Having a pet in the classroom can be a great thing, especially for children who do not have pets at home.  There are many considerations when selecting an appropriate pet for the classroom.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/edenpictures/3274343996/  Kids surround the classroom hamster.

Allergies

Some pets have allergens (dander) that might bother some of the children. Such pets should be avoided. Also consider if the bedding needed could be a problem.

Smell

A classroom pet should have no odor problems, young children in particular may be sensitive to smells and some might even vomit at offensive odors.

Size

Small pets are often viewed as being cuter than larger ones, however children can do serious harm to small pets if they are not coached on how to handle the pet correctly. The size of the cage needed for the pet should also be a consideration, the cage should always be as large as possible to allow the animal adequate exercise. As such a teacher may want to think about how much space they have to allot to the pet and its supplies.

Daily Needs

Here one must consider how frequently the animal needs to be fed and have its cage cleaned. Does the animal require time out of its cage daily, and if so, how much? Will the animal be okay if left in the classroom on weekends, or does it need to be cared for every day?

Risks

Some pets can bite, so pet selection is a top concern here to avoid liability. A well selected, friendly, pet is very important when picking a species that can bite.

Lifespan

A pet with a long lifespan might live to see many years of school kids pass through the classroom, this also means it needs care throughout many summers and is a long term commitment on behalf of the teacher. A pet with a shorter lifespan might die at any time during the school year. This raises its own concerns. Does the teacher use it as a lesson to teach the kids about death, or do they rush off to buy a replacement, look-a-like animal?

Opportunities for the Children’s Involvement

Can the children help care for the pets? In most cases the kids will feel good if they can assist in the feeding and care of the pet. This should be done with supervision.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/g_kat26/3310542025/  Spiny Stick Insect

Types of Pets

Fish

Fish have the advantage that they have no allergens and no real odor concerns. Different species can work in any size tank to accommodate any amount of space or aquarium size. They can be left for a few days and with a proper filter, regular maintenance can be done once a week. With supervision the kids can help with regular feeding of the fish.

Amphibians

Frogs and salamanders make good classroom pets for the same reason as fish, in that they have no common allergens and can be left for a few days. The main concern with them is that the children wash their hands both before, and after, handling the pet. Salmonella is a concern with some amphibians, especially turtles.

Reptiles

Some reptiles are better as classroom pets than others, particularly when it comes to snakes. Larger snakes require larger food and some children (or their parents) might be disturbed at the notion of feeding rodents to snakes, even though many will eat already dead animals.

Rodents

There are a couple of concerns with rodents that teachers need to be aware of. They, and particularly their cages, have a smell. Some, such as untamed hamsters, can bite. They should be taken out of their cages daily, or have a very large cage. They should not be left for more than a day, meaning they need care on the weekends. However, most rodents are seen as cute, in the eyes of children who like to watch them. Also it may be noted that some rodents are nocturnal and will not be awake in the day.

Birds

Very few classrooms have birds. One reason is that birds have dander which can cause allergies. They are also messy and some are loud. The larger birds can bite hard. Finches or Canaries, being smaller and not as loud, might be suitable in situations where none of the children have allergies, but are not suitable to be held.

Other

Other pets worth consideration for classroom pets include insects, hermit crabs, and rabbits (not technically rodents). Insects and hermit crabs having many advantages such as no smell or allergens. Additionally there are many unusual insects, such as walking sticks, that can help children overcome their (occasional) fear of bugs. These pets should be purchased, not captured wild, which is illegal in some areas.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30894945@N04/3249247551/  Hermit Crab

Other Considerations

Placement

Where the pet is placed in the classroom is another consideration. It should be somewhere that it does not cause distraction. It should be in a secure spot where children can gather around when allowed without risk of the cage being pushed off the table.

Weekends and Holidays

Since some animals need care every day the teacher will either have to take it home, arrange to get into the school on weekends, or have a student rotation where responsible children earn the privilege of taking the pet home (with parent permission of course). Many of the above mentioned pets are okay on a normal two day weekend, but a longer break should see the animal cared for properly. A teacher who is not themselves willing to take home a pet on long breaks (such as Christmas or summer holiday) should not get a pet because there may not be a student who is willing or able to care for it.

Purchase

Pets bought from pet stores are rarely handled before reaching the store, as such they may not be well socialized or use to being handled. This is especially important when considering a pet of a variety that might bite (such as a hamster). Rather it might be better to select one from an animal shelter or a home breeder. If they can prove the pet is comfortable being held it is better than taking a risk with a pet store animal. On the whole, male rodents are often friendlier than females.

Information on Some of the Above Pet Types

Hamster vs Guinea Pig, a Comparison

Betta Fish

Northern Walking Stick Insects

Leaf Frogs

Pets for People with Allergies

If you have opinions, ideas, or knowledge, and would like to get Paid for sharing them by writing for sites like this, Click Here.