Your Child's First Pet

Has your child been begging for a pet? Is your little one captivated by snakes, lizards, and other reptiles? Our scaled buddies may not be popular with everyone, but they do have some specific charms. In fact, some reptiles are great first pets for kids. In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a local vet discusses getting your child a reptile.

Benefits of Reptiles

There are actually some pretty great advantages to having a pet reptile. For one thing, they’re quiet. They also don’t smell, as long as their habitat is kept clean, and don’t need any training. Reptiles are also a great option for kids who are allergic to dogs and cats. You may be able to keep the tank in your little one’s room. Finally, you may be surprised at how captivating reptiles can be. This is a great distraction and comfort for your little one.



Choosing A Reptile

Have you decided to let your child get a reptile? Great! Now what? Choosing the right reptile is very important. Reptiles all have their own unique care needs. Some have specific habitat requirements, while others can get quite large. You’ll want to do plenty of research. It’s important to choose a reptile that is gentle, not too large, and easy to care for. Geckos, particularly crested geckos and leopard geckos, can be a good choice. You could also get your little one an anole or a bearded dragon. Tortoises can be a good choice for children. However, they can carry salmonella. Your child will have to wash their hands frequently, which of course is something we’ve all been doing a lot of lately. Do plenty of research before visiting the pet store. You’ll also need to look at dietary needs, estimated adult size, environmental requirements, and age span.

Things To Consider

When talking about kids and pets, it’s always worth mentioning that it isn’t uncommon for kids to beg for pets, only to lose interest in them. Dogs and cats are often more family pets, and tend to quickly charm their humans. Reptiles? Not so much. It’s always sad when animals get rehomed. Make sure your little one understands the responsibility they’re taking on!

Please contact us here at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO vet, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, anytime. We’re here to help!