Best Pets for Children

While working with families during and after the Black Saturday Bushfires, I was blessed to see the true benefits pets can bring to a child’s life. So many people, mostly us grown-ups were telling the kids how they should be feeling, what they should be doing to cope and more. The truth was what they needed was someone to listen, not have an opinion, not offer advice, just plain old listen. That task fell to their pets, providing counsel, a cuddle and an ear, even if they didn’t understand what was being said, at least their pets were listening. Those animals came in all shapes and sizes, feathered and furred. All kids need someone to talk to at some time and my best 5 pet recommendations are as follows.

Guinea Pigs are just little bundles of cuteness and are great pets for those with limited space. They can be housed indoors or outdoors in a suitable cage and prefer to be housed in small groups as they are very social animals. They require a complete diet in the form of pellets and plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Children should be seated when handling Guinea Pigs to avoid dropping them, otherwise they are a fairly robust pet.

Rabbits are a great size, live for 10-12 years and are able to be toilet trained. They can be housed indoors and outside in a suitable cage, although will need to watch timber furniture and the electrical wiring if allowed access to the house. Bunnies should be housed inside in the warmer months as they are prone to heat stress and diseases spread by mosquitos. Rabbits should be vaccinated and desexed. Female bunnies can get especially territorial if not desexed. A balanced diet of rabbit pellets, fresh fruit and veg, and items for chewing, like pine cones and branches from fruit trees to help with dental health. You are not able to own pet rabbits if you live in Queensland.

Chickens make great pets, coming in all sorts of fancy colours and breeds. From Silkys and Bantams in small yards up to larger Arcana hens with their cool blue eggs. If handled from a young age they can be very affectionate and the added benefit eggs for the kitchen and bug control in the garden you are on a winner all round. Chickens will live up to 10-12 years and really do make great pets, although you might want to stick to hens unless you have several acres and understanding neighbours. Most councils will allow 2 hens without a permit.

Cats tend to own us I think, some love a cuddle however others can be very independent. Being a clean animal and able to be toilet trained makes them a great house pet. Cats need vaccinating as kittens and then annually and should be desexed. I prefer to keep my cats indoors, not only to protect local wildlife but also to prevent them from contracting diseases like Feline AIDs from stray and feral cats. Long hair breeds will need regular grooming, and dental care with a balanced diet for overall health are important. My favourite breeds are the Burmese – very dog like, and the Devon Rex – great personality and no hair shedding = BONUS

“Dogs are Man’s best friend” and there is nothing like sitting in the backyard having a cuddle and telling your dog all you problems like I used to do with my Labrador Kim as a child. She suffered through many fancy dress outfits, nail painting sessions and swimming lessons in the pool. She went everywhere with us, even fishing in a little dingy out on the bay. Before buying a dog though consideration needs to be given to a breed that suits that age and activity level of the child and time availability of the family. Consider the size of the dog, the temperament of the breed, the exercise needed, grooming requirements, the space you have available and whether the dog is inside, outside or both. Vaccinations as a puppy, then annually, regular worming, flea control, heartworm prevention and a good diet are essential. Training from the puppy stage with a registered and accredited trainer is a must, after all if you put in the hard yards as a puppy you are going to have a great dog for life.

Dr Karen Davies is a Veterinarian in general practice at Direct Vet Services, in Point Cook, Melbourne. Along with her fiancé Brett and her children Daniel and Nathan, she lives with a tribe of Bulldogs, and her Devon Rex cat Piper. You can contact Dr Karen at [email protected] or visit the web site www.directvetservices.com.au