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Let’s be honest: dogs and cats are now too mainstream. Maybe neither matches your description of an ideal companion, or you probably yearn to express your individuality unconventionally. Either way, there’s a solution to your dilemma: several small pets make excellent alternatives to a furry friend.
We’ll introduce you to little, low-maintenance pets that’ll resonate with your personality and fit well into your busy lifestyle. We’ll also highlight what makes each of these tiny creatures good pets and show you how to care for yours.
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Table of Contents Show
Understanding Small Pets
These pets make great companions, but understanding them is the first step to ensuring a harmonious relationship.
Size
They’re usually smaller than dogs or cats. They don’t take up much space and are relatively easy to care for and handle.
Depending on your pet, you may need a large cage to accommodate their activity level and natural habitat. To ensure they lead a healthy life, you must provide some small animals, like fish and reptiles, with suitable living conditions.
Many don’t live as long as dogs and cats. The exceptions are turtles, parrots, and some rodents.
Cost
Unless they’re exotic (reptiles and amphibians), small animals are usually cheaper to buy and maintain than dogs or cats. They require less food, grooming, toys, and veterinary care. Their food is generally cheaper than cat and dog food, and what you’d feed them is usually readily available at home: fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional proteins.
Sometimes, your pet may have special dietary, environmental, or veterinary needs that can increase the cost of ownership. While most pet stores can be helpful in this aspect, finding a suitable veterinarian can be challenging. But pet insurance is usually much cheaper for these little critters.
Personality
Small animals also have varied personalities. Rabbits and rats are social animals; they need daily handling and interaction to stay healthy and happy.
Hamsters and gerbils are more independent and shy; they mostly prefer you leave them alone while ensuring their environment is stimulating and fun. But don’t neglect socializing them.
Ferrets and chinchillas are more playful and active; these little guys hate staying still and are prone to stress and boredom from inactivity. Guinea pigs are more laid-back. Hedgehogs are quieter but more active and need a lot of exercise at night.
Trainability is also a factor you must consider. Rats and mice are seriously intelligent! You can teach them many tricks to impress your family members. More exotic pets, like lizards and snakes, are more instinctual and curious, thus harder to train.
Top 5 Small Pets for Busy Individuals
Choosing the right pet for your lifestyle can make your experience of owning a pet unforgettable. Below, we’ll introduce you to great pets to help you find which will suit you best.
1. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are easily tamed and affectionate. They can bond well with their owners, even squealing in excitement when they see them. They’re happiest living with other guinea pigs, especially if they have a same-sex buddy. But it is recommended to neuter males to prevent fights.
They love attention from their owners and other guinea pigs and are happy as long as they have enough floor space and toys. Make your cage, though, as most cages marketed for guinea pigs are too small.
Guinea pigs eat vegetables and hay. They need a diet that provides enough vitamin C (they can’t make their own) and roughage. Buying a brand of nutrient-rich pellets to keep yours healthy is a good idea. You should also groom them and trim their nails regularly.
2. Fish
Getting a pet fish may be for you if you enjoy watching fish swim and interact in an aquarium or don’t have the time or space for other common pets. There are many types of fish. For beginners, we recommend freshwater and cold-water fish.
Cold-water fish are generally easier to care for and include goldfish. Freshwater fish species are innumerable and diverse and come in many colors, but caring for them can be harder depending on the species.
Handling fish is difficult due to the care they need to thrive. You need a suitable aquarium with clean water and appropriate temperature, pH level, hardness, filtration, lighting, and decoration. Some species are easier to care for than others, so research before buying one.
We recommend starting with beginner-friendly species such as guppies.
3. Birds
Birds are intelligent, fun, social, and affectionate animals. They bond well with their owners. Some can even mimic speech or sing.
Birds can be easier to care for than dogs or cats, but there’s a catch: getting a spacious and secure cage for your bird is a first, but they also need a nutritious diet, out-of-cage time, and other enrichment elements to keep them happy and stimulated.
As for feeding, ensure your feathered buddy has access to seeds, pellets, fruits, and vegetables. Also, when picking a breed, consider their noise level, grooming needs, trainability, and personality; some species can be harder to handle for beginners.
Cockatiels and finches are popular options among starters. Finches are more independent, while cockatiels are more social and interactive.
4. Rabbits
Rabbits are cute, cuddly, and very affectionate towards their owners. Their high intelligence and curiosity make them fun and easy to care for; you can train a rabbit to do tricks and use a litter box.
Your rabbit will need a spacious and secure cage and several enrichment items to stay happy and healthy. They’re prone to boredom and hate having nothing to do.
Rabbits need a varied and nutritious diet. Their diet consists of hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets. Depending on the breed, they also have different personalities and care requirements.
Holland Lops and Netherland Dwarfs are beginner-friendly breeds. But the former have long ears that require regular cleaning, while the latter’s large eyes are prone to injuries and irritations.
5. Lizards
Lizards can make fascinating and rewarding pets but require much care and commitment. Providing yours with suitable habitat (controlled temperature, humidity, substrate, furnishing, etc.) is a first.
Some breeds can also be more demanding equipment- and diet-wise, which can cost you more. Mind that lizards can be carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores.
Lizards have different personalities and temperaments and can be docile and friendly to their owners. However, they can carry salmonella and other diseases dangerous to humans. So, keep them away from immunocompromised individuals, children, and pregnant women, and wash your hands before and after handling them.
Leopard geckos and bearded dragons are great for beginners.
Caring for Small Pets
When it comes to these pets, pet care is a different story. That’s due to the differences in their fragility and needs.
Rodents and rabbits can be more prone to injury, so handle them carefully. Lizards and snakes are more hardy and resilient, though.
Small rodents and rabbits need a cage with sufficient space, bedding, access to water and food, and exercise equipment. Lizards and snakes have specific living conditions, so you must control the humidity and temperature within their vivarium to keep them healthy and comfortable. As for fish, cleaning their tank regularly and monitoring water quality is necessary.
Some are low-maintenance. They can self-clean and require minimal grooming. For others, proper care entails regular cleaning and grooming.
Myths About Small Pets
These common myths are untrue, so please mind them to keep your pet healthy and happy.
Small Pets Are Low Maintenance
Not always. Caring for them can be challenging. While they require less space and grooming than larger animals, they need suitable living conditions and regular feeding, social interaction, and veterinary care.
Small Pets Can Live in Small Cages
No, they can’t; small animals are just like us. They need enough space to move, exercise, and explore. Keeping them in cramped cages will cause them psychological and physical problems.
Small Pets Are Ideal for Children
Not necessarily. It depends on their breed and personality and your child’s age, maturity level, and ability to care for the pet. So, proper research and adult supervision are a must.
Health Considerations
Some small pets are predisposed to health problems and may require more care than others. For example, ferrets’ short and fast digestive system makes it difficult for them to digest carbohydrates and fiber well. They’re more prone to gastrointestinal issues, too. So, be sure to check with a veterinarian.
They’re also prone to infections, parasites, injuries, and dental problems. The latter is common among many small animals, and you must regularly check your pet’s dental health.
Your house itself may pose a danger to your small pet. They can be harmed by various normal household conditions, just as high temperatures, toxins, or household items. Hamsters are infamous for getting lost and winding up dead, so ensure you keep yours in a secure and locked habitat!
You should consider proofing your home if you plan on letting your small pet out of their cage. Finally, remember that these pets can carry germs (Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Leptospira) dangerous to pregnant women, the elderly, and children. Take proper hygiene practices before handling them.
Enrichment for Small Pets
Pet enrichment refers to providing your small pet with activities, toys, and stimuli to help them express their natural behaviors, combat stress and boredom, and enhance their physical and mental well-being.
For example, you can give your birds perches and branches, your rabbit a digging pit, your hamster a wheel, and so on. You should also play with them often and teach them tricks to build a loving bond.
Ensure you handle your pet safely and gently while playing with them, as most are fragile. When it comes to enrichment, creativity is your only limit.
Conclusion
Small pets are an excellent alternative to dogs and cats, and they can be just as loving and fun to have in your household. Your options are unlimited, considering the number of easily-tamed, human-friendly species and breed you can choose from.
Guinea pigs and rabbits are excellent for beginners. But if you’re looking for something different, lizards may be for you!