Cats and dogs remain the most popular pets for families, however, studies show that at one point 19.4 million people in the U.S. owned exotic pets.
Exotic pets are considered anything other than cats, dogs, fish, or horses, and the prevalence of them in households continues to grow over the years.
Unique pets are perfect for those who may have allergies to cats or dogs or those who are avid animal lovers. Which animals make good pets for families though?
Continue reading to find out eight unique pets that are perfect for families.
Bearded Dragon
Bearded dragons make great pets for kids as they’re gentle and don’t often bite. They’re also small, and even when they do get bigger they can still be held by small hands.
Bearded dragons love hanging out on your shoulder, making a great companion for children while they’re doing homework or lounging on the couch.
As for diet, bearded dragons have a pretty diverse diet. They love insects and worms but also enjoy chomping on leafy vegetables and fruit here and there.
A plus — bearded dragons can live up to 20 years, which is a longer lifespan than your typical dog or cat.
Sugar Glider
Sugar gliders are an exotic pet that require some extra care, but as long as you research the proper pet care for sugar gliders they make a great family pet.
It’s critical the conditions you provide your sugar glider with are perfect in order to ensure they’re satisfied and happy. However, if their conditions are suitable and properly kept sugar gliders are clean animals that don’t smell.
It’s important to take a look at the sugar gliders food list as there are some foods they should not have, such as chocolate, dairy, and pesticide-treated fruits and vegetables. As long as you stick to the foods that are safe for sugar gliders though there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to live a healthy life.
Rat
Rats often get a bad rep, however, they’re intelligent rodents that make amazing pets.
Compared to other rodents such as mice and hamsters, rats are easier to handle, less skittish, and even live longer. They also aren’t known to bite, which differs from most rodents.
Similar to humans, each rat has a unique personality and they love to play around whether it’s with toys, puzzles, or their owners.
Rats need a large cage and do best when living with at least one other rat, so it’s important to keep that in mind.
Contrary to popular belief, rats are pretty clean animals. They may occasionally urine mark, but other than that, they groom themselves several times a day. And, though they are nocturnal animals, they often adapt to your schedule.
Gecko
Geckos come in many different varieties, and they have different personalities depending on the variety. For example, some are more active while others can be more on the quiet side. In addition, some are more active during the day while others are more active at night, so keep this in mind when choosing what variety you’re interested in.
Similar to the bearded dragon, geckos won’t need that much maintenance as long as their enclosure is set up properly. If their living conditions are right for them, however, they can be active pets that love company.
Hedgehog
While hedgehogs can look a bit scary due to their spikes, they’re actually really loving animals and make great small pets for families. And, contrary to popular belief, they are not related to porcupines.
Hedgehogs don’t particularly like their heads being pet, and they will roll into a little ball when scared, but they do enjoy being carried and cuddles for short periods at a time and will even take treats right out of your hand.
Hedgehogs are very active at night, and they require daily exercise, so keeping a wheel in their cage is best. As long as they’re taken care of properly and get the exercise they need, they can live for about five years.
Finch
While finches may not be as popular of a pet as parrots or parakeets, they’re easy-going birds that are pretty easy to take care of.
Finches can’t talk like parrots can, but they love putting on flight displays for their owners and are very social with other finches. Because of this, they do best when living with other finches, however, there’s a high chance they’ll produce offspring.
As for housing, finches need a cage with lots of space. When they’re happy with their living conditions you can enjoy their melodious songs.
Pig
Caring for a pig is very similar to caring for a dog, and they can even be trained just as dogs can. They’re very gentle and their personalities are very similar to those of dogs. They also love a lot of outside space to run around and dig in dirt, so a fenced-in backyard would be ideal.
Like the gecko, there are different breeds of pigs, and each breed has its own personality and a specific set of needs. In addition, they may have slightly different diets, so it’s important to understand your pig’s specific needs.
Hermit Crab
Hermit crabs are affordable pets, and they’re pretty easy to handle and take care of.
Hermit crabs have distinct personalities and are unique in their own way. They’re also very active and curious creatures.
If hermit crabs get scared or feel threatened they can pinch you, however, this doesn’t happen often as long as you’re careful when handling them.
Hermit crabs should live in a tank that’s at least 5 gallons big and has a good amount of humidity. Their tanks should never be placed in direct sunlight. It’s also smart to put some larger empty shells in their tank, as they need to switch into larger shells as they grow.
If cared for the right way, hermit crabs can live for up to fifteen years.
Which One of These Unique Pets Is Best for You?
Unique pets may not be as prevalent in households as dogs and cats, but you’d be surprised at how rewarding owning a unique pet can be.
Whether you’re interested in a lizard, a bird, or even a hermit crab that can fit in the palm of your hand, there’s definitely an exotic pet out there waiting for you to fall in love with them.
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