what small animal for a 7 year old?
Discussion
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
Degus. Live up to 9 years, don't need much attention (weekly clean out 20 minutes) Put them in to a parrot cage with split levels. Lock their wheels at night and you'll not have any nocturnal noise either.
I like these but I think they are very social creatures so should be bought as a pair? As a kid I had Gerbils (plus family cats and dogs) and looking back they, like all the rodent pets were a bit pointless. Kid drops in some sunflower seeds, the odd piece of fresh veg, clean the sawdust maybe once a week (or month) and that is it. They take little maintenance so they don't really teach responsibility.
I've don't feel Mice, Hamster, Guinea pigs or even Rabbits make good pets, they are prey animals, they probably spend their time petrified or locked up in a cage/tank. They are also a bit boring for the kids aside from feeding, watch them and maybe petting the larger ones.
Gerbils definitely bite, usually when you are trying to get them out to clean their tank.
I always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
I've don't feel Mice, Hamster, Guinea pigs or even Rabbits make good pets, they are prey animals, they probably spend their time petrified or locked up in a cage/tank. They are also a bit boring for the kids aside from feeding, watch them and maybe petting the larger ones.
Gerbils definitely bite, usually when you are trying to get them out to clean their tank.
I always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Wednesday 17th January 08:34
4x4Tyke said:
As a kid I had Gerbils (plus family cats and dogs) and looking back they, like all the rodent pets were a bit pointless. Kid drop in some sunflower seeds and the odd piece of fresh veg and that is it. Clean out the sawdust once a week. They take little maintenance they don't really teach responsibility. I've don't feel Mice, Hamster, Guinea pigs or even Rabbits make good pets, they are prey animals, they probably spend their time petrified or locked up in a cage/tank. They are also a bit boring for the kids a aside from feeding and watch them, pet the larger ones.
I always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
Agreed, you need something engaging...the rat is the most out of the rodents but if you have space and time a ferret would be good but you need to know what you are doingI always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
wormus said:
Fermit The Krog and Sexy Sarah said:
Degus. Live up to 9 years, don't need much attention (weekly clean out 20 minutes) Put them in to a parrot cage with split levels. Lock their wheels at night and you'll not have any nocturnal noise either.
I like these but I think they are very social creatures so should be bought as a pair? 
4x4Tyke said:
As a kid I had Gerbils (plus family cats and dogs) and looking back they, like all the rodent pets were a bit pointless. Kid drops in some sunflower seeds, the odd piece of fresh veg, clean the sawdust maybe once a week (or month) and that is it. They take little maintenance so they don't really teach responsibility.
I've don't feel Mice, Hamster, Guinea pigs or even Rabbits make good pets, they are prey animals, they probably spend their time petrified or locked up in a cage/tank. They are also a bit boring for the kids aside from feeding, watch them and maybe petting the larger ones.
Gerbils definitely bite, usually when you are trying to get them out to clean their tank.
I always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
I've don't feel Mice, Hamster, Guinea pigs or even Rabbits make good pets, they are prey animals, they probably spend their time petrified or locked up in a cage/tank. They are also a bit boring for the kids aside from feeding, watch them and maybe petting the larger ones.
Gerbils definitely bite, usually when you are trying to get them out to clean their tank.
I always wanted a Ferret or Mink, they are smart, playful and engaging.
Edited by 4x4Tyke on Wednesday 17th January 08:34
Agree with some of the Gerbil points that they are easy to look after and keep themselves busy, but that's what makes them good with small kids, who get bored with anything within a couple of days and parents end up having a look after the things.
We have had a male pair for a year now and I reckon they are pretty cool, they are interested in us, are often awake in the daytime, will come and say hello (unlike hamsters for instance), and pretty clean, easy to feed and water. They enjoy vegetable peelings so you can feed them when you are having carrots, cabbage etc. You can leave them with enough water and food for several days without them dieing (on top of their food normal tray, we scatter some into their bedding for them to root around for which keeps them busy and fed).
They've not bitten us except when our smallest boy was a bit rough with one of them.
I think part of the appeal is we have a good smart looking and practical two level cage that looks like a cabinet and blends in with the kitchen (an eglu Qute - picked a mint one one up for £35 on ebay). I'd say because they rustle about and use their wheel in the middle of the night they're not good for a bedroom.
Edited by prand on Wednesday 17th January 16:56
Out of all the small furry animals, I'd opt for rats. I've probably had about 15 rats, all female....smell less than the males. Despite the fact that they'll hide from you for a couple of weeks, they'll suddenly get a bit brave and before you know it, they want to be carried about. I did have one that at a couple of weeks old when I got her, just loved to climb over you.
The downside of rats of that they have lots of health issues and you'll be lucky if any die of old age. They get a bit snuffly and sneezy, get respiratory issues and die (Pasturella bacteria). Well, that or tumours.
Anyhow, health issues aside, Rats are lovely little things and having had about 15 of them, I've never been bitten. I'd choose them over any other rodent.
The downside of rats of that they have lots of health issues and you'll be lucky if any die of old age. They get a bit snuffly and sneezy, get respiratory issues and die (Pasturella bacteria). Well, that or tumours.
Anyhow, health issues aside, Rats are lovely little things and having had about 15 of them, I've never been bitten. I'd choose them over any other rodent.
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