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8 Unique Family-Friendly Pets You Should Consider

When you’re raising your family, you want to get them a pet they can enjoy and be a part of the family.

Find out eight unique ideas for family-friendly pets.

Having a pet in the family is one of the most extraordinary and most rewarding experiences in life.

But it’s also a huge decision because it means a lifestyle change.

Before you take the leap on adding a new addition to your family, take a look at some of these picks.

We’ve covered a few family-friendly pets to give you an idea and a few basics.

little girl holding rabbit

1. Dogs

Dogs made it at the top of the list because many people are crazy about them. That’s for a reason.

Dogs are incredible once you understand them, and they make terrific friends.

Before you get a dog, you need to consider a few things to make sure you get the best one for you.

One of them is the dog breed type. Some breeds will need more grooming than others, significantly increasing their maintenance cost.

You’ll also have to know how much exercise your dog will need to see if you’ve got enough time to walk them.

Although it seems too much work, dogs are worth all the trouble.

2. Cats

These fluffy, tiny critters are among the best small pets for cuddling.

They also require commitment, but they’re not as demanding as dogs.

Depending on your environment’s nature, you can opt to keep your cat indoors or let them roam.

If you go for the last option, be sure to install a cat flap on them.

Also, make sure your cat is microchipped, fully vaccinated, and knows where you stay.

It’s essential to keep an eye on them if your cat is young or if you have just moved to a new neighborhood.

If you decide to make your cat an indoor cat, then a small litter bin, a safe place to sleep, and lots of affection are all you’ll need.

3. Rabbits

Rabbits are among the best pets for beginners.

They’re very gentle, which makes them excellent pets for kids.

They also don’t always have to roam the house, so there’s less cleaning to do.

Rabbits are curious and intelligent.

Some of the things that rabbits need daily include grooming, cleaning, exercising, feeding, and playing.

You can try checking out the best sugar gliders toys and other objects to add to the play routine.

Both indoor and outdoor rabbits are very friendly, so if you get one, you’ll have to put aside enough time to interact with them.

For this reason, it’s advisable to keep rabbits in pairs.

Besides the need to engage, rabbits are great starter pets, as they can be left alone.

4. Guinea Pigs

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, friendly pet for your kids, then a guinea pig is your best option.

Like rabbits, it’s recommended that you keep them in pairs, as they love to interact.

If your couple is the opposite sex, be sure to have the male neutered─ otherwise, you’ll end up with a whole community of guinea pigs.

All guinea pigs need is a cozy habitat with excellent beddings, food, and reasonable playtime.

The guinea pigs can live for up to eight years, so make sure you’re committed before you get your pair.

5. Lizards

Lizards are among the best family-friendly pets when introducing kids to different types of animals at a young age.

First, you’ll need to know the type of lizard you can handle (different lizards have different needs).

One of the best lizards to start with is the leopard gecko, as it doesn’t require UV lighting.

You can also go for iguanas, chameleons, or dragons.

The primary responsibility of a lizard parent is to provide them with the right light and heat in their environment, which varies from time to time.

You’ll also need to feed them with live prey insects. If you can do that, then you’ll have one happy lizard.

6. Hamsters

This is another excellent pet for people caring for a pet for the first time.

They’re cute, tiny, and effortless to care for. Since they live for around two years, they can serve as a great way of introducing pets to your kids.

There are many hamster breeds, so the best thing to do is get advice from a licensed expert to know precisely which one might work best for your family.

Some breeds prefer to live alone, while others are very friendly.

Besides plenty of nesting materials, hamsters only require food.

It’s important to note that they’re very delicate and need to be handled with extreme care.

Also, keep in mind they’re nocturnal, so that you might be on different sleep schedules.

7. Birds

Birds are pretty and delightful creatures.

Birds vary in many ways, so you’ve got to do plenty of options depending on your personality and family needs.

You don’t want to take home a bird that’s too loud, too big, or needs so much attention.

It’s crucial to remember that some birds like macaws are long-term family pets, as they can live for up to 60 years!

Consider taking a look at canaries or budgies and smaller parrot breeds.

Just be sure you do thorough research before taking any birds home.

8. Tortoises

Tortoise is among the family-friendly pets that are low maintenance.

The only thing you need to be vigilant about when taking care of a tortoise is its diet.

They need different types of food, emphasizing the amount of roughage in their diet, says Healthline.

Also, some breeds have more enormous appetites, which means they may need a lot of meal prepping.

Tortoise requires a lot of room, and they’re happier in an outdoor pen.

Make them comfortable by building one big enough for them to grow, as some habitats can limit their growth.

Consider These Family-Friendly Pets

Are you thinking of getting one of these family-friendly pets as a new addition to your household?

Before you decide, consider your time and energy capacity to help pick the right choice for your family.

We have plenty of family-centered discussions on the site that help make tricky decisions like this.

Check out the rest of our blog for more tips and advice.

 

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Resources:

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/

https://www.sugargliderinfo.org/pages/sugar-glider-toys

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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