Suggestions for a Low Maintenance Pet for a 3 1/2 Year Old and 2 Busy Parents?

I will second the guinea pig suggestion. We have one they are friendly and very easy to care for.

we got a beta fish for my daughter.. It was easy and she loved it.. Low maintance just feed once a day and change the water every so often.... (and they are cheap) You can get any bowl, the food last forever... It worked for us

Fish are excellent pets for young children. I had four until we had to move and did not have the room for the 55 gallon fish tank we had so we had to give them away. I know that my sister in law has birds with my 4 year old nephew and that works very well for her. She goes away for the weekend 1-2 times a month. Rabbits are good as well. Mostly I would suggest a pet that you can leave a bowel of food for or something and some water and they can fend for themselves basically. I think my Rabbit was my favortie until we moved into an apartment that allowed no pets. My daughter is 2 and was able to help me with all of our pets. Hope this helps.

i'm sure you may get a lot of this response but a goldfish is a perfect first pet. keep it on a high shelf....get cute little stones and decorations for the bowl/tank and your daughter will be so happy.

How about a Guinea Pig? They are low maintenance, easy to care for and require daily handling to be happy!

My friend has two children and lives it seems on Dr. Dolittle's Island. lol All of her pets are very low maintenance and so far have survived very curious 5 and 8 year old little boys. She also leaves them alone for long streches and the seem to do ok. She has: turtle, fish, frogs, hermit crab, hamster, parrot, salamanders, and a snake. Oh and a dog who is terrified of the rest of them but he needs let out every now and then ;-)

Hi there. I have to say the best pet we have had is a hermit crab. We got them down at the shore (which you can get at any local pet shop - very low maintenance. I just make sure his sponge is wet and his food lasts for a few days. The only maintenace really is changing their sand. You could go away for a few days as long as they have a water source. I recommend a smaller hermit since they do have little pinchers but are generally afraid to come out but as you handle them they will get used to it......they usually run $3 - $5 - after all is said and done about $20 for tank, sand, food etc...well good luck to you!!!
L.

My son now wants a turtle & especially after he visited my friend who has one. My son is almost 3. We asked a pet store about caring for one & we want to add one to our family soon this year.

Ask at your local pet store that carried them. Our daughter wants a hamster, which are nocturnal. She did not want to hold it when we were at the pet store.

I hope this helps some.

The easiest low maintenance pet is fresh water fish. We did this for my daughter. She is 3 and even feeds them herself. Good Luck.