Getting or adopting a new pet can be a challenging endeavor, and that’s because not all pets are great from certain viewpoints.
If you want to adopt a dog, you’re probably aware that you need to take full responsibility for your future pet’s well-being, which might be daunting, as well as pricey. On top of that, you need to take the dog outside both in the morning and in the evening, so if you aren’t one of those people who enjoy being outdoors, this might not be the right pet for you.
With cats, one of the main drawbacks might be that some breeds tend to shed a lot. What this means is that you will find it a challenge to keep your living (and working, if you work from home) environment clean all of the time. It’s true that by comparison with dogs, cats are easier to care for — you don’t have to take them for walks — and even more cost-effective as they eat a lot less due to being smaller. The number of people who have dog or cat hair allergies is rather high, so unless you like breeds that have virtually no fur at all, these types of pets should be off-limits.
If you still want to get a new pet and you’ve taken all of the cons into account, maybe you should consider the following species.
A parakeet
Some birds aren’t particularly friendly to other species than their own. However, that’s not the case with parakeets, also known as budgerigars or budgies. In most cases, a parakeet that you can get from a pet shop is the best pet for kids and people who like to interact with their pets, but who might have allergies or some other reasons for steering clear of cats and dogs, for example.
Some budgies are said to live up to the age of 9, so they have a reasonable lifespan compared to other small animals. Parakeets are usually jovial and social, and some can be quite talkative and friendly. There are heaps of videos on YouTube with parakeet parents communicating with their pets. Plus, the diet of a budgie mainly consists of seeds, so you won’t spend a fortune on his or her favorite food.
A small rodent
Hamsters and guinea pigs are quite popular with people who love rodents, and less known species such as gerbils can be very cute, gentle, as well as social. If the idea of training a rodent doesn’t seem that much of a pleasure for you, we would recommend you to stay away from pet rats. They can be quite aggressive if they haven’t been trained, which is why they make poor choices for children.
Larger rodents like guinea pigs and rabbits do require a bit more maintenance compared to other various types of birds, but they are generally friendly and easy to take care of.
How about a reptile?
Let’s face it — not all people are snake lovers, and that happens either because they can be downright scary, or they are a challenge when it comes to caring, cleaning, and maintenance. But smaller reptiles such as turtles and tortoises are far lower-maintenance.
Chameleons are more or less sensitive to all sorts of factors, and so we suggest thinking ahead before deciding to buy or adopt one. They need a specific environment to thrive, which is why you will need to purchase a special chameleon terrarium.
