What is the best pet for beginners?
Daniel Santos
Updated on February 21, 2026
McLeod's top seven list, fish can be a wonderful first pet for some children, especially the very young or those who are content with looking at, rather than touching, a pet.
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Cage pets for kids
- Guinea Pigs. Guinea pigs are social creatures, yet timid. ...
- Rats. ...
- Hamsters. ...
- Gerbils. ...
- Mice. ...
- Leopard Geckos. ...
- Madagascar Hissing Cockroach.
What is the easiest pet to take care of?
Here are our top 7 best low maintenance pets.
- Birds.
- Snakes. ...
- Sea Monkeys. ...
- Guinea pigs. ...
- Goldfish. Ahh, the goldfish. ...
- Cats. If you claim that you are not a “cat person”, have you ever tried owning a cat? ...
- Hamsters. Taking care of a hamster is easy once they have the proper cage. ...
What is the best pet to start with?
Contents
- Hermit Crabs.
- Small Lizard.
- Small Bird.
- Gerbil, Hamster or Mouse.
- Guinea Pig.
- Rat.
- Betta Fish.
- An Older Dog or Cat.
What is a good pet for a 12 year old?
According to Dr. Lianne McLeod, the veterinary guide for exotic pets at about.com, top seven are: guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, gerbils, mice, lepard geckos, and Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. Other animal-care professionals promote birds or fish as ideal first pets for children.Can a 12 year old take care of a dog?
At age 10 and 11, depending upon the child, they can likely walk their dog solo. This is the age most kids can groom their pet, play with them, and the older of this age range can help pick up poop! Sure it's gross but it's part of pet care for kids!Top 5 Small Pets For Beginners
What is the cleanest pet?
Want A Pet and A Clean Home? We Rate the Cleanest Pets
- Budgies. Budgies are a great pet option as they are very easy to look after. ...
- Hamsters. The benefit of having a hamster is that they are incredibly easy to look after. ...
- Guinea pigs. ...
- Cats. ...
- Dogs.
What is a good pet for a teenager?
The 9 best pets for kids — and how to choose one
- Dog. No two dogs are the same, so take your time and find a good match. ...
- Cat. As any cat lady will tell you, cats are independent creatures. ...
- Rabbit. ...
- Guinea pig. ...
- Turtle. ...
- Bird. ...
- Lizard. ...
- Hamster.
What is the least smelly small pet?
The 7 Pets That Don't Smell
- Chinchillas.
- Fancy Rats.
- Parakeets.
- Basenjis.
- Geckos.
- Rabbits.
- Snakes.
- Keep them and their enclosures clean.
What is the best animal to cuddle with?
8 Small Pets That Are Soft, Affectionate, and Perfect For Cuddling
- Hamsters. Hamsters are naturally playful, but they're also extremely affectionate and love attention. ...
- Ferrets. ...
- Guinea Pigs. ...
- Lovebirds. ...
- Hedgehogs. ...
- Sugar Gliders. ...
- Chinchillas. ...
- Rabbits.
What pets are good for anxiety?
Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health.Do hamsters stink up your room?
Odor is a primary concern when keeping your hamster's habitat in your bedroom, or anywhere for that matter. If you don't clean out the cage regularly, the smells that accumulate will make your bedroom smell unpleasant, not to mention letting cleanup lapse is inhumane for your pet.Can a 13 year old own a dog?
Buying a petPet ownership often starts with buying your pet, and by law you must be at least 16 years old to buy an animal. Adults are legally responsible for the welfare of their children's pets.
Should I get my 12 year old a dog?
“If you are thinking of getting your child a pet, the best time is that tween time, around 11-years old,” says Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, a Denver-based therapist specializing in anxiety and stress and author of Mommy Burnout. “The younger you get the pet before the massive challenges of being a tween, the better.”What is the easiest and cheapest pet?
- Guinea Pigs. If you're looking for something cuddly that's easier on the wallet than a puppy, you may want to consider a guinea pig. ...
- Hermit Crabs. ...
- Sea Monkeys. ...
- Dwarf Frogs. ...
- Goldfish. ...
- Leopard Geckos. ...
- Ants. ...
- Canaries.
How do I choose a pet?
10 Questions to Ask Yourself to Help Choose the Perfect Pet
- #1: What species is my favorite type of pet? ...
- #2: How much time can I commit to a pet? ...
- #3: How active a pet would I like? ...
- #4: Can I afford the care my desired pet will require? ...
- #6: Would I prefer a young or older pet? ...
- #7: Who will care for a pet in my family?
What pet does not need much care?
She recommends trying out hamsters if you're seeking a low-maintenance, cuddly pet. “There's a reason they are a common classroom pet; they love interacting with people and require minimal care. They are also really cute, soft, and quiet,” Bonk says. Similarly, she also recommends gerbils, rats, and mice.What's the dirtiest animal on earth?
Explicit list
- Pig.
- Raven.
- Snail.
- Stork.
- Swine.
- Tortoise.
- Vulture.
- Weasel.