Guinea pig or hamster for 2yr old?

[user1489844432]

Hello

I am thinking about getting a little pet for my little one. They got hamster in nursery and he loves it. Obviously my DC is too little to take care of an animal so it will be on me. I am just wondering which one would be more suitable or perhaps none of them is. Ideally I would get a dog but it is out of question for now.

Neither

Neither

Hamsters are nocturnal so not great for kids. Guinea pigs would be better but note the plural; you can’t have just one! They need company

Neither! A 2yo doesn't need a pet. Get them a Teddy bear.

Neither.

2 is much too young.

Age 7 or 8 for first pet if you must.

Neither, hamsters are usually asleep during the day and active whilst your two year old will be in bed - they can be very grumpy and will bite if disturbed during the day.

Another vote for neither. These are animals, not toys.

I think Pets age great for kids as long as they are supervised etc

Guinea pigs are much better, less likely to bite. Hamsters are vicious little creatures

Neither

Hamsters can be bitey and are nocturnal. They are also fragile so easily killed

Guinea pigs need at least 2, are prey animals so very skittish and again can bite if scared. They are more robust than hamsters but still not ideal.

Get some fish if you must get something. Toddler can’t pet them but they are fascinating to watch

Neither. Both have extremely sharp teeth and doctors are a bit pushed just now.

Oh neither, OP. I've had plenty of both. Guinea pigs can get very stressed and have a stroke if poorly handled. And you really, really, really can't have eyes in the back of your head. Toddlers and guinea pigs/hamsters can go wrong. I have stories!
You really can't hold and cuddle either too much (my piggies were semi-cuddly with me but skittish with the kids). They can nip as well.
Really, get a dog later on. Or a cat. My dog is far easier than any piggy! Guinea pig cage cleaning is an ongoing slog. There's a lot of unrewarding work that goes into guinea pig ownership.
Hamsters, just no. They're up all night on their wheel!

I've kept rabbits and guinea pigs all my life, when mine were little they loved helping to feed them, picking dandelions and daisies to feed them, growing carrots for them to eat.

Rabbits are very easy to litter train and once it's done they can safely be indoors but supervised because they will chew cables and furniture.
They should live outdoors in a hutch big enough for them to stand on their back legs fully stretched and at least three hops in length with access to an outdoor run from the hutch.
Rabbits and guinea pigs should be kept in pairs, you must neuter male and female rabbits or they will fight.

Do some research and have a look at rescue centres, they always have abandoned rabbits but be under no illusions any pet will need your care and attention it won't be your child's pet it will be yours but they can bring a lot of pleasure to the whole family.

He enjoyed watching the hamster at nursery. That's enough for a two year old. You don't have to replicate at home everything he liked at nursery .

Neither .... agree 2 is too young, they don’t need a pet, would soon get bored.

Hamster - nocturnal, most still nip.
Guinea pigs - must keep more than 1 ... they stink! We clean ours daily and they still stink. They wee EVERYWHERE!

Think you have your pretty unanimous answer.

Think about why do you want the pet?

Something to cuddle/ stroke - get a teddy bear, visit a petting zoo once life returns to normal
To watch - Get fish, or buy some bird seed and watch the birds
To learn about looking after living things - grow some seeds
A pet for you - get a cat (adult, rescue whose temperament is already known) or wait until getting a dog is feasible

We started with caterpillars when ours were 3 and watched them become butterflies. That was about the right level. When they were about 5 we got a hamster for dh and kids enjoyed sharing that.

Thanks for all the answers. Not what I expected but glad I asked before getting one.

At two I would say neither.

For an older child I would recommend rats. Intelligent, robust (far more than guinea pigs, which are very delicate) and very entertaining.

Our DS loves watching the goldfish. And I admit to finding them really relaxing after a busy day!

Neither -
My DD and I kept guinea-pigs for over 8 years ( just got down to the last old girl last Easter) . They are lovely animals and they very very rarely bite but they are quite demanding little animals .

The fact you say "A Guinea-Pig" suggests you've done bugger all research into them and the fact you say "ideally I'd get a dog" suggests you really want a dog and a guinea-pig is not a substitute .

My DD was 9yo when we got our ( yes OUR ) first piggie pair . (I kept guineas myself from 9yo-22yo) .
As the adult the pet is yours .
You take the responsibility 100%
Especially when your kid gets bored (which my DD never did , but there were times if she was ill/away/had shed loads of homework that I did the Piggie Work. At one point we had 5 guinea pigs together )

Neither. Two is far too young

I got g pigs for my older dc when my younger was about 4 and he was far too young to safely hold it on his own. At 7 now he can, but I would still need to lift them in and out of the run.
It's a nice idea OP but not a very good one.

Neither. 2 year olds are just not gentle enough

I agree with the pp who suggested rats for an older child though, they’re lovely sociable creatures

Another vote for neither.

For a two year old??? Get him a furreal toy if he is lucky, otherwise keep to imaginary dogs and fluffy toys until he is mature enough to care for and not to hurt (or kill) a small animal.