Vet shares three good pets for kids... and three that are not so good
Having a pet is a big responsibility for a kid. But when you're that young, you really have no concept of how to handle a living animal.
It isn't until around the 8-10 year age mark that kids start to understand the responsibility of caring for a pet of their own.
That's why, when choosing a pet for your child, there are some that are suitable and others that you should be more cautious about.
READ MORE: Top five tips to help reduce your furry friend's shedding
Not all pets are a good choice for kids. Getty
Here's three pets that are good for kids, and three you should reconsider.
Good for kids
1. Fish
Fish are probably the best choice for a pet as they don't require too much care.
Your kids can be involved in naming them and feeding them, which teaches them the responsibility of caring for a living thing.
But parents, keep in mind that you'll have to be in charge of cleaning the tank.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is getting those horrible goldfish bowls. The fish tend to die as they do not have enough surface area to oxygen ratio.
Fish are low-maintenance pets. Getty Images/iStockphoto
READ MORE: Vet warning as summer of snake bites continues
2. Pet rats
This is a more outgoing option for a pet. But don't think of the kind of rat that you find in the rubbish. Pet rats have been domesticated over the years.
They make for a friendly and playful companion for kids, and are much more engaging than mice who tend to get scared easily.
They have a short lifespan of about three years, but you will need to get two as they are very social animals and will otherwise become lonely.
Once again, these pets have specific care which will fall on to the adults.
They can be a bit active at night, so as long as you don't mind that they make a bit of noise.
READ MORE: Mr Bigglesworth, famous hairless rabbit, dies aged six
3. Guinea pigs
Great for older kids! These small, furry pets are gentle animals that can live for up to seven years.
They're incredibly social so you'll need at least two.
It's important to know that they do injure easily and have dietary requirements that need specific housing.
Guinea pigs make for sociable pets. Getty
READ MORE: AFL star 'heartbroken' after dog dies in 'freak accident'
Pets that aren't good for kids
Sadly, these pets are are often tortured and have a miserable life with kids.
1. Mice
These meek animals are usually very terrified of humans.
They will tend to hide from you, so the last thing they want is a child picking them up.
2. Birds
In order for birds to be happy, they need time out of a cage.
Kids often aren't great around them. They don't have a general understanding of how to handle birds.
Children will tend to let them escape or squeeze too tightly when holding them. This can go very wrong very easily.
READ MORE: Six things you should know about Chihuahuas
3. Rabbits
Because they're prey animals, rabbits are very easily scared. This means they don't actually like being picked up off the ground.
While you can find rabbits that have been hand raised to be social, the general rule is that having children handling them is quite terrifying.
Rabbits can be easily scared by kids. Getty Images/iStockphoto
READ MORE: How dogs and cats sound around the world
Not to mention, they are easily spooked by loud noises. This might be less of an issue for children over the age of 10 who can understand the rabbit behaviour better and learn to be quiet and gentle around the animal.