BEST PETS FOR KIDS AGES 8-11

RATS

They may not be your immediate thought, but rats can be great pets for kids.

“Rats are phenomenal animals,” Hess says. “They’re generally very loving and bonded to their owners.”

A pet rat can help an older child to “understand there’s some kind of schedule to their day”, Hess says. They can add structure and responsibilities that can help children grow to be more thoughtful. For instance, they might have a morning task to feed the rat before school.

Rats are also affectionate pets that, when socialised, love interactions with their humans. They can show excitement when they sense (sight, smell and sound) their human’s presence, and some will even cuddle. But they also like to have a cage mate, so you should be prepared to have more than one.

When it comes to caring for rats, there are many activities kids can get involved with. Besides helping feed them their pellets and small pieces of veggies, kids can replenish water, clean the water bottle and spot-clean the cage.

Kids can help with the mental and physical enrichment of rats by setting up mazes for them to explore. They can also create places to hide using toilet paper tubes, which the rats can also chew on.

Mackey warns that rats tend to eat everything you give them and can easily become overweight, so you’ll have to work with your child to ensure you find the right balance between food and exercise.

Rats tend to live for only about three years, so you’ll have to be prepared to have a tough conversation with your child.

GUINEA PIGS

These animals are popular pets for kids because of their size and manageable care requirements. “They’re pretty calm. They’re adorable. They’re not high maintenance,” Hess says. Guinea pigs generally enjoy being around humans and will engage and interact with you. They’re willing to sit calmly in a child’s lap and will even vocalise their excitement when their favourite human is around. Children can actively participate in keeping the cage tidy and providing the guinea pig with fresh hay, salad and pellets. These animals tend to live for five to seven years, so they’re an option if you’re looking for a moderate commitment in terms of lifespan.