Can we be honest for a moment? As much fun as animals can be, it often takes a lot of time, energy, and money to own a pet. So if you’re a beginner who has never really owned a pet before – or you have a child who is begging you for a pet but has never been responsible for an animal – you have to be very selective.
What to Look for in a Beginner-Friendly Pet
As you look for a beginner-friendly pet that’s easy for your family to manage, there are several considerations to take into account.
- Size. You don’t want a massive pet that will take up a ton of space in your home or on your property. Size typically equates to time. The bigger the pet, the bigger the messes, and the more food required.
- Daily needs. Consider the pet’s daily needs. How many times do they need to be fed? Does the pet need exercise? Human interaction? Medical care? Grooming?
- Cleanliness. Some pets are naturally cleaner than others. If this is your first time owning a pet, or you don’t have much experience being around animals, you probably want one that’s fairly clean and doesn’t command a ton of grooming.
- Costs. Finally, think about the cost. This includes the upfront cost to purchase the pet, as well as the long-term costs of ownership, including potential veterinarian care.
The 5 Top Bets for Beginners
If you can find a pet that’s small, has limited daily care needs, is relatively clean, and doesn’t cost a lot to feed or keep healthy, that’s what we would consider a beginner-friendly pet. Now the question is, which pets fit these descriptors?
1. Turtles
Turtles are super low-key. They’re chill, calm, and extremely collected. Not only that, but they’re very easy to keep. If you’ve got an Eastern Box turtle or African Sideneck turtle, they’ll almost always stay below 12 inches. This means you can easily keep them in a spacious terrarium or tank. Best of all, they don’t even need to be fed on a daily basis. (Fresh, clean water is a requirement, however.)
2. Betta Fish
Fish are a lot of fun to keep. However, depending on the type of fish, they can be a lot of work. A saltwater aquarium, for example, can require thousands of dollars upfront (not to mention hours of your time each week). Even a large freshwater aquarium comes with its distinct needs. But for a simple fish experience that doesn’t require much work, try a Betta fish. They’re colorful, beautiful to watch, and don’t require a large aquarium.
3. Guinea Pigs
The Guinea pig is fun to be around. They’re very social creatures, though they can also be timid in new situations. While happiest when cohabiting in pairs, they also do fine alone. They’re easy to tame, simple to handle, and almost never bite. For best results, you’ll need to provide a little bit of space, fresh fruits and veggies, and supplemental vitamin C.
4. Dogs (Certain Breeds)
Dogs come in a wide variety of breeds. Some are easy to keep and for that reason, they also work well as official emotional support dogs (like Corgis, Chihuahuas, and German Shepherds), while others require more work. Stay away from large or aggressive breeds and opt for something small, docile, and manageable.
Good breeds include King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, American Eskimos, Cocker Spaniels, and Toy Poodles. Just make sure you get a good dog collar and reflective tag so that you can easily walk your dog and identify it (should it run off).
5. Parakeets
Do you like the sound of birds chirping? Parakeets are among the easiest bird species to keep. They’re not quite as talkative as parrots, but they absolutely love human interaction. You can even train them to perform simple commands like stepping off your hand. These birds do require daily feeding, however.
Adding it All Up
There’s a certain level of responsibility that comes with owning a pet. It doesn’t matter if it’s a fish, bird, or puppy – you must be willing to invest some time, money, and energy into the role of being the pet’s owner. But if you go with one from this list, you won’t have to invest nearly as much of these resources as you would with other more intensive pets. Good luck!
Keep being AllDayChic!
