Best Small Pets You Can Have for Apartment Living
Do you want a pet but can not afford to maintain a big one? If this is the case, then my friend, you do not have to worry anymore. Small pets come in different sizes and shapes and are best to maintain. Here is an article with the best small pets that are low maintenance, and trust me, you will love them.
Many small pets are quiet, do not require much space, and are as fun as conventional pets like cats or dogs. You can keep the best small pets in your apartment, as they would not disrupt the neighbors and will also not cause any damage to your home. Moreover, these pets are also kid-friendly, so your little ones are going to love them.
Best Small Pets
When you look for a pet to add to your family, you can choose from a wide range. Plenty of small, furry, and cuddly pets are compact, easy to handle, care for. They are affordable and do not require a lot of attention.
To buy small pets, it would be better to do proper research so that you end up getting the right one. So, what is the best small pet to have? Below is a list of the best small pets you can have.
Rabbits
Rabbits are one of the best small pets. They are furry and small with long cute ears, fluffy tails, and their coats vary from white to grays, browns, and black.
There are around fifty breeds of rabbits, and many people like to keep them as pets. Most breeds are social animals and are best to keep you company. If you live in an apartment, rabbits are the best choice for you. You can easily train them to groom them, and the best thing is that they are relatively quiet.
Many people allow them to roam freely in their apartments. It is the best way for the rabbits to get some exercise. The only drawback of keeping rabbits as pets is that they like to dig and chew almost all the time.
Hamsters
Hamsters are ideal pets to keep in an apartment as they do not require a lot of space. They are low maintenance, quite clean, and the best thing is that they do not shed. Most allergy sufferers can easily can with a hamster in the house.
You can easily tame hamsters with regular handling. Hamsters are low-maintenance, and all they need is a 2-cubic-feet cage containing an exercising wheel, absorbent bedding, food, items to chew, water, and a hiding spot.
Aiding spot is important for guinea pigs. They often like to hide behind things. You can easily train hamsters to litter, but sometimes they can be aggressive.
Ferrets
If you are looking for the best small pets for cuddling, nothing could be better than ferrets. They are amazing and love to play with humans. To give them a playful environment, provide them with a playful cage around 2-feet long and 4-feet tall.
They are perfect pets for people living in apartments as they are quiet and love to sleep most of the day. They like to get into mischief and love to hide. Make sure to make your house ferret keep them from escaping and hiding under some unsafe spots.
Ferrets are highly energetic intelligent, and they make great pets. You can easily train them, becoming low-maintenance and loyal pets.
Mice
Pointed snout and small rounded ears make mice the cutest small pets. They do not require a big cage and a lot of space. Their size requirement is one of the biggest reasons they are preferred as pets for small spaces.
They are self groomers, quiet, and meticulous. The best thing about mice is that they are easy to care for. They are playful and intelligent. Though they are skittish, they can be tamed if hand-fed and handled properly.
Mice are natural explorers and can provide you with hours of fun to watch and play with. The dash tunnels and climbs rope. They are friendly and barely bite, making them the best pets for kids.
Rats
Rats are intelligent, quiet, and friendly animals. They are small in size and easy to take care of, making them the best pet for apartments and smaller houses. They do not require bigger cages. A cage of around two cubic feet is enough for the,
They love to hang out on people’s laps or shoulders. Rats love to sleep most of the day, so you do not have to worry about them while you are at work. Make sure to keep enough food, freshwater, something to chew, and some toys for them. They are highly active at night but can also wake for fun and interaction during the day.
Guinea Pigs
Currently, guinea pigs are a popular choice for the best small pets for toddlers. They crave socialization and are easy to handle. Guinea pigs make a “wheek” sound, but it is not loud enough to disturb the neighbors.
They are easy to maintain, and a 2-foot by 3-foot is enough for them. Height is not crucial as they do not like to climb, so you do not need a taller cage for them. They love out-of-cage time to play, explore, and socialize. While they are out of the cage, make sure they are not exposed to wooden fixtures and wires.
Hedgehogs
One of the best things about hedgehogs is that they do not require a vast cage. They need a cage around 2 feet by 3 feet. They are mainly nocturnal, so even if you are away from them during the day, they will not mind.
Hedgehogs produce little dander and are quiet, making them the right pet for people with allergies. They are solitary and typically gentle. Hedgehogs need a special diet containing vegetables and special food as they are omnivores.
The only drawback is that in some parts of the U.S.they are illegal, and you would require a permit to keep them as pets.
Reptiles
Reptiles like snakes and smaller lizards are not as fun and social as mammals but can be good for apartments and smaller spaces. They do not make any noise and are easy to care for. Not only lizard species are meant to be pets. Some of the species not good for beginners include leopard, house geckos, anoles, geckos, and bearded dragons.
If you plan to have a snake for a pet, include milk snakes, ball pythons, and king snakes. It would help extra careful with reptiles as they need a controlled environment. Reptiles love to eat live prey, so if you do not like feeding live creatures or mice, they are not the best pet for you.
Frogs
The best thing about many frog species is that they do not need much space, making them ideal for people living in small apartments. The ideal tank size for most of the frogs is a 20-gallon tank.
If you want a pet for display, they are the right choice for you. They are low-maintenance pets and opt for eating only a few pets. There are different types of frogs like semi-aquatic frogs, aquatic frogs, large but sedentary frogs, and tree frogs. If you are looking for a pet that does not make noise, male frogs are not for you.
Tarantulas
If you love spiders, then tarantulas are the best small pets for you. They can be an amazing addition to your home. Tarantulas are quiet and do not need too much space. A 5-10 gallon aquarium is enough for them to thrive.
Tarantulas are low maintenance and are okay with staying alone. The venom of pet tarantula is toxic, so it would be better not to handle it.
Hermit Crabs
Hermit crabs are one of the cutest and low-commitment pets. They are perfect for living in apartments as they are low-maintenance, hypoallergenic, and make no noise. Hermits are fun to watch, and they move from one shell to another.
If you place them with other hermit crabs, they love to socialize. All they need is a 10-to-20 gallon tank. They are highly active and social little creatures. If you take proper care of them, they can live up to 30 years. Proper care of hermit crabs includes providing them with around 75 degrees. Hermit crabs love humidity, so misting is advised. They also need rocks to climb, space to hide, and sand to dig.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are playful personalities. They are small rodents and perfect for people in small apartments. Chinchillas are odor-free and clean, making them one of the best small pets. They are nocturnal, so you can leave them alone during the day, and they will not miss you. With proper care and handling, they can bond adequately with you. They need a cage of around 2 feet by 2 feet.
Chinchillas are cuddly and cute little creatures and are extremely intelligent. Once you get friendly with them, you can teach them cute little tricks.
Gerbils
Gerbils are one of the best small pets and great fun to watch. They are burrowing by nature and love to spend hours digging. Gerbils are agile and quick, which makes them difficult to hold. They are usually more interesting to watch rather than the handle.
Gerbils are highly sensitive to the environment as compared to other pets. Humidity can give them fur and respiratory problems. To handle the gerbils properly, keep them away from too much humid environment. Gerbils are not too aggressive, making them the best pets for toddlers.
Parrots
If you are looking for a small pet that can live longer, parrots are for you. Some particular species can live for around 80 years. They are wonderful and human-like pets. Parrots are lively, playful, and intelligent, making them an ideal small pet for kids. They are one of the friendly pet bird species.
You can keep parrots in a small birdcage and need an area of the size of a small room so that they can fly around comfortably. They are quick learners and intelligent. Some parrots can even learn to talk. It would be best to clean the cage every day to manage a healthy and clean environment.
Fish
A fish is an ideal low-maintenance pet. If you stay away from home the whole day, then fish is the perfect choice for you. However, it would be best if you spent some time cleaning their tanks. You will also have to invest in a nice tank, rocks, and filters. Apart from that, you do not invest a lot of time caring for them.
Fish make fabulous pets as they do not require a lot of space and time. Not only are they inexpensive and low- maintenance, but their beautiful bright colors are best to brighten up the home.
Final Words
When buying the best small pets, make sure they are at the perfect age to leave their mother. Never purchase pets from shops unwillingly to spend proper time with you to ensure that you are ready for the commitment. In addition to this, make sure to provide the little one with proper care and love. Do share your experience with us by dropping a comment.
