Human beings were designed to crave companionship, and this doesn’t always have to come in the form of another person. It’s estimated by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that approximately 42 percent of Americans have a dog and around 33 percent have a cat.
It’s easy to see we’ve come to invite these animals into our lives, and they quickly steal our hearts and make themselves one of the family. However, not everyone has the capability to care for standard pets such as cats and dogs. After all, they require frequent care and attention some of us simply cannot provide. Not to mention the fact that around 15 percent of people have allergies to dogs and cats. If these scenarios describe you, you don’t have to neglect yourself of the chance to enjoy the love of a pet. When you think outside the box, there are many interesting pet ideas that could offer you just what you need.
Ant Farm
You’d be surprised at how much you can learn by observing what goes on underground with ants, and you can experience just that when you decide to buy an ant farm. Aside from getting a sneak-peek at their behavior, you can also enjoy:
- Allowing younger children the chance to test their responsibility with a very low-maintenance pet option
- Encouraging a love for natural sciences in anyone in the home both old and young
- Learning about the different types of ants within a colony and how they work together to make their unit work efficiently
Ants are quite fascinating when you get to take a look behind the scenes, and you can get started at a minimal cost.
2. Turtles
Another excellent option for a non-traditional pet you can enjoy is a turtle. These animals are also low-maintenance, and they can be obtained at a minimal cost at most pet stores. While many feel they cannot connect with a turtle, these creatures are often misunderstood. This is primarily because the only contact most of us have with turtles is in the wild.
Just like any other wild animal, turtles shy away from humans. However, when you buy a captive-bred turtle, you’ll be pleased to know that these creatures do learn to recognize their owner as well as adapt to feeding times and other routines you establish. If you do decide turtle ownership is for you, remember that it’s crucial you keep their tank clean, and there are a number of quality filters that can help make this task simple. Before picking out your turtle, be sure to first set up their tank and take advantage of a complete guide to canister filters to see what actual customers have to say.
3. Hedgehog
When we think of hedgehogs, most of us drift back to the early 90’s and the lovable blue Sonic the Hedgehog character. While actual hedgehogs don’t have superspeed, they do make lovable pets. Although they do resemble a porcupine, the species are not even related. If you decide to pursue hedgehog ownership, just a few pointers to keep in in mind include:
- Ensure their cage is no smaller than 30 by 24 inches
- Check your city and state’s laws to ensure there are no restrictions to ownership
- Be prepared to interact with your pet at night as they are nocturnal
- Ensure a balanced diet by purchasing special supplemental formulas at pet stores
Fun Pets That Will Have All Your Friends Talking
We all know someone with a cat or dog. Even hamsters are relatively common. However, when you think outside the box, there are a number of other pet ideas that can provide you with an exciting pet ownership experience that’s unique from what any of your associates likely have waiting for them at home. Aside from making you unique, you also get the chance to learn from your pet each and every day as simply observing these animals can be an educational experience.
If you do decide to embark on a unique pet ownership experience, however, it’s crucial that you understand that these animals often require specific care. That’s why it’s important that you don’t try to capture any of these animals in the wild. Instead, invest in captive-bred animals that are already accustomed to commercial food and life out of the wild. When you do your homework, you can be on your way to a one-of-a-kind experience that can change your life for the better.