What's the best pet for a 5 year old child?

[Plocket]

A rabbit or a pair of guinea pigs?

[missmoore]

GUINEA PIGS! I had loads when I was a kid, and they're just the best tempered creatures ever. Pretty docile as well, and there's less chance of them digging up your garden. Couldn't recommend them enough. Also, they are super cute.

[Dawnio06]

which ever you will be willing to clean out for the next few years..because children alway lose interest. So i would get which ever you prefer

[snapdarlich]

Guinea Pigs or Rats are best.

[naz_nomad]

Definitely a rat ... lots more social that arabbit or guinea pig

[B00]

I 3rd the rat nomination, they are awesome pets and really friendly and inteligent.

[harriman]

We have 2 rats and 2 guinea pigs (and 4 children ages 3, 5, 6 and 8)
The guinea's are good because they are nice and placid and chunky to handle for the younger children.
Have to say that rats are my favourites as they are such characters and much more fun. However, have to supervise closely with the younger kids as my rats are a bit speedy!
I'd get rabbit, guinea's and rats!

[~Wingnut~]

What about one of each? Ours always lived together peacefully & quite happily :o)
I grew up with loads of pets and always found my rabbit and guinea pigs so cute and good pets

We have a rabbit (we either had her or she was to be made into a pie, nice way to be about a family pet they had had for 4 yrs, poor thing didn't even have a name!) for our 2 daughter's (3 & 8) and we give them a hand to clear her out but they don't need telling twice to feed her, infact the 3 yr old is more keen than the other one! We've had her prob about a yr and a half now.

I agree with the other's as well tho, rats do make very good pets.
Good luck in finding the new addition to your family :o)

[Plocket]

Nooooooooo! I've had two experiences with rats: A distraught friend phoned me when her snake had eaten her rodent, and I had to console her (the snakes were nice but the rat was so much more friendly)

And we used to breed them at school for disection and seeing a rat would make me think about that all over again. YUCK YUCK YUCK! Poor things.

It's going to be guinea pigs or rabbits, but I do appreciate your comments - thank you very much.

[Jenny Tools]

How about a brother or sister?

[annavc]

Guinea Pigs - i had 2 as a child and just adored them. They were chunky and cuddly and fun. We had a huge outdoor run for them and I used to climb in there and sit on the grass for hours playing with them. They used to run all over me, it was great fun.