Unusual Pets

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For many people, a traditional dog or cat simply does not satisfy their need for adventure in a pet. Something more interesting or exciting is in order. And for others, a dog or cat will not work well with their living arrangement. (This is often the case with families who are away from home often, having small children, or who live in small apartments.) But these people are not easily deterred from the idea of owning a pet. Here is just a brief summary of some of the options available to people looking for something besides the usual pets.

For the least adventurous of those interested in unusual pets, there are a number of decent options:

Ferrets make great pets, and people in small apartments often keep them in place of a cat or dog because, well, they don’t bark or scratch. That keeps landlords and nearby neighbors happy. The drawback to ferrets is that they require more attention than other animals. They are not a good choice for busy people who are not home often or who do not have time to devote to their furry friends.

Guinea pigs also make nice pets because they are quiet and clean. While they are not as accident prone as ferrets, they do require more tender loving care than other animals. So, again, while guinea pigs are perfect for some living arrangements, pet owners should strongly consider whether they have the time to take care of this species.

Fish, finally, are often thought of as the perfect pet. They don’t eat much, the only mess is in their bowl, and they are definitely as quite as can be. They can also be enormously relaxing and entertaining to watch. Except for those who do not wish to commit to cleaning a fish tank every few weeks, there may not be one single drawback to owning a pet fish.

If all of these unusual pets are a little too tame, then there are plenty of more adventurous options. Warning all of the following should be handled with care:

Pigs first became popular as pets (as opposed to potential dinner) about 15 years ago, and the trend is growing. Pigs are cute and smart, and they are actually cleaner than a stereo type may have you think. The drawback is that, well, pigs are pretty large. They are not good as indoor pets, and they tend to eat a lot of food.

Sugar gliders have been called a cross between a squirrel and a ferret, and they can even fly a little. These little guys are fun to watch, but they can cause chaos in any home. If your house is not gremlin proof, it may not be a good place for sugar gliders.

Stick insects are another big recent rage in unusual pets. But the very thing that makes these little guys perfect in nature can be a terrible hazard to them as pets: they look almost exactly like thin tree branches. More than one pet owner has ended up accidentally throwing his or her exotic, expensive stick insect out with the trash.

Whatever your choice in unusual pet, you are most likely going to have to be a regular at a specialty pet store to pick up food, toys and supplies, and you may even have to find a specially trained veterinarian when things go bad. All that means extra money and extra work. So unusual pets are not something to be brought into a family without a lot of serious thought.

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