13 Best pets to have at home or in an apartment

best pets to have

This writing is for those who are searching for animals for pets. Check out all of the best pets to have at home or in an apartment to find your best one!

Top 13 Best Pets To Have At Home Or In An Apartment

1. Hedgehogs

hedgehogs

A hedgehog is not related to porcupines or not a rodent, they are in a sub-family known as insectivore. Hedgehogs are not social. Thus, making a hedgehog seems to be not a subject to the separation anxiety, but this pet is fitting for those who travel.

Hedgehogs are also suitable for younger people who don’t plan on spending their next 20 or 30 years with the pet as hedgehog’s lifespan is about 5 to 7 years. Hedgehogs have a simplistic diet including insects and fruits. Hedgehogs can be temperamental but they can tame down with the right habituation. Hedgehogs also are great pets for children because it is easy for children to take care of this small pet. Just make sure to prepare a clean place with the frequent defecation for hedgehogs.

2. Chipmunks

chipmunks

Chipmunks, active squirrel species, will require a space relative to their size. A tall bird flight cage is ideal, and they need extensive enrichment, which encourages forging. Though chipmunks are not the best pets for handling, it is said that they are more interesting than other exotic pets.

3. Spiny Mice

Spiny mice are small little pets that are not the domesticated specie and commonly sold in stores. To care for these pets, you need to make them an omnivorous diet, glass aquarium, and a special exercise wheel.

Besides, patagonian cavies are also lovely pets, yet they are bigger than spiny mice and they are suited as outdoor pets. Raise this kind of pet if you have a farm-type home or a large garden with grasses.

In fact, there are different species of exotic rodent species, yet some are not easy to acquire at your living place such as jerboas and Gambian pouched rats. Therefore, consider your space, your time you have and search for characteristics of species before deciding to pet them.

4. Hamsters

hamsters

Hamsters are also called pocket pets due to their small size. They are cute and oh-so-friendly pets. Historically, people have started raising hamsters as pets since 1930s, and they are actually easy-to-care pets that have grown in popularity until today. Common hamster breeds include golden hamsters or Syrian hamsters, which can reach 7 inches in length while Roborovski dwarf hamsters, are only 2 inches in length.

Hamsters’ life span is about 2 or 3 years. They are favorite pets for children from 8 and older. However, hamsters are often nocturnal that is unlike young kids.

To feed hamsters, you just need to provide them with fresh water, commercial pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables and cheese.

About housing & exercise, you should build wire hamster cages with solid bottoms; hamster tubes, wheels and other toys. Shredded tissue and paper can give hamster good bedding. Most hamsters do not like living alone. However, they tend to become aggressive in same sex pairs.

Notice that if you adopt 2 hamsters of the opposite sex, you may have baby hamsters soon because a hamster pregnancy takes about only 2 weeks – from start to finish.

5. Potbelly Pigs

potbelly pigs

When discussing about best pets to have, forget the thought about pigs being dumb, stupid and dirty. Potbelly pigs are cute, easy to train, intelligent, affectionate, playful, curious, clean, non-allergenic and odor-free. Their quirky personalities and intelligence make them an interesting addition to the family. Nevertheless, their curiosity may lead potbelly pigs into mischief and they can be destructive. Be sure that you do a research on raising this pet before deciding to buy one.

6. Geckos

geckos

Geckos are interesting pets as they can change their color skin instantly in certain conditions. Geckos naturally shy and often shy, but if you are patient, you can earn their trust. Normally, a gecko can live up to 20 years. They eat crickets, worms and drink fresh water. Geckos are the best choice for children from 10 and older.

About housing & exercise, set up heated terrariums from 750F to 850F or 240C to 290C during the day and only keep the temperature cooler at night. Minimal exercises with piece of wood and rock can be applied.

7. Rabbits

rabbits

Rabbits are cute pets for children from 8 and older. They can come when you called. In addition, they are also good household pets. There are over 60 breeds of rabbits around the world, choose from various aspects such as characteristics, colors, sizes, weights and ear lengths.

On average, rabbits can live 5 to 10 years. Their foods include fresh vegetables, commercial pellets and fresh water.

About housing & exercise, rabbits only need indoor cages with a solid base, plus lots of exercise such as made enclosures for hopping. Some rabbits are trained to do exercise outdoor with a leash and collar.

More: Benefits Of Having A Pet

8. Parrots

parrots

Next to the top best pets to have, parrots are the most lively, playful and colorful pets. There are over 350 different kinds of parrots ranging in different color from green to vibrant red, stately black and gray, with different sizes from small about 3 inches (appropriately 8 centimeters) to quite large from 40 inches (appropriately 100 centimeters). When given exercise, living space, bath and positive attention, parrots become extremely intelligent pets and they are very affectionate toward their trainers or owners. In fact, parrots have no canny ability to mimic other sounds and human voice, but when they are trained, they can develop the ability of imitation such as imitating dog’s barking, cat’s mewing or even cell phone’s ring.

Parrots are also best friends as if you raise this kind of bird; you can stay with your pet up to 80 years. Any one can keep parrots for pets like teenagers and adults.

Parrots eat commercial seed mixes, fresh fruits and vegetables and drink fresh water. Especially, parrots require hygienic environment, so they like having bath both sun bath and water bath.

About housing & exercise, you need to build large cages for parrots to fly in short distances. Moreover, do not forget to cleanse their cages and change new water daily.

9. Ferrets

Ferrets

Playful, curious, covered in fur are interesting characteristics of ferrets. But this pet is low maintenance, they just like to roam and explore. So, this also makes ferrets tricky. If you raise a ferret, it may be temperamental toward your visitors, and make them proffer a nip – if mishandled.

On average, ferrets have a life span of 5 to 8 years. Ferrets are great choices for children at 12 and older. This pet eats commercial ferret pellets, cat food, and drink fresh water.

Although you want to build you pet a wire cage with a solid floor, they prefer to run into your house, instead of caged confinement. And if you raise ferrets, you can see when given the freedom, ferrets will investigate every cranny and nook.

10. Betta Fish

best pets to have - betta fish

Betta fish are colorful pets. Viewing the pets after hard working or learning time can make us feel relaxed so much. All you need is to prepare a manageable tank. Choose healthy and multi-color betta fish in orange, red, green and violet shades. Aside from betta fish’s big visual impression, they look quite small, just a couple of inches in length.

On average, betta fish live about 3 years. Any one loving fish like pets can raise betta fish. Feed your pets with commercial foods for betta fish.

Notice that betta fish are easy to be attacked by bacteria and harmful disease, so cleanse the aquarium, filter water or change warm, clean fresh water often. The best temperature for betta fish is about 780F to 800F (appropriately 250C to 260C) as this type of fish are originated in tropical waters of Southeast Asian countries.

Read more: Easy DIY Aquaponics System

11. Box Turtles

best pets to have - box turtles

It’s cool to own a small and slow pet that can’t outrun you – box turtles. They are happy to set up a camp in your room and they are always happy for an adoring audience. In different types of turtles and reptiles, box turtles are a common choice for pet lovers as they have winsome good looks and colorfully patterned shells, but they are also picky eaters. As true friends, box turtles can live with you for move than 40 years. They are great choice of pets for children at 8 and older. Box turtles’ foods are mainly insects, earthworms, vegetables, fruits and commercial pellets.

About housing & exercise, box turtles require an aquarium or terrarium that’s roomy enough with rocks to perch upon. In dry areas, they can burrow as well as shallow water for rehydrating. In fact, box turtles don’t need much exercise.

12. Cats

cats

Kittens and puppies are child favorites. However, notoriously independent, all cats require less attention and care than dogs, yet no less commitment. However, like dogs, cats need regular immunizations and veterinary checkups. Some people think that cat is a better choice than dog with limited living space and the best cat breeds for pets include Abyssinian (friendly & sociable), Burmese (affectionate & gentle), Birman (deemed easygoing) and American Shorthair (getting along with dogs).

13. Dogs

About dogs, some dog breeds may be unsuitable for pets and they need more dog training, exercise and veterinary checkups. But all dogs are individuals, so choose some friendly, cute and intelligent dog breeds such as Labradors, Pugs, Golden Retrievers, Australian Cattle Dogs and Cocker Spaniels.

dogs

Recommended: Healthy Foods For Dogs

When it comes to the top best pets to have at home or in an apartment, these 13 pets revealed in this article are based on the most popular choice for pets. Depend on your favorite hobbies, opt for a pet that make you happy with.

For more writings and tips to care for pets, please go to Lifestyle in Vkool site to read. If you have any feedback about the article, show it here, at the bottom of the post.

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