Fish

A classic pet to get your children used to the responsibility of owning an animal, parents have been buying fish for many years now. Fish take little maintenance apart from their daily feeds and cleaning of the tank so they are definitely a safer option when it comes to buying your child their first pet. Your local pet shop is likely to sell a whole range of different fish, depending on how many you buy will depend on the size of the tank and the other equipment you will need. Something to remember is that you will require the right size aquarium filter to ensure the filtration system is able to effectively filter the aquarium, according to how many and what type of fish you choose to buy. Fish are particularly great starter pets as they teach children the responsibility of having a pet, and a fish can be a great compromise in comparison to the other pets they may want.

Lizard

If you think a fish may be too basic for your children, a step up in terms of responsibility would be a lizard or gecko. Leopard geckos in particular would make a great starter pet as they only require a small-sized tank, and little maintenance or attention. The only thing that really requires observation is the maintenance of a warm temperature within your lizard’s enclosure, as lizards tend to be from warmer areas of the world it is important their tank is at a regulated temperature, if you feel that your children are ready for the responsibility of owning a lizard of some kind, it is definitely something that should be thoroughly researched before going ahead with a purchase.

Hamster

Another great option for a starter pet would have to be a hamster, as hamsters are kept in a contained hamster cage, they are perfect for starter pets as they can be constantly observed. Hamsters are an affordable alternative to the larger pets your children may want, as well as teaching valuable lessons about the responsibility of owning a pet hamster are relatively easy animals to look after. For a starter pet, you want something that doesn’t require daily activities such as walking, if you are a busy family it can be hard to find the time to look after a larger animal like a dog. It isn’t fair to bring an animal like that into a home where its needs are not properly met, hamsters are a great alternative as they only require regular feeding and cleaning, which can be done around work or school schedule.

Cat

A cat may not be the first pet you think of when it comes to buying your children their first animal, however, cats are actually pretty low maintenance animals as they tend to look after themselves, aside from the daily feed, ensuring fresh water is available and changing the litter tray if you choose to let your cat outside it is likely you won’t see them until they return for something to eat, or to sleep. Giving your children the responsibility of ensuring the cat has everything they need on a daily basis can prove to be a very valuable lesson in what it takes to own an animal. Something to consider before getting a cat is deciding on where to get it from, as a potential pet owner you should be aware of the illegal breeding of pets that goes on, so you should either make sure that you find a reputable breeder or consider adopting a cat from a licensed charity such as the Blue Cross.