder to get them though
that way they are use to being handled from a very yung age and they wont mind curling up to sleep in a pocket or up a sleve
i've kept both male and female rats
the female ones are more active and friendlyer than the males
besides with the male ones you can see there balls under the tail when they moving about
and they are more likeley to spray on her than the female ones are
mine would come to me when i called themm
and i would hide food for them in different places and they would find every single bit!! pritty smart if you ask me
so to some up
i would highly reccomend rats for her

 

a pair of rats would be good as they are social creatures and enjoy the company of other rats. Also, before going to a breeder or buying from a store, check petfinder.com for ratties that are in need of a good home. Just like dogs and cats there are rats (not as many I'm sure) who are in need of adoption.....I've seen lots.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check out petfinder.

 

I actually heard that male rats are better then female rats. Especially fixed male rats. females tend to be nervous and hyper where males are more likely to curl upon your lap and chill.

We have a male rat. He rocks.

 

It is true that cats aren't really the 'toting around' type and need their space but maybe there is no 'perfect' pet for a little girl.

 

I always experienced the exact opposite with rats. Male hamsters I've had more luck with then females. But peronsally my female rats were nicer pets.