14 Popular Family Pets Your Kids Want (and Why You Shouldn't Get Them)

by ParentCo. October 26, 2016

cat peeking over the edge of a table

So, your kids want to get a family pet.

Ok, cool. It could work. It totally could! It could actually be really great -- a wonderful opportunity for the little ones to learn all about responsibility, hard work, chores, and the cycle of life. It's also a wonderful opportunity for you to have yet another living creature in your house whose poop you'll have to touch. I mean, let's not delude ourselves: the kids will enthusiastically help for approximately 3.75 days before they ghost. BUT, I digress. There are so many kinds of pets you could choose! Big, small, furry, scaly, cuddly -- even definitely not cuddly, if that's what you're into. A pet for every family! To help you decide which pet to get, let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of the various options:

Goldfish

PROS: Saves space, lives in a bowl. Can be easily acquired at the county fair. CONS: Frequent dying. Always with the dying. Endless toilet bowl memorials. You'll need several back-up goldfish.

Snakes

PROS: NOPE. CONS: Snakes.

Hamsters

PROS: Provides compelling metaphor for life by running endlessly on a wheel. CONS: Nocturnal, but caged. So, watches you while you sleep.

Cats

PROS: Potential income-earner as skateboarding YouTube sensation. CONS: Toxoplasmosis. Frequent hairball-related barfing. Is kinda pissed about not being an actual lion. Would definitely eat you if it could.

Chickens

PROS: Fresh eggs. CONS: Raccoons, and the inevitable chicken apocalypse.

Dogs

PROS: More loyal and loving than your children will ever be. CONS: Will eat its own poop, but not when you need it to.

Hedgehogs

PROS: Curls up into weaponized ball. CONS: Curls up into weaponized ball.

Tarantulas

PROS: You won't have to clean anymore, because no one will come to your house ever again. CONS: Living with giant, fur-covered, deadly spiders. On purpose.

Ferrets

PROS: Not a rat. CONS: Just like a rat, except flatter.

Rabbits

PROS: Soft and cute like a cat. CONS: Not actually a cat.

Horses

PROS: A pet built to ride! CONS: Your money's gone now. Bye, money.

Geckos

PROS: Can possibly get you a great deal on car insurance. CONS: Unlikely you'll get the talking, money-saving kind.

Turtles

PROS: Overall pretty chill (except for the snapping ones, don't get that kind). CONS: Already has a house, will never really need you.

Birds

PROS: A pet with the miraculous gift of flight! And, of course, a vocalized interest in crackers. CONS: Can't fly due to pet status. Probably hates crackers.

Good luck out there, future pet owners! May your cages be spotless, your goldfish lives long, and your poop-scooping bags plentiful.


ParentCo.

Author



Also in Conversations

potty training
The Developmental Milestones That Should Actually Make You Excited

by Rebecca Lang

I record all of my kids' important milestones like walking and talking. I also keep a list of all their achievements that make my life as a mom just a little bit easier.

Continue Reading

Kid sitting on toilet, Low view on his legs hanging
Here's How to Potty Train Your Baby

by Mark Oliver

Instead of training toddlers out of a lifelong habit, the Chinese forego diapers from birth. It's a hands on approach to potty training and it works.

Continue Reading

baby sitting on potty
For Best Potty Training Results, It's Mommy Readiness That Matters

by Cheryl Maguire

Having a potty trained kid seems like a great idea. Until you consider what it means for you.

Continue Reading