pets, which, how, and how much..

[Sassafrass]

We're thinking of getting a small pet of some kind. I'm thinking that something small would be handy, like a guineapig or hamster. We do have a toddler already =), and while she loves animals she'd require lots of supervision while interacting with the animal.

My question is, what kind of animal would you recommend with a toddler around and how much do they generally cost with all the equipment.

Thank you!

hamster would be cheap option- you can get a 'starter kit' with cage, bowl etc for not too much. word of warning though- too noisy at night to have cage in bedrooms!

goldfish good too- low maintainence and hours of entertainment.

Agree that hamsters are lovely! However, it will probably not be awake when your toddler is, and unless it is very tame your child will not be able to cuddle it. Guinea pigs are a bit bigger and more amenable to being cuddled. However, you need a bigger hutch and they like being in pairs.
Goldfish - easy option, restful to watch!

I'd like to put in a vote for gerbils!! They're a lot cleaner, hardly ever bite (even when not tame!) and are more active than hamsters! Also, if you house them in a big fish tank you can watch them tunnel about!
Guinea pigs would be able to withstand 2 year old more, my ds (2.9) loves our guinea pigs and spends half the summer picking herbs out of the garden to feed to them! He is allowed to sit with them on his knee and brush/stroke them, and he also helps clean them out etc. (I.E. chucks big handfuls of hay and sawdust in general direction of hutch ).
One thing to bear in mind is what you're going to do with them while you're on holiday, little rodents in tanks/cages are much more self contained and move-about-able than g.pigs and probably easier to find a sitter for!

Hi, am Veterinary Nurse. I wouldn't go for a hamster as for a start they're nocturnal and get rather annoyed if they're woken up in the daytime and can bite! Gerbils are better but are really quick and not always easy to handle. I would probably go for a guinea pig or rabbit as they are easier to handle. Personally I would look for one in your local paper rather than go to a large pet store as they are usually cheaper and better cared for.