Best Starter Pets
Are you thinking about finally getting a pet for your family this year? If you are, then you’re about to join millions of pet owners around the US as a recent survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association revealed that 85 million families own a pet. While a majority of households prefer dogs and cats, there are other pet varieties that may work as your starter pet. But how do you pick the one that’s best for you and your kids?
Things to consider before picking your first pet
There are several factors that you should consider before becoming a pet owner. First, how much time do you have to care for a pet? If you don’t have a lot of time to look after a pet, then you should pick one that’s low maintenance. Second, are you financially ready to have a pet? It takes more than feeding and cleaning to keep a pet healthy and happy. There will be vet bills, pet supplies, medication, and even pet insurance to consider, so you’ll need to have the funds to cover all of these bills.
You’ll also have to determine whether your living space can accommodate a pet and if there are members of your household who are allergic to certain types of pets. Once you’ve considered all of these things, you can now pick your starter pet. Here are the 5 best starter pets for your family.
Cats
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A poll indicates that most Americans prefer to own cats and there are approximately 85.8 million cats owned in the country. Cats make perfect starter pets because they love to be cuddled and held, and children often like to hold their pets close to them. Most cats are also litterbox trained, so you don’t have to take them out for walks as they prefer to do their business in a clean box. They’re also quite low maintenance as they won’t demand your attention all the time.
Dogs
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It has been said that 78 million dogs are owned in the US. Dogs are high maintenance pets, so you’ll need to have a lot of time to feed them, groom them, and take them for walks. However, they’re loyal, intelligent, and very affectionate, and some dog breeds are great for households with children. Among these are Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, and Labrador Retrievers.
Goldfish
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A goldfish is a great starter pet as it can live for years in plain water even without a heater or a filter. However, you and your kids have to commit to feeding it regularly, keeping the fish bowl clean, and regularly changing the water to ensure that your pet stays healthy.
Hamster
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A hamster is a perfect starter pet for families who don’t have a lot of room in their house for a larger pet. It’s harmless and it sleeps during the day, so it’s fairly low maintenance compared to other pets. Get a hamster wheel or a hamster ball so your pet can have some exercise, and make sure that you clean its cage regularly to prevent foul odors.
Turtle
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A pet turtle can live anywhere from 60 to 100 years, which makes it a great starter pet for the family. It’s a great pet for busy people as it won’t suffer if you don’t give it lots of attention all the time. However, you’ll need to provide your pet turtle with more than just a glass tank—it needs floating logs, rocks, sand, plants, and a basking dock in its tank. The tank also needs to be kept in a sunlit area, and your turtle will need food such as crickets and worms. Make sure to buy your turtle from a reputable source or consider adopting one.
Consider any of these 5 pets for your family’s starter pet. Whichever you choose to welcome into your home, make sure to give it the love and care that it needs to live a long and happy life.