Top five friendliest animals for families

Looking for a furry companion for the family?

From small rodents like hamsters to fun-filled dogs and cats, choosing the right animal for your household might feel tricky. Along with the space in your home, your garden size, and the time you can devote to the animal, it needs to be a choice that everyone in the house can agree on.

If you need some pointers to help you decide, it’s always worth knowing about the friendliest animals you could keep. While some families might prefer to keep something more challenging, choosing a predictable, low-maintenance animal could be best for you.

Which animals are the friendliest to keep around the home?

1. Dogs

Dogs are frequently voted amongst the friendliest animals for families. And that’s evidenced by more people keeping dogs than ever before: from 2021/22 onwards, it’s estimated that over a third of UK households own dogs.

Playful, loyal, and intelligent, dogs make a fantastic choice. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to be able to give plenty of time to your dog to give it the exercise, stimulation, and affection it needs.

And before you choose a dog, make sure you’ve researched the different breeds, and which one could be best suited to your lifestyle.

2. Cats

Many people are divided between cats and dogs. If you’re a cat person, you’ll know just how much quieter the house feels without their chatty voices and funny antics – especially at night.

Cats make excellent companions and can even form a strong bond with their owners. Special cats might even be nominated for the National Cat Awards, especially if they provide extra support for their owners. They usually can’t be trained in the same way as dogs can, but cats tend to naturally look out for their owners – and bring them comfort too.

3. Guinea pigs

If you’re looking for a smaller animal that might be slightly easier to look after than a dog or a cat, a guinea pig could make a wonderful choice. These small, cute and furry rodents are often friendly and delight their owners with charming squeaking sounds known as wheeking!

Guinea pigs don’t mind being picked up, and some owners even set up obstacle courses or fun runs for their piggies to enjoy. They’re fairly low maintenance: to care for one, you’ll just need to keep them in their hut or pen and replace their bedding every week. You should also make sure to feed your piggies quality, nutritious guinea pig food to keep them healthy.

4. Rabbits

Not all rabbits are affectionate – but if you’re lucky enough to buy a friendly rabbit, it could make a lovely companion. Rabbits make a brilliant choice for families with young children because they’re easy to look after and usually don’t mind being handled either.

One thing to bear in mind is that you’ll need to make sure there’s no way for your rabbit to escape. For younger children, rabbit care could be the first introduction to looking after an animal – if they’re devoted and gentle with a rabbit, they might make an excellent dog owner.

5. Horses

Despite their size and the resources required to keep one, horses can make unmatched companion animals. If a horse lives in a comfortable, stress-free environment with enough space to roam freely, it will love the humans who look after them.

Horses can be alone, but they tend to fare better with a friend or two. While they might be one of the most expensive animals to own and keep, horses are certainly one of the most rewarding.

Conclusion

The right animal for your household depends on several factors, including the time you can devote to caring for it. If you’re looking for a smaller, friendly animal that’s great with people of all ages, a guinea pig could fit the bill perfectly. These adorable rodents are lower maintenance than a dog or a cat but still provide all the entertainment.