Why Birds Make A Great 1st Pet

It is almost inevitable that kids will eventually ask for a pet. Usually, they ask for a dog or a cat. The issue is that dogs and cats require a lot of maintenance, and kids are often not ready for that level of commitment. An excellent pet for a child to start out learning how to take care of is a bird. Let’s take a look as to why a bird is the ideal first pet, and what kinds of birds are great for children.

Low Maintenance
Birds are very low maintenance. A dog requires walks and being let out. Dogs and cats both require pet sitters or being boarded if you take a short trip. On the other hand, birds are easy to care for. They need clean water and food daily but could be left for a couple of days if needed. Also, if you want someone to watch them, you can simply carry their cage to that person’s house. Cleaning up after a bird is also simple. No poop scooping in the backyard, or scooping clumps out of a littler box. Simply use a layer of newspaper on the bottom of the cage, toss it every few days, and replace it with a new layer.

No Grooming Needed 
Dogs require brushing, and sometimes haircuts. They also need baths. Cats with longer hair need brushing as well. Birds require no grooming. They clean themselves, and since they have feathers instead of fur do not need to be brushed.

Birds Are Inexpensive
Birds are very inexpensive to keep. There is a small upfront investment when purchasing a cage, perches, food and water dishes, and some toys for the cage. After that, the cost is minimal. They require bird food, which is much less expensive than cat or dog food. They also can eat green vegetables and some fruits if you want to vary their diet.

Birds Don’t Need Much Space
Since birds can be kept in a cage, they need very little space. Cages can be taller versus wider, so they take up smaller room footprints. Of course, you can let the bird out to fly around the house some if you are comfortable with that.

Birds Are Social and Very Friendly
Birds are naturally curious and very smart. They like to socialize, which will thrill your child. They also are friendly. They like to dance to music, and some breeds can even learn to talk.

What Kind of Bird is Good for a First Pet
Finches and Canaries are good choices. They require minimal interaction and make beautiful music as they tweet at each other. Parakeets are another popular choice. They are colorful, and do not mind being handled. Getting a baby and handfeeding it will make it a friend for life. Cockatiels are another good choice, especially if the child is older. They do require a lot of interaction, but they also can learn to talk and whistle.

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa- I work with Top10.Today, a shopping comparison site, where we strive to help consumers find the best quality and priced products.