Every day, the number of people who choose to live in apartments increases, especially in large and medium-sized cities. Among other consequences for daily life, this makes more and more people interested in knowing which the best animals to have at home are. After all, it’s hard to resist the idea of having a partner who brings joy to your home, isn’t it? However, it is important to consider several aspects before adopting a pet to have at home to provide a happy and healthy 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 or are about to move into an apartment and want to adopt a pet, keep reading this new article to discover which are 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 type of pet are you looking for? A friend of unconditional loyalty or a more independent companion? Think about your personality and the type of animal that best suits you. How much interaction do you plan to have with your pet? Are you looking for a friend who can walk, play every day or do you prefer a calmer animal that requires less time and effort? Remember that some pets, such as fish, may not interact as directly or be as communicative as others due to the inherent limitations of the species.
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 for only 2-4 years.
What to take into account when choosing a pet
You must take into consideration aspects such as the following:
- Are you 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 dedicate to your pet?
- In your day to day will you be able to attend to all the needs of your pet?
- Do you have enough money to keep 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 can be easily adapted to live in confined spaces. Take a look at our selection of 15 animals to keep at home:
- Dog
- Cat
- Rabbit
- Hamster
- Tortoise
- Ferret
- Guinea pig
- Chinchilla
- Bearded dragon
- Birds
- Miniature pig
- Fishes
Animals to have 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 space available in your home and educate him properly to teach him to respect the rules of the house. Dogs of all sizes and personalities are waiting to be adopted and have the opportunity to receive the love of a family. For example, if your apartment is small, it is best to have a small or medium-sized dog.
We also recommend that you teach your dog how to relieve himself outside the home and walk properly on the floor, as this makes it easier (and a lot!) 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.
Pets to have at home: cat
Cats are one of the best animals to have at home thanks to their more independent nature and the ease of adaptation in small environments. And because each cat has its own personality, you can adopt a kitten that suits your lifestyle and educate it to respect the rules of your home.
But remember that, despite their more independent nature, cats also need basic care to live a healthy life, as well as the love and dedication of their owners.
Animals to have at home: hamster
Hamsters are also one of the best companion animals for children both because of their small size and the simple care they require on a daily basis. However, preparing and enriching your hamster’s cage, as well as maintaining optimal hygiene in and around his cage, will be essential to prevent your furry friend from developing some of the most common hamster diseases.
Also, consider that the life expectancy of a hamster is around 2 and 4 years, depending on the breed. Therefore, they are not a good option for those looking for a long-lived pet.
The rabbit as a pet
Rabbits can also be great pets to have around the house, but you should choose a breed of rabbit that will suit the space available in your home. Toy or dwarf rabbits can be an excellent choice for those who live in small flats due to their tiny size.
However, ideally, your rabbit should get out of the cage at least twice a day and have a safe environment where it can move freely and explore its surroundings.
The turtle as a companion animal
Due to their calm demeanor, turtles can also be 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 what the size of a tortoise is in adulthood, as some species can measure up to 20 times longer when they are adults than during their first months of 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 should properly prepare the turtle aqua terrarium where your pet will spend most of its life. The tortoises will need other specific care, as well as a balanced diet to strengthen their immune system.
Pets to have at home: ferret
Without a doubt, the 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 loving animals when they live in a positive environment.
However, you should provide a good environmental enrichment for your ferret so that it can exercise and have fun at ease. Remember that physical activity will be necessary for your ferret to maintain a healthy weight and a balanced behavior.
Small animals for home: guinea pig
Guinea pigs, also called guinea pigs, are one of the best animals to have at home, since they have a friendly, affectionate and very calm temperament. In addition, they are small animals that require relatively simple care to preserve good health, as you can see in Caring for the guinea pig.
However, you should provide your guinea pig with proper nutrition, enrich the cage, and provide a quiet environment where it can express itself freely and fully develop its physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities. With proper care, your guinea pig will become an extraordinary companion who will bring a lot of love to your family.
Pets to have 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, charming in appearance and cheerful and affectionate in its behavior, the chinchilla is also one of the best animals to have around the house. In addition, he has a privileged life expectancy and can live more than 20 years in a positive environment.
Reptiles to have at home: bearded dragon
Lovers of exotic pets also make our list of the best animals to have around the house, as small lizards can be good companions for apartment or apartment renters looking for a non-traditional pet. If you are new to reptile farming, you can go for the leopard gecko or leopard lizard, an easy-to-handle lizard with a small size and friendly character, or one of the more 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 captivity in the country or region where you reside. Also, always go to shelters or animal shelters to legally adopt an exotic pet. This ensures that it does not collaborate with the trafficking of exotic animals, which subjects countless species to unworthy living conditions.
Animals to have 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
- Parrots
- Cockatoos
Animals to have at home: miniature pig
It is becoming more and more common to adopt a pig as a pet. However, at the same time, animal protectors increasingly have more of these animals, since some owners assume the excessive growth of this pet when they reach adulthood.
Although there are several 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 characteristics . If you are still willing to adopt a pig as a pet, keep in mind that your animal will grow and that you will need a suitable space for it.
Animals to have 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.
To care for a fish, you will first need to get an aquarium that is the right size for your fish. It is also important to remember that there are fresh and salt water fish, so if you are thinking of having more than one species of fish at the same time, it is necessary to make sure that they are all of the same type of water.
