Good pet for my little brother

[WolvesRawk]

My 12 year old brother's rabbit, Harmony, died a while back. We have many pets, but this rabbit was the first one he really loved. Its been about 6 months and he's finally ready for a new pet. We can't get another dog or cat, which is what he really wants, and we can't get a ferret because my dad can't stand their smell. He wants a small animal that can really interact with him. We're not sure of what to get him. Any suggestions? Does anyone know much about Chinchillas?

[CathyBogart]

I don't recommend chinchillas for most kids because they are very easily stressed animals. Most of them don't tolerate much handling, and they need a very quiet environment. Plus, the vast majority of them remain somewhat skittish throughout their very long lifetime and never seem to warm up to being handled. (I know there are exceptions, I said the majority)

I would recommend a pair of rats. You can't get much more smart, loving, and interactive in a small package than a rat.

[Danegirl2208]

I would recommend a pair of rats. You can't get much more smart, loving, and interactive in a small package than a rat.

i agree with you Cathy..rats make excellent pets, especially for children.

[Sevaede]

I would suggest rats or gerbils or even a guinea pig! All of mine have been really clean and friendly! Rats or gerbils are going to be more easily hand tamed than a guinea pig.

Ferrets smell... ?

[Misty_Pearl]

There is one drawback to rats. They don't live very long. The same with hamsters and gerbils. If the ferrets cage is kept clean and the ferret is kept with good ferret hygiene, the ferret will not smell the way everyone believes they smell. All animals have a smell of their own. My ferrets do not smell until thier cage blankies havn't been washed. However, I wouldn't recommend a ferret either. I've had ferrets since I was 16 (11 years of being a ferret momma) and they just have soooo many health problems.

A sugar glider would be an awesome pet, but there is mixed feelings on how much the gliders like to be handled. I personally have seen numerous gliders that love their human parents and there is shirts that have sewn on pockets and little bags to hang around the neck to pack them in. Another plus on sugar gliders is that they live 12-15 years.

Does he like reptiles? Leopard gecko's are awesome also. As are corn and rat snakes...

[Zippy]

I would get him a lone guinea pig.They love to be held and cuddled.

[Vela]

I qould say guinea pig or rats, I have 4 rats, LOVE them. They love to come out and play, love to interact with me, moreso than the guineas, which I have two of, but the guineas are nce pets as well. yes it's true rats dont live more than 2-3 years, but they are really great.

[IRescue452]

I think diet plays a major role in the smell of rodents. I'd be willing to bet the raw diet would keep a ferret from smelling bad.
Chinchillas are very care intensive, so I don't recommend them to many people.

[Chilli]

I agree with rats. =D
Eventhough their lifespan is short, their personality certainly makes up for it!

[molucass]

I'm going to agree on the pair of rats! I've had ratties before, and I love them.. They make wonderful pets and are so sweet.

[Argranade]

Guinea pig or another rabbit, if he's young he could take a rat dieing so soon very hard since he's still growing up plus guinea pig's & rabbits live long up to 30 if cared for properly and as Alicia has said they have to be nutured/spayed if you want them to live that long and healthy of course.

My favourit breed of guinea pigs is the Abyssinian, they have awsome fur and there SO adorable .. the pure black one's are the best for me they look like punks lol, there easy pets to take care of and are very smart.

Again it's up to your brother, if he knows how long a rat will live compared to a guinea pig then let him choose, I'm sure he knows what he'll want.

Here is a cute breed of guinea pig.



He could even get a bird there great pets and simple to take care of, budgies are the most commen .. it's good to get them young this way there tame, if you have any questions on birds shoot at me I have owned birds all my life.

[lute]

chinchillas aren't the best pets for children. rabbits are awesome. your brother already has experiance with them. why not get another bun? rats are great! be sure to get atleast two. they are socail animals and need the company of another rat. gerbils and hamsters aren't the best for children either. they can bite and some kids don't know how to properly handle such a small animal. i'm glad a ferret is out of the question. they are not good with small children. they need a lot of attention, lots of room and yes, they can smell. a parakeet makes a nice pet. they don't need a lot of room, are easy to keep and feed. be sure that your brother knows how to properly handle a small bird though.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Giselle]

Small children don't have full control of their strength so I wouldn't recommend a small bird like a budgie unless you know your brother is a naturally gentle fellow. I sometimes scare myself when I touch one of my birds a little rougher than usual. They're just too fragile for young children.
Whoops! Just noticed your brother's age. In this case, I think a 12-year-old can take care of a small bird very well.

A friend of mine has a rat and I think it's absolutely adorable. Since your brother has experience, I would also recommend either another bunny or rat. If size is an issue or you want to try something different, you could go with a different breed of bunny. I'm sure your local shelter has tons of buns (I know mine does!).

[Sevaede]

chinchillas aren't the best pets for children. rabbits are awesome. your brother already has experiance with them. why not get another bun? rats are great! be sure to get atleast two. they are socail animals and need the company of another rat. gerbils and hamsters aren't the best for children either. they can bite and some kids don't know how to properly handle such a small animal. i'm glad a ferret is out of the question. they are not good with small children. they need a lot of attention, lots of room and yes, they can smell. a parakeet makes a nice pet. they don't need a lot of room, are easy to keep and feed. be sure that your brother knows how to properly handle a small bird though.

GOOD LUCK!!!

Actually, gerbils are more known for NOT biting. They are extremely friendly and sociable. Most can be hand tamed. I know mine are completely comfortable with me picking them up, moving stuff around while they are there, etc. That's one of the things that appeals to people.

Ferrets, if kept up with *properly*, do not smell as many say. I have had two ferrets. Their blankets were washed every week, their food and water was always freshed, complete litter change out every other day, complete cage hose down every week, etc etc. They also had baths.

I have to agree on hampsters. I feel they are not good with children because they scare so easily and are prone to heart attacks. When I was working at PetZone, I got bitten twice by hampsters for putting my hands in their cages while they were sleeping (all cages were cleaned every day and this includes complete food/water (plus vitamins) changes).

[Miss Z]

Actually, gerbils are more known for NOT biting. They are extremely friendly and sociable. Most can be hand tamed. I know mine are completely comfortable with me picking them up, moving stuff around while they are there, etc. That's one of the things that appeals to people.

I have to agree! My three were very knowing from the minute I brought them home and have always been that way. They're quite happy to sniff and run all over your hand, and, even if they did attempt to bite you, they could never bite very hard as they have relatively small mouths and weak jawbones, unlike hamsters (also rats, although I've yet to meet a biting rat).

The only drawback to gerbils is, like chinchillas, they can get stressed if handled too much, if their companian dies, or if grabbed roughly they can shed their tails. I'm sure though, that a twelve year old will have no problem handling them, if it was someone 8 or under I would have said no way as they can be very quick to handle aswell.

Rats, I think, will always be the top rodent pet. They are dogs in smaller packages! Rats however do need a lot of space and interaction as they are intelligent animals and need to be kept stimulated and active. If you ever have any questions regarding rats, or gerbils, just send me a quick pm and I'll try to help. Whatever pet you decide on, I'm sure you will make a good choice