Every day, the number of people who choose to live in apartments increases, especially in large and medium-sized cities. Among other consequences for everyday life, this means that more and more people are interested in knowing which are the best animals to have at home After all, it is difficult resist the idea of having a partner who brings joy to your home, right? However, it is important to consider several aspects before adopting a pet to keep at home to provide a happy and he althy life. There is no doubt that the space and time required by each species are key factors when choosing the most suitable pet for your lifestyle.
If you live in or are about to move into an apartment and want to adopt a pet, keep reading this new article on our site to discover the best animals to have at home and some tips for choosing the right pet for your home.
How to choose a pet
Small animals are often better suited for apartment living, as they are easier to care for and adapt more easily to a small environment. However, there are other factors that you should also take into account when choosing the best animals for your home.
For example, what kind of pet are you looking for? A friend of unconditional loy alty or a more independent companion? Think about your personality and the type of animal that suits you best. How much interaction do you plan to have with your pet? Are you looking for a friend that can walk, play every day or do you prefer a calmer animal that requires less time and effort? Remember that some pets, like fish, may not interact as directly or be as communicative as others due to inherent species limitations.
Also, remember to consider the approximate life expectancy of each species. There are many long-lived pets, such as turtles, dogs, cats, and chinchillas. However, some pets have a much less privileged longevity, such as hamsters, which generally live only 2 to 4 years.
What to consider when choosing a pet
You must take into consideration aspects such as the following:
- Looking for a loving or independent animal?
- Do you want a common animal or an exotic one?
- Do you need a hypoallergenic animal?
- How much time do you have to spend with your pet?
- In your daily life will you be able to attend to all your pet's needs?
- Do you have enough money to support your pet?
Pets to have at home: the 15 best
To help you in this selection process, we will make a short list of the best animals to have at home, that is, those that they can easily adapt to living in confined spaces. Take a look at our selection of 15 animals to have at home:
- Dog
- Cat
- Rabbit
- Hamster
- Tortoise
- Ferret
- Guinea Pig
- Chinchilla
- Bearded dragon
- Birds
- Mini Pig
- Fishes
Keep reading to learn more about each of them!
Animals to keep at home: dog
In addition to being high on the list of affectionate pets, dogs can also be great pets to have around the house. You just need to choose a suitable puppy for the available space in your home and educate him properly to teach him to respect the rules of the house. There are dogs of all sizes and personalities waiting to be adopted and have the opportunity to receive the love of a family. For example, if your apartment is small, it would be best to have a medium or small dog
We also recommend that you teach your dog how to relieve himself outside the house and to walk properly on the floor, as this makes it easier (and much easier!) to keep his house clean and will allow you to enjoy walks with your dog, which are essential to give your best furry friend a good exercise routine
If you don't know which dog to choose, take a look at this other article on our site about the best 20 breeds of dogs to have in an apartment.
Pets to keep at home: cat
Cats are one of the best pets to keep in the home thanks to their more independent nature and ease of adaptation in small environments. And because every cat has a personality of their own, you can adopt a kitty that suits your lifestyle and raise him to respect your household rules.
But remember that, despite their more independent nature, cats also need basic care to live a he althy life, so like the love and dedication of their owners. Here on our site, we give you some Tips for the first days of a cat at home.
Animals to keep at home: hamster
Hamsters (or Cricetinae) are also one of the best pets for children both for their small size and for simple carethat they require on a daily basis. However, it will be essential to prepare and enrich your hamster's cage, as well as maintain optimal hygiene in and around his cage to prevent your furry friend from developing any of the most common hamster diseases.
Also, consider that a hamster's life expectancy is around 2 to 4 years, depending on the breed. Therefore, they are not a good choice for those looking for a long-lived pet.
If you don't know which hamster to choose, here is another article on our site about the Types of hamsters.
The pet rabbit
Rabbits can also be great pets to keep around the house, but you should choose a breed of rabbit that fits the available space in your home. Toy or dwarf rabbits can be an excellent option for those who live in small apartments due to their diminutive size.
However, ideally, your rabbit should out of the cage at least twice a day and have a safe environment where it can move freely and explore your surroundings.
The turtle as a pet
Due to their calm demeanor, tortoises can also make great pets to keep around the house, but again it will be important to choose a species that is appropriate for the space and time you plan to spend with your new companion. First, find out how big a tortoise is as an adult, as some species can be up to 20 times larger as an adult than during their first few months of life. life.
Also remember that there are water and land turtles, and some species maintain semi-aquatic habits, alternating their environment between water and land. If you choose an aquatic turtle, for example, you will need to properly prepare the turtle tank where your pet will spend most of its life. Tortoises will need other specific care, as well as a balanced diet to strengthen their immune system.
Pets to keep at home: ferret
Without a doubt, a ferret as a pet is one of the best animals to have at home. In addition to being charming, ferrets are also full of energy and can be affectionate animals when they live in a positive environment.
However, you should provide good environmental enrichment for your ferret so that it can exercise and enjoy itself. Remember that physical activity will be necessary for your ferret to maintain a he althy weight and balanced behavior.
If this is the first time you have a ferret as a pet, we advise you to read the following article on our site on Basic Ferret Care.
Small animals for the home: guinea pig
Guinea pigs, also called guinea pigs, are one of the best animals to have at home, as they have a friendly, affectionate and very calm temperamentIn addition, they are small animals that require relatively simple care to maintain good he alth, as you can see in Guinea pig care.
However, you must provide your guinea pig with adequate nutrition, enrich the cage and provide a quiet environment where it can express itself freely and develop fully their physical, cognitive and emotional abilities. With proper care, your guinea pig will become an extraordinary companion that will bring a lot of love to your family.
To provide a suitable environment, we recommend this other article on our site on Preparing a guinea pig's cage step by step.
Pets to keep at home: chinchilla
For many years, chinchillas have been confused with hamsters or guinea pigs in some regions of the world, but they are completely different species. Because it is a small animal, lovely in appearance and cheerful and affectionate in its behavior, the chinchilla is also one of the best animals to have at home. In addition, he has a privileged life expectancy and can live more than 20 years in a positive environment.
Are you thinking of adopting a chinchilla? If so, we recommend that you first read all about the basic care of a domestic chinchilla.
Reptiles to have at home: bearded dragon
Lovers of exotic pets also make our list of the best animals to have at home, as small lizards can be good companions for renters of flats or apartments looking for a non-traditional pet. If you are new to keeping reptiles, you can opt for the leopard gecko or leopard lizard, an easy-to-handle lizard with a small size and afriendly character , or one of the most fashionable lizards: the bearded dragon.
Before adopting an exotic animal as a pet, be it a reptile or any other species, be sure to check which species can breed in captivityin the country or region where you reside. In addition, always use shelters or animal shelters to legally adopt an exotic pet. This ensures that you do not collaborate with the trafficking of exotic animals, which subjects countless species to unworthy living conditions.
Here we leave you more information about the care of the bearded dragon or Pogona vitticeps.
Animals to keep at home: birds
Birds can also adapt to life at home, but it will be your responsibility to reconcile the need for freedom and physical activity with the need to keep them in a cage for safety. Of course, you must also provide them with complete and appropriate nutrition according to the species, as well as keep them free of parasites and diseases.
In addition, it is convenient to provide an environmental enrichment for birds, for their correct development and well-being. So if you are interested in having a pet bird, some of the most recommended and common birds are:
- Parakeets
- Parrots
- Cotorras
- Cockatoos
Discover here which are the best birds to have at home and choose the most suitable for you.
Animals to keep at home: miniature pig
It is becoming more and more common to adopt a pig as a pet. However, at the same time, animal shelters have more and more of these animals, since some owners take on the excessive growth of this pet by reach adulthood.
Although there are various breeders of dubious approved denomination that sell miniature pigs, that is, pigs that do not grow, the truth is that there is no pig with these characteristicsIf you are still willing to adopt a pig as a pet, keep in mind that your animal will grow and you will need adequate space for it. To do this, here we leave you more information about The pig as a pet.
Animals to keep at home: fish
Fish are another of the best animals to have at home due to their basic care and the little time they require. However, if you have never had a fish, we advise you to read this other article on our site about Ideal fish for beginners.
To care for a fish, you will first need to get an aquarium that is the right size for your fish. It's also important to remember that there are freshwater and s altwater fish, so if you're thinking of keeping more than one species of fish at a time, you need to make sure that they are all the same type of water.