There comes a time in every person's life when they seek companionship of a different kind. No, I’m not talking about a lover or any sort of romantic relationship, we’re talking about the binds between an owner and their beloved pet. Yes! You might decide to explore that avenue yourself or your kids or spouse might push you into it, but you’ll inevitably start to wonder what pet to get. What most people don’t realize however is that pets are a lot of work. We’re talking about adoption fees, vet bills, food, toys, grooming, cleanup, and plenty more things that will dig a hole into your pocket. That’s why it’s crucial to assess what pet to get and bring home carefully. That’s what today's article is all about. So let’s give you the best pets suitable for beginners and send you well on your way to smart pet ownership.
Small Snakes
We like a little bit of drama and that’s why our first entry here is a not-so-popular choice. Surprisingly, however, despite the stereotypes, small snakes make for amazing pets, even with kids in the picture. One of the most popular picks globally is the corn snake, a small nonvenomous snake with a lifespan of almost a decade, ensuring that it grows with your child happily. This snake will only grow to about 4 or 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) in length so it will never be a hassle in terms of space. The amazing thing about this breed as well is that it adjusts and gets accustomed to humans very quickly and you will even find it bonding with you by curling into your hands for warmth. Doesn’t that sound just so sweet?
Their maintenance is simple too. All you’ll need is a well-built aquarium, fresh water for your pet to drink, and a heat source since this is a cold-blooded animal. As for their food, that part is also simple enough. They can consume a rodent once a week and you can obtain these at a pet store. Problem solved. Consider this pet for your family, it is quite the catch. Fair warning though, if you decide to get another variety of small snakes, please make absolutely certain it is not a venomous or poisonous breed. We certainly don’t want any accidents.
Guinea Pig
Putting a predator and the prey in sequence seems like a cruel joke but a guinea pig is one of those pets that are just great to have. Observing them in their shelter or playing around with them is quite fun and we know that you will enjoy owning them. These little creatures are not aggressive, love to play hide and seek, and they'll squeak with excitement when you are with them. That screams sweet to us. Unlike other pets on this list they are society animals so they love to live in groups. Consider having one male and two females as two males might be prone to the occasional alpha fight. However, male/female pairs will also be quite “active.” You will be a grandad or granny to a lot of little ones. Many people use guinea pigs as trials for bigger pets in the future but even as a stand-alone entry, guinea pigs are quite amazing little creatures. With a 5-7 year lifespan, you can have a friend for a very long time.
Ant Farm
You’ll be hard-pressed to find something as low-maintenance and as interesting as an ant farm. The beauty of ant farms is that they show you a perspective that is almost always hidden from humans as it happens underground. With a proper ant farm, you can observe the ants in their natural habitat. You can see them burrowing, digging, forming tunnels, and being a colony. That is absolutely stunning. With several varieties of ant farms including farms with nutrient gel instead of sand, sand in between glass, and 3-D setups instead of flat, you are quite spoiled for choice. The upkeep for this show is quite easy as well. All you’ll need is to provide food which mostly consists of other ants and sweet stuff, provide fresh water for them to drink and occasionally remove old food and debris. That’s pretty much all that’s needed to get you your own home show.
Fish
You had to know that fish were going to make an entry on this list, they are a wonderful household pet. What you did not see coming however is that our recommendation is not the conventional goldfish, oh no. We find that they are quite fragile and picky creatures that require more maintenance. Our recommendation actually, is the betta fish. Hear us out. Betta fish are beautiful jewel-toned fish that have long flowing fins that make them quite the sight to behold. They are also happy living in small bowls, with no filters which minimises your set-up expenses. All you’ll need to do though is clean the fish bowl and change the water periodically. You might even consider adding a small aquatic snail so as to keep algae at bay. We strongly advise however that you buy just one betta fish as they have a notorious reputation for fighting to the death when put in pairs. I suppose that’s the one downside to owning these but oh well. Their lifespan is also just a mere 2-3 years so you might have to keep buying these.
Small Bird
The same way you admire them as they soar in the skies is the same way you can admire them as they soar in your yard. Birds make for excellent pets, well, the smaller birds at least. Please stay away from eagles, vultures, and falcons. Consider something like a canary. They don’t require that much attention and in pairs, they can certainly keep each other entertained. Their maintenance is simple too. All they require is regular cage cleaning, fresh food, and water, along with a cage roomy enough for a bit of flying and some toys for amusement. Don’t keep them confined in too tiny a space, please. Do this and you’ll enjoy your pet ownership time with these.