Small domestic animals make great pets. They are easier to care for and require
less attention than larger animals. They are ideal for small spaces such as an apartment. If you’re frequently away from home, such as working long hours, a small pet can be ideal as it will need very little care. Or if you just want an animal that is easy to care for, a small pet can be a good decision.
Prepare your home for your new pet. Before purchasing your new pet, take some time to find out what kind of environment they need. Depending on the species, they may need much more living space than you imagine. You’ve probable seen those little glass bowls that goldfish or betas are displayed in, that little aquarium is clearly too small.
Your pet may need specific living conditions.
Reptiles such as snakes and anoles require a heated terrarium. They also need foliage that is similar to their natural habitat and perhaps a few rocks or places to hide. Bear in mind that reptiles will only eat live food, so if this bothers you, then consider a different pet.
Hamsters are nocturnal. While they can be trained to remain awake during the day, they quickly revert to their nocturnal lifestyle. They are very playful, but also solitary animals. Putting a male and female in the same cage is a bad idea, once she is pregnant, she will kill the male so he won’t kill the young. They will eat pellet food but they also enjoy live food such as crickets and grasshoppers. Hamsters live about 3 years.
Hermit crabs make interesting pets. They are social, so you can have more than one in a habitat. They do require a bit more care though. Hermit crabs periodically outgrow their shells, and new shells must be provided. They thrive when the temperature is kept at a constant 75 Degrees and they are misted daily as they need a humid environment. They will also need sand to burrough in, rocks to scramble over and places to hide. Hermit crabs live about 30 years, so their are a long term pet.
Rabbits are not as easy to care for as many assume. They are social and need the company of another rabbit. Often rabbits are kept in a hutch. However, for your rabbits to thrive the hutch needs to be attached to a large outdoor area where the rabbits can run and play while being protected from predators such as domestic cats. I know, every town has a leash law for cats, every cat owner ignores it, and no animal control officer enforces the law.
So here are a few options for small domestic animals as pets. I have had all of them and they are all a joy in their own unique ways.
