Not a cat person? Dogs aren’t your favorite animals either? What do you do when you want a pet for your home but can’t go with the classical options? Worry not, we’re here to help. This is a list of eight of the most popular small pets in the world, one of which you’re bound to fall in love with. Whether you want a companion that demands constant attention, or one that prefers to be left to its own devices, we have them all:
1. First up on our list is the ever-present Guinea Pig. With a lifespan of 5 to 10 years, the guinea pig is an excellent ‘start pet’: children are often given one to care for in order to teach then responsibility, and you shouldn’t be afraid to start with one either to learn the ropes. Neither from Guinea, nor members of the pig family, Guinea Pigs are nonetheless more than cute to make our list.
2. Much shorter lived than Guinea Pigs, Hamsters are, however, smaller, friendlier, and much more playful. These pets are full of energy, loving a cage with tubes, toys, and the obligatory hamster wheel – just be careful if you decide to adopt a couple; hamsters breed once every 2 weeks.
3. Another fluffy and cute companion on our list is the Rabbit. They require lots of exercise, but also show surprising discipline and loyalty. If trained correctly, a rabbit will come when called and can be walked on a leash – surprising, we know. Excellent for older children, this companion can live up to 10 years, enough to see your child graduate from college.
4. Fish are usually quite a hassle to keep – certainly not something for beginners. But this one in particular is very easy to manage: the Betta Fish (or Siamese fighting fish as it is more commonly known) is a very low-maintenance pet, requiring little more than a bowl of warm water and regular feeding.
5. A step up the evolution ladder from our previous entry, the Box Turtle is one pet that will never run away from home. Colorful and good looking, these turtles will happily live their 40+ years in a moderately-sized terrarium with little maintenance required.
6. Yet another fluffy, furry creature on our list: the Chinchilla is a tiny rodent whose fur is so soft that all you will ever want to do is hold it and pet it. Resembling miniature kangaroos, the Chinchilla is full of personality – and will keep you happy for as much as 20 years.
7. Curious, clean, and surprisingly caring, Ferrets deserve a spot on our list for their huge personalities. Not easy to take care of, ferrets require plenty of room to explore and roam – be prepared to leave them wandering around the house for hours.
8. Parrots are next up, for obvious reasons: beautifully colored, quite smart, and extremely long-lived, these pets are great household companions. Depending on the type of parrot you wish for (there are over 350), you could end up with anything from a tiny ball of colour to a giant and majestic creature. Just be prepared for the noise.
Which one of these would you like to have?
