Hundreds of types of pets exist in this world. There are all the common ones that we all know and love (e.g., cats, dogs, fish, and so on). There are many less common ones, too, like snakes, bugs, or reptiles. When considering getting a pet, most people wonder if there is a single best type of pet.
The answer is no. There's no one single pet that people like more than most. There are more popular pets. For example, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States. But that doesn't make the Lab any better than a cat or fish.
After all, if you live in a 400 sq. ft. apartment in NYC, a Lab may not be your best option.
However, there are categories of pets (e.g., large, small, or exotic), and there tend to be favored pets in each category. Here are the top 5 types of pets that you might want to consider.
One of the Best Types of Pets: Dogs
Dogs are some of the best types of pets around for a variety of reasons.
First, dogs and humans have a special connection as dogs have unique parts of their brains that process human faces. Similarly, humans have a particular affinity for canines that is different than other animals. That's one reason why dogs are "man's best friend!
Furthermore, dogs tend to be loyal, loving, and enjoyable companion animals. They are relatively easy to take care of since there's nothing too complex about them. If you provide them with food, water, and plenty of love and exercise, there aren't too many other tricks!
One of the Best Exotic Pets: Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs have become significantly more popular in recent years. They are cute, relatively easy to take care of (once you know what they need), and have few social requirements. They are fairly solitary creatures in the wild.
If you get a hedgehog, setting up their habitat is likely the most challenging part of taking care of them. These adorable pets need plenty of space to run. As such, you'll need a reasonably large habitat for them to run around. And, you'll need plenty of exercise wheels and other things to keep them busy to prevent obesity!
The one potential problem with hedgehogs is that they can carry salmonella. Therefore, keep your hedgehog's environment clean and wash your hands before and after touching them. Furthermore, the CDC recommends not letting younger children (under 5) handle them out of an abundance of caution.
Budgies
Budgies are an excellent choice of pet, even for children as long as you teach them how to properly care for one. They don't require much space, are relatively low-maintenance, and are not particularly messy.
They're a great way to introduce your child to the concept of taking care of a pet. They can learn to be gentle with the budgie, and these small birds are known to be quite affectionate. Budgies are a relatively low-cost, low-maintenance way of teaching your children about pets!
One of the Best Small Pets: Hamster
The venerable hamster is one of the best small pets you can get. They don't require a significant amount of room (although their cage should be a decent size), and they are relatively low maintenance. Furthermore, when it comes to costs to maintain a hamster, you won't be spending too much money.
Plus, hamsters look adorable! It's almost impossible to resist these furry friends and the way they curl up in a ball, run on the wheel for exercise, and stuff food into their cheek pockets. When the conditions are right, hamsters are also quite affectionate! They often enjoy snuggling with their owners and eating treats out of their hands.
One of the Best Unique Pets: Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
A cockroach is undoubtedly not everyone's idea of a pet, but that's what makes it so unique. These insects are the ones that you'll see in the movies because they are so long, reaching 2-3 inches at maturity.
Unlike most cockroaches, these pets have no wings for flying or jumping. That makes them more suitable for captivity, although they are excellent climbers and can scale glass walls.
Most people put these insects in a five or 10-gallon fish tank. You'll need a mesh lid, and many people line the top couple of inches of the tank with some petroleum jelly to make it very hard to get out! Aside from that, you'll need some fresh fruits and veggies and food that's high in protein (dry dog food works well). They're very easy pets to care for once you get the environment set up!
If you want this highly unique pet, you should know that some U.S. states require people to have permits to keep these pets. Florida is one state that requires this, although there are others. Part of the reason for regulating these pets is that governments are wary about inadvertently introducing an invasive species into the environment. However, if you're looking for something unique, needing a permit to have one only adds to the allure!
There Are Many Types of Pets To Consider
One of the most remarkable aspects of pet ownership is just how many types of pets there are. You can have insects, dogs, cats, fish, or practically anything else you want as long as they're not illegal and are not endangered species. Some people even have scorpions!
If you're considering one of these pets, please do some research first. Ensure you have everything you need so you can give them a happy and healthy life, and then you can enjoy your new pet!
What are good pets?
What is a companion animal?
What is the best animal?
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