Best Pet for Me: Uncover Your Ideal Animal Match!

Photo by Edgar Daniel Hernández Cervantes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-white-short-coated-dogs-3628100/

Dogs are one type of pet, but living with a Saint Bernard is different from living with a greyhound, or a chihuahua, or a labrador.

If you are looking for a puppy, you might have a little difficulty finding a rescue puppy. Puppies are not common as rescue pets, but with persistence, you'll find one. There are rescue puppies, they are just not nearly as common as older rescue dogs.  I once fostered a pregnant dog who had three puppies that were adopted once they were old enough. But rescue puppies are rare. 

The advantage of an older rescue dog is that it is already trained and you don’t have to deal with the chaotic puppy energy that so many really young dogs have. Click here for a more in-depth discussion of dogs breeds.

Photo by Valeria Nikitina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/goldfishes-swimming-in-an-aquarium-12245117/

From a tiny goldfish or beta fish in a small tank to tropical fish in a bigger tank, to large fish like sharks and beta fish in a wall-sized aquarium, you are sure to find a pet fish that fits your lifestyle and space. Fish can be incredibly relaxing to watch. OK, they are not going to be cuddly but you can train them to do tricks. They add life and color to a room, no matter how many there are.  You can find out about different types of fish, what kind of tank and equipment you need, and how to keep your tank and fish well taken care of on other pages of this website.

Fish need good filtered water to live in and need their habitat cleaned regularly. Changing the water in your tank can be a delicate operation because many fish can’t take a change in temperature. They also need food and you can decorate their tank with all kinds of statures and plants. There are some fish, like catfish and algae eaters that will help clean the tank for you!

If you have a backyard, you can have a fish pond with koi or other larger fish or even frogs or turtles. You can winterize the pond so the animals survive the winter, even if you live in the north.

No backyard? You can even build an indoor pond. People have done it.

Fish that were in an aquarium in an office or restaurant that has closed down need to be rehomed.  This is in addition to housepet fish where the owner is no longer able to take care of them.  There are fish rescue organizations throughout the country.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-yellow-shirt-overcoming-his-fear-of-snakes-8458976/

Reptiles can be great pets for someone who likes something a little different.  Most people don’t have allergies to reptiles, but they often carry diseases so you would want to wash your hands after handling them. Some reptiles require very little upkeep and can be great first pets.  Others are more complicated.

Reptiles might seem “cold-blooded” and unemotional, but many people who live with reptiles say they appear to enjoy human interaction and have a lot of personality. They can be very sensitive and get stressed out easily.  Heat and humidity requirements and dietary requirements vary between different reptiles.  Some prefer live prey to eat, like mice, which might cause problems for many people who don’t want to send cute little mice to their deaths.

Because they are cold blooded, they need to have the temperature in their habitat controlled.  Different reptiles have different needs for temperature, but most require a cool part of their cage and a warmer part of their cage, Some require extra light. Most require management of humidity as well as temperature.  You should have a thermometer and humidity monitor for your pet reptile to be sure you are providing the proper care.

Reptiles that are easy to care for include anoles, ball pythons, bearded dragons, various small snakes, various geckos, skinks, tortoises, turtles, and water dragons. You can get more information about each of these animals by clicking on their name.

Photo by MART PRODUCTION https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-fearful-woman-having-katsaridaphobia-8458982/

While you may not be snuggling up with your arthropod pet, you’ll be captivated by hours of endless fascination. These remarkable creatures may not fit the traditional idea of "cute," but they possess a certain allure that’s hard to ignore. With their strange, alien-like appearance and unique behaviors, arthropods offer an exciting blend of “cool,” “ick,” and “wow” factors that make them an intriguing choice for a pet.

Before bringing one of these creatures into your home, however, it's important to note that some species may be restricted in certain areas, so thorough research is essential. Some arthropods can also be venomous, and while they generally pose little threat if handled with care, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.

Setting up an appropriate habitat for an arthropod is usually straightforward, and these fascinating animals often thrive in well-maintained environments. Researching the specific needs of the species you're interested in is key to ensuring their well-being. Learn which arthropods are commonly kept as pets and what care they require, and you'll be well on your way to enjoying a truly one-of-a-kind pet experience.

Photo by Linda Velwest

Much of the time birds can entertain themselves with bells, mirrors, paper, or other toys. You can hide treats for them to discover. They will usually need room to fly in their cage, and lots pf perches in their cage, in addition to free flying in the room. Most birds will need some time out of the cage to safely fly freely throughout the apartment, but some need this more than others. They also like a shallow pool to have a bird bath in. Some birds can be messy and throw seeds and paper all around, while others are neater. Birds should not be kept in a place where people are smoking. Also, don’t clip a bird’s winds - let them fly the way they should.

Birds will go through a molting phase. They shed their old feathers and make new ones. During this time they need lots of rest, food, water and a little more heat then usual. Each bird has a different length of time for molting and number of molts per year.

You should clean out the bottom of their cage daily. Their food and water should be kept up high so they don’t get dirty. Vet care for birds is minimal - they don’t need shots or yearly care like dogs and cats do. The other costs for their upkeep are also low - their food is inexpensive and their toys don’t need to cost a lot or you can make your own bird toys.

Some birds can have a very long lifespan, even longer than people.  They can be quite attached to their owner and would be sad if their owner passed on before them. With any pet that has a long lifespan, you would need to plan for what will happen to your pet if you are no longer around.

Remember that all pets are individuals. Just because budgies are a sociable breed that bonds with their humans, doesn’t mean that your particular budgie will be like that. So always get to know your individual adopted pet. That being said, go to my bird page to find out about traits of common birds that are pets. You can also keep chickens, ducks, and geese, if you have the space.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Architect_Mario_Kleff_with_his_male_leopard_Typhoon.jpg

Exotic pets are in the eyes of the beholder. What’s exotic to me might be pretty commonplace to you. I need to take my guinea pigs to an exotic pet vet, but guinea pigs are pretty common.  Some people consider anything besides dogs and cats and fish as exotic.  On the other hand there are many people who have really exotic pets. I think monkeys and tigers and some other pets fit into this category.

There are issues with having exotic animals as pets.  Many of them are not domesticated so they are ill equiped to share out city homes with us.  They can be bored, destructive, depressed, and aggressive because they are so confused.  Many of these animals are obtained from the wild in inhumane and unethical ways.  Some of these animals are endangered

Having an exotic pet can be really cool, but the animal suffers and putting that species in the pet trade is not good for the whole species because people are fickle. So many pets have been abandoned or mistreated by their humans.  Part of why I like to rescue pets, as opposed to getting them from the store or a breeder, is because of this suffering. Instead of creating a demand for a certain type of animal and creating a world where people buy pets only to often mistreat or abandon them, I want to create a loving home for a pet that is already here and needs care. If you have an opportunity to adopt a rescue exotic pet, think long and hard about if you have what it takes to be that animals caregiver.