Although dogs are trusty old steeds as far as the family pet game goes, there are other options too. Take a look at what the team at Petz considers the best family pets and find the one that steals the hearts of your family unit!
A roundup of the best family pets
Fish
Fish are great starter pets for kids, but simply picking any fish might be disastrous. Goldfish seem like the ideal pick, but they’re actually very difficult to raise and keep healthy. The Siamese fighting fish (Betta), are much easier to care for. Siamese fighters come from Southeast Asia and thrive in isolated environments. They only need small tanks and can live in stagnant water, which is a win-win. You don’t need any filters, no heaters, and also no chemicals, just special food. As some of the most low-maintenance family pets, we recommend fish as a starting point!
Reptiles
Cold-blooded creatures seem like a less obvious choice for kids, but some reptiles can really be amazing pets. Think along the lines of tortoises, which are known to live for 50 years or longer. The great news about having a reptile as a pet is that they’re non-allergenic.
Birds
If you’re okay with the high demands of caring for a bird, they can make ideal family pets. Some birds are super social while others are very intelligent. Regardless of whether you’ve got a Brainiac or a social butterfly, your bird will require a lot of attention on a daily basis.
Rodents
Hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and even rabbits (which are not rodents) make for stunning family pets because they’re easy to raise and super cute. Most of these animals thrive in small living spaces and taking care of them couldn’t be easier. Unless you’re considering a hamster (solitary animals), try obtaining same-sex couples to keep your pet happy. You’re going to have to handle them for at least 15 minutes a day to promote friendliness.
Dogs
Dogs are some of the most classic human companions. But there’s a lot of consideration that has to go into choosing the perfect canine family member. Some dogs simply aren’t great with kids so this is something you’ll have to research in advance. If you’re considering the idea of getting a family dog, keep in mind that it will take a great deal of time and effort to get them trained and acquainted with the idea of living with humans. Puppies need to be house-trained. When they’re grown, dogs need daily exercise and regular checkups with the vet. Although all breeds are different, some of the best dogs for families are:
- Labradors
- Golden retrievers
- Boxer terroirs
- Beagles
