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AlaskaParent.com spring 2024 alaska parent 19The pet’s sleep cycle The same is true of pets’ sleep cycle. Sometimes, people forget that not all pets are awake during the day and sleep at night. Saleema reminds parents that many small pets are nocturnal and may asleep during the day when your kids want to play with them and are up at night (making a lot of noise) when everyone in your household is trying to get some much-needed sleep. Pets that are nocturnal versus diurnal: If you don’t mind having a nocturnal pet, gerbils are a great choice. They’re cute and highly sociable but be aware that they’re often active at night and can be noisy. Guinea pigs, on the other hand, are up during the day and sleep during the night. The risk of disease Pets carry different risks of disease which is yet another factor to consider when selecting a pet for your kids. For example, Saleema says, amphibians and reptiles carry the Salmonella bacteria in their gut which can infect humans if you don’t maintain a high level of hygiene. Similarly, cats and dogs can spread diseases like worms. “Proper preventive measures significantly reduce these risks,” Saleema says, “but they’re something to be aware of when researching pets.” Pets with low versus high risks of disease: Frogs are a great choice for kids who are into reptiles but be aware that they do carry the Salmonella bacteria and can infect humans. If you’re afraid of catching disease from your pet, any kind of aquarium fish would be a good choice. The amount of space needed Finally, consider how much space you have or are willing to make available for your kids’ pet in your home. “Assess how much space the pet requires,” says Saleema, “and whether your home can accommodate it.” Pets that require little versus lots of space: Birds like parakeets and finches require very little space and are happy in small cages. If, on the other hand, you have lots of space, perhaps even some outdoor space, chickens make for fun pets. They’re full of personality and can even be trained to come when you call them. And, as Kate Loweth of Tiny Beans, a major parenting site, puts it: “What better way to teach kids where their eggs come from than having a henhouse in the backyard?” Tips & ResourcesWhen researching the right pet for you, talk to friends and family who own pets that you are interested in, your veterinarian or your local animal shelter. Visit veterinarypartner.com for great information on pet health, behavior, diseases and much more.Interested in adopting a pet? Check out the local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Or visit petfinder.com and24petconnect.com where you can search foradoptable pets by zip code.