Is your child begging for a pet? These can be tricky waters to navigate. Pets can be very beneficial to kids: they can teach children about responsibility, kindness, and compassion. However, it’s not uncommon for children to lose interest in that pet they really, really wanted … leaving the animal’s care to the parents. Believe it or not, a frog may be a great solution. A Covington, GA vet discusses frogs for kids below.

Benefits Of Adopting A Frog

One of the biggest pluses to choosing a frog? They’re actually pretty low maintenance. The biggest thing is getting their habitat set up and keeping it clean. You won’t need to train Kermit, and you don’t need to worry too much about keeping him entertained. These guys mostly just sit around all day. Frogs are also actually pretty cute in their own way.

Downfalls

Before adopting a pet, it’s important to know both the pros and cons involved. There are a few downsides to having a frog. The biggest concern is the possibility of salmonella. Your child will need to be diligent about washing their hands before and after touching their frog or its things. For some children, this won’t be an issue. If your child is too young to be trusted to do this without being coaxed, it may not be quite time for a frog yet. The other concern is that some frogs live quite a long time. Many can live up to 15 years. The African Bullfrog can make it to 35! Last but not least, your amphibious pal may be nocturnal, and could be a bit loud.

Care

There are over 5000 known types of frogs, only a few of which make suitable pets. Out of those, you’ll find a lot of variation in things like size, life expectancy, and care needs. Some, such as the African Dwarf Frog, spend the majority of their time in water. Others, such as the White’s Tree Frog, are arboreal. Some are also friendlier than others. Do plenty of research before adopting one. You’ll want to look into size, habitat requirements, diet, noise levels, life expectancy, and personality. Some good options for beginners include the Dwarf Clawed Frog, Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, White’s Tree Frog, African Clawed Frog, American Green Tree Frog, and Pacman Frog. Ask your vet for specific recommendations.

Do you have questions about frog care? Please feel free to contact us, your Covington, GA animal clinic, anytime. We’re hoppy to help!