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These Are the 8 Best Low Maintenance Pets
Not every family has the space, time or means to own a large pet like a dog - that doesn’t mean the kids have to miss out on the experience of owning a pet. There are a number of critters that make great pets that can be owned at low cost and maintenance.
Pets That Require Low Maintenance
All pets require different amounts of care, attention and maintenance. Some can do with just a few feeds a day, fresh water and air and no need for playtime or walks twice a day for exercise and poop. Here is a list of low maintenance pets for kids that you can consider having at home.
1. Budgie Bird
The little Budgie bird is the most popular pet animal after dogs and cats. They also rank high among low maintenance bird pets due to their size and how well they do in captivity. These tiny affectionate birds are inexpensive to buy and are available in all pet stores. What makes them really cool is how well they can mimic human speech when trained properly.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Since they are small, they can be kept in a small birdcage. If you have only one bird, you will become its flock by default, and you will have to spend time with them. A second budgie can solve his isolation problem, and they will do well together. Their diet need not only consist of seeds you get at pet stores; budgies can eat most of the veggies and fruits that we eat. A diet consisting of seeds, leafy greens, fresh fruits and vegetables are perfect to keep these little birds healthy and happy.
Life Span
5 to 15 years.
Cost
INR 300 to 400 for a pair.
2. Mice
Despite their bad reputation throughout history, mice are highly intelligent and fond of social interaction, making them easy low maintenance pets for children. The fancy white mouse is a widely popular variety that is kept as a pet or used in medical research. They differ from their wild cousins in the colour of their fur, their ability to be tamed, size, and other features. They are easily trained, independent and quite loyal.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Mice are incredibly easy to care for; they only need a cage, some toys and food to live a happy pet’s life. Their cages need to be well ventilated and cleaned once in a while. Since they are such fun loving animals, they also need playtime outside their cages. You can let them play on the couch or the carpet with the kids as they like running around. They are especially cuddly when raised from a young age. While the mouse can be fed mice-food bought from pet stores, they will happily eat most of the foods that we do. Just make sure you give them plenty of fruits and vegetables while avoiding junk.
Life Span
2-3 years.
Cost
They can cost around INR 200 per pair.
3. Hamsters
Hamsters are the cutest rodent pets you can pick for your children. They are petite fur balls that fit entirely in your hand and are fun-loving, active creatures. They come in several breeds and colours, and different breeds are known for their distinctive traits. Some of the most common are Chinese Hamsters, Dwarf Hamsters and Syrian Hamsters. These rodents are mostly nocturnal and become active around the time kids come back from school. They can also keep you company if you’re up late at night working.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Hamsters are relatively easy to look after. Hamsters need water and fresh food every day, and something to play with so they can keep themselves entertained. There are numerous hamster cages available online and in pet stores that have a variety of games for these little rodents to play in. Give them a good play-park with hamster wheels, tubes and toys, and they’ll be happy. They can be put on a diet of store-bought seeds and treats and a variety of other fruits, vegetables and proteins for a balanced diet.
Life Span
2 years.
Cost
Price can vary from INR 500 to 1000, depending on the breed.
4. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are popular as pets around the world mainly because of their gentle and affectionate behaviour. Although at first sight, they seem like overgrown hamsters, the two animals are very different. Guinea pigs are much more active and have a more lively personality. Once you get to know them, you can understand when they are happy, excited, sad or mad. They respond well to being handled gently and do not need as much attention as dogs. They can also get lonely and need the company of another guinea pig; therefore it’s ideal to buy them in a pair.
Why They are Low Maintenance
They need a cage with sufficient space to play and things to hide next to. Freshwater, food, and good ventilation is a basic requirement for them to be healthy. They are simple to care for and have a small appetite like most rodents of their size. Food purchased from a pet store can be supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables for much-needed nutrition.
Life Span
4 to 6 years
Cost
About INR 600
5. Guppies
Guppies are one of the most attractive and popular fish among aquarium hobbyists. Children would love their striking colours and long flowing tails and spend endless hours looking at them move about.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Most guppies are tolerant of a wide variety of water types and thrive all around the world. They can be raised in a fish bowl or a small sized tank that is filtered. Guppies are peaceful and normally do well in community tanks. They get along well with fish of their own kind and other species, too. They thrive on general fish food and love frozen bloodworms.
Life Span
2 years, depending on tank conditions
Cost
Around INR 20 per fish
6. Gold Fish
Goldfish are the most popular fish among aquarium owners. These low maintenance aquarium pets are inexpensive and readily available in all pet stores. There are hundreds of different varieties with the smaller species (fancy goldfish) being ideal pets for children to raise in a fish bowl. A little-known fact is that the common goldfish can grow to enormous sizes and even reach 2 feet in length!
Why They are Low Maintenance
The smaller varieties such as the Fancy goldfish can be kept in an average sized bowl. However, if you want the common goldfish, they’ll do well in a medium sized fish tank. Goldfish feed is inexpensive and can be bought from pet stores. Since they are messy eaters, your tank would need a filter to keep the water clean.
Life Span
Average 5 to 10 years.
Cost
Prices start from INR 20.
7. Assassin Snail
These critters aren’t exactly a pet your child can bond with, but they make interesting additions to their aquariums. They are brightly coloured and have shells with yellow and chocolate coloured stripes. The assassin snail, as the name suggests, is a snail that eats other snails - mainly the nuisance-causing types. They do not attack the fish and are generally peaceful. Most commonly bought from pet stores at sizes less than 1cm, these snails can grow to 75cm long.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Assassin snails are tolerant of different water types as they are commonly found in freshwater streams and ponds. They are opportunistic omnivores and their diet consist of algae, biofilm, and both live prey and scavenged detritus.
Life Span
About 2 years
Cost
INR 35
8. Cats
Although cats do not bond with humans as strongly as dogs do, they are nonetheless just as loved by everybody, especially children. They are endlessly entertaining with their goofy antics that are sure to make everyone laugh. Their purrs and meows are oddly relaxing which make even the naughtiest of the kids to want to play nice with them.
Why They are Low Maintenance
Most types of domestic cats are low maintenance as they are surprisingly independent and can look after themselves even when you’re not around. Cats do not take up too much space and are perfect pets for those living in a small apartment. They don’t need frequent baths as they are built to keep themselves clean. The only thing you will have to spend on is cat food and kitty litter.
Life Span
10-18 years
Cost
Kittens of the indigenous cat varieties can be adopted from animal shelters.
Whether they are low maintenance or not, all pets need loving care and attention from their owners. When buying one for your child, ensure they understand that the animals should be treated with respect and commitment.
Also Read:
Tips for Maintaining Hygiene with Pets in House
How to Take Care Your Pet in Rainy Season Read more
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Peeling Skin in Newborns - Why Does it Happen?
When a baby is born, a lot of changes happen in the baby’s body. These, at times, might manifest in the form of dry skin and skin being peeled off. Baby head skin peeling can occur at times and make parents terrified of what is happening. It, then, becomes extremely important to understand why this exactly happens and treat any serious factors if they might exist.
What Causes Baby Skin Peeling?
In most cases, following a few days after delivery or after you come back home, your newly born baby’s skin can start getting dry or flaky. This causes it to peel off from various parts and is usually quite normal.
When a baby is born, it is covered with a lot of fluids from the mother’s body. Amniotic fluid and vernix are some of them that cover the newborn. The vernix is extremely important since it protects the baby from the fluid. Usually, all these fluids are wiped off the baby’s body when you give birth to your baby. The vernix might stay on the baby’s body which then peels off later in the following weeks. Premature babies have a larger proportion of vernix, hence they peel off the lesser skin.
How Much Peeling Occurs Normally?
The amount of skin peelings that occurs on the baby is dependent on when the baby was born. Babies that are overdue peel a lot more than normal or than premature babies since they have a lesser quantity of vernix on them. This usually results in baby skin peeling off fingers and toes in large amounts.
Other Serious Factors that Can Cause Infant Skin Peeling
Most peeling is quite usual in newborns. However, certain types of skin peelings can be indicative of a serious disease or condition that needs to be addressed quickly. Here are a few factors that might be responsible for skin peeling.
1. Eczema
Eczema is a well-known skin problem. Called as atopic dermatitis, this condition results in itchy red portions on various areas of the baby’s body. These are dry and usually occur on the baby’s cheeks, legs and arms, around the neck, or any areas of the body where the skin usually folds.
Eczema is not a disease but a kind of genetic condition. It is the body’s immune response to environmental conditions. Presence of any dust mites in the house, infections caused by viruses, heat, vaccinations, or even a change in soaps, lotions, detergents, could affect the skin and cause the reaction to happen.
How To Treat
If your child shows symptoms of eczema, talk to your doctor who would be able to diagnose it immediately and prescribe any medication as necessary.
There are easy home remedies one can make use of to provide the baby with some quick relief. Bathing the baby with lukewarm water and using a mild soap or a mild bathing gel can be beneficial. Avoid rubbing your baby with a towel but pat instead to dry it out.
In case eczema starts flaring up, make use of a moisturizer to keep the skin from being dry. At times, applying breast milk to eczema ridden area is known to work, too. For flares present on the baby’s cheeks, make sure they are cleaned using a cotton ball after each round of feeding.
If the flares continue or worsen, the doctor may recommend using a steroid cream to be applied on the skin.
2. Cradle Crap
The medical term for this skin condition is termed as ‘seborrhoeic dermatitis’. This is where the skin starts peeling from the armpits, eyebrows, neck and groin, but most prominently from the scalp of the baby.
Cradle cap is a condition that primarily takes place when the fungus or yeast present on the skin starts growing uncontrollably. In other cases, while the baby is inside the mother, various maternal hormones can stimulate this condition and cause it to happen.
When this condition starts manifesting in the form of red coloured patches and scales on the skin, many doctors treat it as an onset of eczema.
How To Treat
In most scenarios, most cradle cap conditions go away by themselves in a couple of months without any treatment or medication. The same can eased by taking care of a few things. When bathing your baby, wash the hair and the scalp properly with a shampoo. Pat it dry and use a light brush to loosen out any skin flakes that might be present.
Olive oil is known to be quite beneficial in this regard. By taking some of it in your hand, and rubbing it on the scalp of the baby, this aids in loosening the dry skin flakes and can be easily removed during a bath. Alternatively, extra virgin coconut oil can be used for the same effect.
Certain mothers recommend applying breastmilk on the baby’s head and then brushing it away with the scalp once it dries.
If the scalp does not go away even after these methods, contact your doctor for a solution.
3. Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis is a skin condition that is usually caused due to genetic problems. These usually result in a lot of itchy and scaly skin, which sheds rapidly. In order to diagnose this condition successfully, doctors may require a sample of skin or even carry out certain blood tests to ascertain the presence of this condition. The medical history of your family might play a vital role in helping the diagnosis.
How To Treat
Unfortunately, ichthyosis hasn’t been able to be cured as of yet. The only action that can be taken is to mitigate the problems and bring some relief from it.
Babies suffering from ichthyosis should bathe only in plain water, with very less amount of mild soaps or cleansers. This has to then be accompanied by repetitive and abundant amounts of soft and bland moisturizers. Any petroleum based products can be extremely useful in this regard.
When in doubt, your doctor should be your first point of contact in combating this situation or before choosing to apply any ointment or cream that you think might provide your baby relief from it.
Managing Newborn Peeling Skin
If your baby’s skin peels a lot, here are some ways to manage it.
1. Making Use of Moisturisers
Whenever skin peeling occurs, it tends to get dry and scaly to form dry skin flakes. Hence, it is important to keep the skin moisturised to prevent any inflammation or irritation. For newborns, it is important to use a moisturiser that is gentle and hypoallergenic. Such moisturisers should be applied twice a day on the baby’s body. While applying the moisturiser, it is beneficial to massage the skin of your baby in a gentle manner. This removes any dry skin and helps the moisture reach the depths. Your doctor will tell you which brand of moisturiser is the best fit for your child.
2. Hydrating The Baby Frequently
Peeling skin takes away a lot of moisture from the body. Keeping the water levels constant in the body is absolutely necessary. The routine that has been established for breastfeeding or formula-based bottle feeding should be followed strictly and any skips should be avoided. This feeding and hydration help rebuild moisture back into the skin.
In case your baby is younger than 6 months, then giving your baby water is not advised. Feeding water at an early age can be harmful to its health. In such a case, sticking to the breastfeeding schedule is your best bet.
3. Keep Baths Short and Warm
Although it is important to maintain moisture in the skin, the bathing times for the baby should be short. Having daily baths is absolutely necessary to get rid of the peeling skin, but keeping your baby wet for a longer time can remove the natural oils that are present in the skin. This can further make the skin drier than usual, adding to the problems.
Keeping a short 5-10 minute bath is good. Make use of warm water and a mild soap without any aromas or fragrance. Use a soft cloth to gently wipe the skin instead of rubbing it. The traditional soaps and bathing gels could irritate the skin further.
4. Make Use of Chemical-Free Products
Be it soaps or even detergents, any chemicals present in lotions or moisturisers can react with the delicate dry skin, and make the newborn face peeling even worse than before. There are certain soaps and detergents available in the market that are baby-friendly. Opt for those since they usually don’t have the typical harsh chemicals.
5. Install A Humidifier
Depending on where you stay, the air around could be dry and may not be right for the baby. Furthermore, constant use of an air-conditioner robs a room of its natural humidity and makes the air dry. This dry atmosphere reduces any absorption of moisture in the baby’s skin and aggravates the peeling. For babies suffering from eczema, this is extremely bad.
By installing a humidifier in the baby’s room, the humidity in the room can return back to a normal value. This allows the skin to absorb moisture from the air and prevent it from being excessively dry.
Seeing your newborn dry skin peeling can be quite scary and the entire condition in itself is quite irritating and disturbing for the baby, too. Although the initial days of the baby are accompanied by the natural peeling process of the skin, anything beyond that or combined with itchy patches could signify serious conditions. Your doctor can help diagnose these quickly and take the necessary treatments ahead. On a general note, maintaining a humid atmosphere and ensure proper skin moisturization and body hydration keeps the skin healthy and brings some much-needed relief from the peeling.
Also Read: Home Remedies and Tips for Baby Skin Care Read more
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Suggested for you
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DIY Grass House
These super-cute grass houses are excellent to teach your kids about living as one with the natural world. Not only will this activity get them interested in gardening and plant care, but the kids will also love the delight of watching something grow, right before their eyes! Best part is – the entire family gets to come together for this one!
What you need
4-5 unused household sponges in different colours
Magic markers
Ruler/scale
A plastic storage container
Kid-friendly scissors
Craft-knife
Grass seeds (pick fast-growing ones to get quick results!)
Water bottle for spraying
Step-by-step instructions
Rinse the sponges with water to make sure they are clean.
Draw the basic outline for your house on the sponges using the ruler and magic marker.
Now, cut out the shapes using the scissors. You can let your child do this with a pair of kid-friendly scissors.
4. Spray your house with a water bottle so that it is damp through but not soaking wet.
5. Now, take a handful of grass and sprinkle it all over the sponges.
6. Add a little extra spray of water to the seeds. After all, seeds need some extra care! You can remove any excess seeds from the lid.
7. Finally, add the bottom of the container to complete your little grass-house!
8. Keep your grass-house in a warm place that gets plenty of light. Make sure you explain to your kids how grass needs warmth and sunlight to grow.
9. Now, all you have to do is wait for the grass to start growing. Check on your grass-house every day, as a family, and you will see the magic commence soon!
Messiness score
3
Level of difficulty
Medium
Parental Involvement
High
Skills enhanced
Fine motor skills, curiosity and interest in the natural world, cause and effect relationship
You Will Observe your Child Doing...
Asking questions about the world around them, practising fine motor skills for drawing lines and for using scissors, learning to come together as a family
All the Fun That Was Had
Children love seeing things grow and change, as if by magic, and when they know they have played a part, nothing could be better! The delight on your kids’ faces when the grass starts growing is something you will always cherish. Read more
Anu Sharma has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 hours ago
Q. hi iam 13th week pregnant my mind is completely in pressure stress and I cried alott does this affect my baby or baby growth
Anu Sharma
Mom of a 1 yr old boy
10 hours ago
A. yes. mood swings are normal
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 8 m old child
11 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts 300 vochure
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. If you have any question concerning the parenting platform then please feel free to post your question once I know what are you willing to ask with all the necessary details associated it will be easier for me to give you appropriate help and response onto your question
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 9 m old child
11 hours ago
Q. My daughter (9months old) is not at all willing to drink aptamil and breast milk I am getting only 100 ml per day now. I have tried adding jaggery powder in aptamil but still she is not at all willing to drink.I tried to feed her with aptamil midnight when she was in deep sleep but still she woke up and started crying. I am not able to find any solution for this.Its been 2 days that I have started trying aptamil.So I will continue to try for another week and if she still doesn't drink can you suggest what can be done
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 8 m old girl
10 hours ago
A. For yourself I would recommend you Shatavari powder three times in the day to increase your lactation other than that since your child is six months complete you can give Amul Taaza milk to your child that is easier for the childhood digest and flavour is also good even if you want you can add some dry fruit powder saffron or turmeric for flavour change that’s also a good option to try these alternative
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 5 m old child
8 hours ago
Q. after delivey back pain is normal???
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
6 hours ago
A. If there is back pain you have to maintain a proper posture take a healthy diet and also do some regular exercise specially back extension exercises to strengthen muscles also you can take calcium and iron supplements suggested by yohur doctor imf still you are having weakness and other symptoms it needs a proper assessment
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
8 hours ago
Q. Its been 7 days my 8 month old hasn’t pooped. He looks good not at all cranky. Eating normally. What to do?
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Sometimes baby does not poop for 7-10 days. Please massage baby stomach clockwise and anti-clockwise. You can also apply hing water on baby stomach. Also do some cycling leg exercises of the baby to relieve from constipation and gas. Please make the baby burp after every feed. Mother should chew saunf and ajwain after every meal.
Thanks and take care
Mohammad amin has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
5 hours ago
Q. how do i claim the vochure
Mohammad amin
Guardian of a 3 yr old boy
51 mins ago
A. proper question plzz
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