Want to Be a Pocket Pet Owner: 3 Compact Companions for You

Having a pet companion is an excellent way to give your life more purpose, especially if you’re going through a soul-searching phase. Being responsible for another’s life is a great way to teach you about caring for yourself, and it can even be a step towards getting some experience before having a child of your own. Unfortunately, not all aspiring pet owners have the space and attention to keep large pets like cats and dogs. Although the typical go-to picks for pets are off your list, there are other options to consider if you want to be a pet owner in a downsized situation.

1. The Diversity of Pocket Pets

Owning a “pocket pet” means getting a domestic animal that doesn’t require much space to take care of. This classification applies to gerbils, ferrets, rabbits, hamsters, and other small critters. Although they’re much smaller than cats and dogs, they can still be a lot of fun to live with and care for.

If you want to be an official pocket pet owner, here are three compact critters you can consider:

1.1 Guinea Pigs

Although most people confuse guinea pigs with hamsters, they are entirely different animals. Guinea pigs are generally more active and have a more expressive personality. Unlike hamsters, they’re more diverse in expressing sadness, happiness, or just giddiness. Guinea pigs also enjoy having ample space to play around in, so they’re not receptive to staying in cramped cages. They are also happier with others in their species since they’re sensitive to being alone.

1.2 Parrots

Parrots are great pets for humans due to their high intelligence and playful nature. Additionally, some species can live as long as 80 years under the right conditions. If you want to invest in a parrot, it’s important to understand the long-term commitment you should make. This also ties to how parrots can become attached to their human owners. Although they’re slightly small, they need an area the size of a small room to stay active. Additionally, their cage needs to be cleaned every other day.

1.3 Fish

If you really don’t have the space to spare but want to be a pet owner, having fish as your animal companion may be the choice for you. Keep in mind that fish are much more diverse than mammals, which means their living conditions will vary from species to species. At the very least, you need to invest in a proper tank with filters, foliage, and other pebbles to decorate their environment. Once you set the proper lighting, water, and food type, raising fish won’t be too difficult.

Besides feeding your fish daily, you also need to assess the pH balance of the water. Another extra routine you should consider is cleaning their tank weekly to prevent them from getting sick. Keep in mind that exotic fish can be considerably more expensive to buy and more complex to care for.

2. Conclusion

Although pocket pets are small in size, keep in mind that caring for them also demands the same level of responsibility as “full-size” pets. For example, reptiles need to be kept in climate-controlled environments. Other pets will also require you to retrofit your home with attachments to ensure that it’s safe for them to live in. This is why you should always perform your due diligence before you buy a compact pet.

Thanks to the internet, pet owners have access to an enormous catalog of information to help them become better human companies. At The Pets People, we provide practical, real-life ideas and training tips to assist you in caring for your pet. If you want to read about dogs or general pet news and owners’ tips, browse our blog today!