Best pet for 9 year old? Update- got a leopard gecko!

[snakemama]

From what I've seen of leopard geckos, they are pretty hard to care for properly. Whenever I see one in a rescue or privately owned, they seem undernourished. I'd say a uromastyx is more sturdy for that age of a child who may want to handle it more often, plus their diet is easier imo. They get much bigger than a gecko though.

It is common for new lizard owners to not realize that their pet needs supplementation in the form of dust for their crickets in order for their skeleton to form properly. Thus, a lot of leopard geckos in the hands of newbies wind up with metabolic bone disease. Pembroke_Corgi is researching NOW so that she doesn't miss any of these things.

Leopard geckos do not require special lighting, and they are strict carnivores, eating only insects. The insects should be "gut-loaded" by feeding them a nutritious cricket diet for a day before feeding them off, as well as dusted with calcium powder. One adult can comfortably spend its life in a ten gallon tank.

Uromastyx are omnivorous, thus the need to both gut load/dust insects and cut up appropriate vegetables for them regularly. They need a tremendously hot basking spot(120 degrees or higher!!), as well as UV lighting, which can be expensive and needs to be replaced at least 2x a year. (Not to mention the possibility of a small child burning himself on the light) Plus, they need larger tanks.

Not that I'm knocking Uros, they are fantastic little animals, but I feel strongly that a leo is more appropriate for a beginner to the hobby, and MUCH MUCH easier to care for.

[ramanth]

Crested geckos are really hardy. I don't have any supplemental heat for mine. And if insects bother you, you can simply feed them Crested Gecko Diet (powder you mix with water).

[molucass]

I was going to suggest a Crested gecko rather than a Leopard gecko as well.

[ginalovesfelines]

I agree that leos are not that hard to take care of. With a good tank, heater, and thermometer you will be ready to go. Their diet is pretty easy also. It would be my first pick, esp for a 9yr boy!

[Cataholic]

I am more of a mammal lover myself. So, I suggest you get him a horse. Big enough to feel manly, doesn't eat other animals, doesn't need a heat source, and the manure has a positive bio impact. Plus, your daughter would love the horse, too.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I am more of a mammal lover myself. So, I suggest you get him a horse. Big enough to feel manly, doesn't eat other animals, doesn't need a heat source, and the manure has a positive bio impact. Plus, your daughter would love the horse, too.

I wish!!

[Catherinedana]

I think guinea pigs are great companion animals for young people because they are usually very laid back (at least in my experience) although there is still the chance of a problem between them and the cats.

Please do not get him a bird. So many budgies have gone to the bridge because they are thought of as "starter pets" but they are not. As mentioned before they are a bit noisy, definately messy and unless you get more than one, they will be disfunctional if he decided he doesn't want to interact much with it. Budgies are highly intellegent and get a bad rap. And I won't even mention about them looking like a lovely light snack to the cats.

Perhaps waiting a while to see how he interacts and cares for the animals already in the house will lead to an easier decision process.

[Miss Z]

No-one suggested rats?

[BitsyNaceyDog]

No-one suggested rats?

Wow! Where's my head? Rats have always been one of my favorite kid-friendly pets. I had always hoped to get Nathan rats when he became old enough for "his own" pet, but as of now (he's only 3) he much prefers reptiles. My husband is thrilled that Nathan shares his love for herpetology. Maybe Topher will be a rat kid?

[Christmas_Hamster]

No-one suggested rats?

I was going to a little while ago but I got here late and it looked like it had been settled on reptiles. :P