Good Pets for Children – Are Parrots Good Pets for Children?

Good Pets For Children

Are parrots and cockatiels good pets for children, and should you buy a parrot or cockatiel as a pet for your child? Well, I guess it depends on your child.

To determine what type of parrots are good pets for children, you first need to look at whether the bird in question can injure or hurt your child, then you need to look at whether your child will injure or hurt his or her bird.

If your child is the rough and tumbles sort, maybe a medium sized dog would be the answer rather than a delicate bird.  That way they can play together and get rid of pent-up energy.

If your child is a gentle patient type, then a bird is ideal.

Cockatiels are larger than finches and budgies, but they’re still one of the best pet birds for kids. They can learn to talk, whistle, and do tricks, which children love. Cockatiels do well with older children who can devote time to interacting with them.

Another reason that a cockatiel makes an excellent pet for a child, is because it is gentle and friendly. Make sure you supervise your child and teach your child to care for the cockatiel properly first. It is a good idea to buy a hand reared cockatiel for a child, as taming a wild cockatiel is a bit hectic and their bites can be a bit much for a child to handle.

Make sure that your child isn’t allergic to dust, as cockatiels always have dust in their feathers.

A budgie also makes a wonderful pet for a child. They can be tamed quite easily and do not have huge beaks, although they can give a painful nip if provoked. You can read more about Budgies as pets by clicking here.

I would not recommend an oversized parrot for any child younger than 12, as they can be dangerous if not handled correctly.

The reason that bigger parrots are a little more complicated, is that they tend to bond with adults most of the time, and may get aggressive towards your child and give them a painful bite.  Cockatiels, budgies or other small parrots are a far better choice for your child to start off with.

Here are some tips to heed before giving your child a cockatiel or any other bird for that matter:

• Make sure before you buy your child any pet that he or she knows that the pet will be their sole responsibility, and that includes feeding, cleaning the cage and giving the pet attention each day.
• Make sure your child approaches the cage quietly.  Cockatiels and pet birds don’t like to be surprised.
• Talk gently and softly to the bird.  Cockatiels and pet birds don’t like screaming and yelling.
• Don’t shake or hit the cage to get the birds attention.
• Make sure your child handles the bird gently if the bird is removed from the cage.
• Don’t let your child take the bird outside, as they could get a fright and fly away.  If the wings are clipped, supervise your child and pet bird.
• Respect the bird’s need for quiet time.

Don’t give a child a pet as a present.  Always make sure it is a well thought out decision, and that the child fully understands the responsibilities of keeping a pet.

Other birds, besides cockatiels and budgies, that are suitable to give children as pets are finches (not really tamable), doves, lovebirds, quaker parakeet, bantam chicken, and a singing canary.

To read more about other choices that are good pets for children, click here.