What's the best pet for your kid?

If you want to purchase a pet for your child, you need to consider things like: your kids' ages, any allergies, cost and care, family dynamics, vacations, who is responsible for its every need, and how big will it grow….

So whether you prefer feathers, fur or fins, find out below the perfect companion for any age and stage!

It is important to talk about the new baby coming home with your existing pets, and when they do arrive, introduce them to each other, and explain to the pet any new rules, like they can not longer go in the baby room.

Babies and children under at least three years are not suitable for owning their ‘own’ pet, however co-existing with the family pets or playing with other peoples pets can be lots of fun.

Mobile petting zoos are a great way to introduce your child to the animal world.

Fish: they are quiet, odourless (if bowl kept clean), allergy free and the least expensive pets to buy and feed! They are also excellent pets if your family is likely to holiday away from the home a lot. Not at all good for cuddles of course, but they will certainly entertain and keep kids busy feeding and cleaning.

Chickens or ducklings: If you have enough space, a baby chicken or duck is a nice pet, as it will teach the child how to handle the chick 'gently'. But remember when a chicken or duck grows up, they can be very noisy and can live up to 15 years.

Hamster: is a little bit more independent. It looks like a furry mouse with no tail (a guinea pig is much bigger). Hamsters are highly active, but only at night and like to be alone. They don't mind being handled but will bite if they get cross.

Turtle: it is important to remember that the cute tiny baby turtles can grow to the size of a soccer ball over their 40-year life span, so they require a lot of attention and care.

Dog or cat: your child should be able to feed, walk and groom its own pet. So a dog or a cat seems a good option to make your kid responsible of taking care of a needy pet.

Parrots: a budgie or parrot can brighten up the life of a studious teenager. Although getting them to clean their messy cages can be tricky.