Are Fish Good Pets for Kids? 10 Reasons to Consider 

Caring for a pet is without a doubt one of the most rewarding experiences for adults and children alike. This is because pets make great companions and can provide their owner with a lot of comfort and unconditional love especially in times of distress.

Be that as it may, finding the right pet for your child requires a thorough understanding of the care and maintenance needs for specific pets.

In this post, we are going to look at the reasons why fish make great pets for kids and why you should consider getting one for your child. So without further ado, let us jump right into it.

Also Read: List of Best Fish for Kids

Great Biology Project

Adopting fish as pets for your kids can broaden their knowledge on the biology of these animals.

Having live fish in your home allows your kids to learn about the biological and behavioral characteristics of these animals through observation which can help establish a solid foundation for their early academic life and spark their curiosity.

Teaching Responsibility

Acquiring pet fish for your kids can help to inculcate a sense of responsibility in them. Through feeding and caring for their pet fish, your kids will develop an appreciation of what it takes to care for other living beings, thus preparing them for future responsibilities as they grow up.

Similarly being tasked with nurturing their pet fish can help your child to develop virtues like empathy and compassion.

Easy to Care For

Unlike most common household pets like cats and dogs which require a lot of care, fish usually require very little maintenance. One reason for this is that fish do not require a lot of space to keep.

You can easily host them in a regular glass bowl in case a commercial-grade aquarium is beyond your financial ability. Similarly, fish do not require to be bathed in the same way that other pets do.

As long as they are regularly fed and the water in the fish-bowl or aquarium is changed a few times a month, the fish will survive and thrive comfortably.

Do Not Smell

Another huge advantage of keeping fish as pets is that they do not smell.

Unlike other pets like cats and dogs which can get soiled and smelly easily when left to roam freely, fish by virtue of their living in a contained aquatic environment can remain clean and odor-free indefinitely.

Don’t Produce Allergies

Pet allergy is one of the most common problems that pet owners tend to experience. These allergic reactions usually occur when individuals are exposed to certain proteins in an animal’s skin cells, urine or saliva.

This can cause unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing, fever and runny nose. However, since pet fish do not typically have direct physical contact with their owners, they pose no threat for allergic reactions.

You Can Leave Fish Alone

Another benefit of keeping fish as pets is that they do not require constant attention and monitoring. This is very different from other pets like dogs and cats which demand a lot of attention and affection.

You can therefore leave your fish by itself without worrying that it will get hurt or affected in some other way. As long as you keep them well fed and their water regularly cleaned, fish can survive without much physical or emotional input.

Don’t Need to Walk Them

Keeping a dog as a pet requires that you walk them regularly in order to ensure they are active and well exercised. Although this can be an enjoyable activity and a chance to bond with your pet it can also be extremely arduous if you are a busy person and impractical under some weather conditions.

Fortunately, fish do not need to be walked for obvious reasons, which makes them very convenient to keep as pets.

Fish are Playful

Although most people tend to think of fish as passive pets, these aquatic animals can actually be very playful and active. Most species of fish are quite intelligent and have a sense of awareness about their surroundings.

They can therefore be trained to respond to certain cues and even perform impressive tricks such as swimming through a hoop or eating from one’s hands. This ,however, requires some patience and persistence to accomplish.

Fish are Cost-effective

When it comes to household pets, fish are undoubtedly some of the relatively inexpensive pets to keep. The cost of purchasing a fish pet ranges between $1 to $25 which is quite cheap compared to other pets such as cats and dogs which can cost hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars.

Similarly, fish rarely get sick when properly maintained, which means you won’t need to spend extra money on vet services like you would when keeping larger and more complex pets like cats or dogs.

Fish Don’t Carry Diseases and Parasites

One of the most common problems which pet owners who keep cats and dogs usually run into is parasite infestation. Furry animals tend to be highly susceptible to attacks by blood-sucking parasites such as lice and fleas which can be expensive and time consuming to control.

These animals can also transmit these parasites to human beings which can cause a lot of physical discomfort and health issues. On the other hand, fish are essentially immune to these parasites and therefore pose no risk of transmission to their human owners.

Bottom Line

Keeping a pet can greatly enrich the experience of any child. However, choosing the right pet for your child is a decision which requires serious thought and evaluation. Different pets typically have different needs as well as varying life characteristics.

So, while purchasing a furry pet for your child might seem the most obvious option, it may not be the most practical or convenient for your child.

Fish on the other hand are relatively inexpensive pets which require little maintenance and care. These aquatic animals do not require constant affection and attention so they can easily be left to their own devices without putting their well-being in jeopardy.

Likewise, fish make great pets because they do not produce allergies or stink up the house. If you are looking for the best pet companion for your child, therefore, I would highly recommend finding them a nice colorful fish to keep them engaged, entertained and educated.