Every child needs a pet indeed, but this must be a pet the child cannot hurt. My six-year-old niece recently killed a guinea pig and I had to assist with the autopsy, so I know what I'm saying. Many parents have no idea how much a single drop can mess up a little pet, but having seen the guinea pig's spleen that had completely turned black because of the hit, abdominal cavity full of blood and leg broken in three places, I will never let my children have an animal that's smaller than 10 pounds.