There are many reasons why having a pet is so celebrated around the world by nearly every culture. Pets can be loyal, playful, interesting, cuddly and even protective of their owners.
They can be great companions to have around and can go a long way towards helping their owners if they are lonely. They can even have a unique personality of their own and stand out from other animals of their species!
However, it’s no secret that not every animal is fit to be a pet. And not only that, but some pets are not exactly right for a small living space. While many of these limitations are based on common sense and are not necessarily hard and fast rules, they should usually be followed as a matter of principle. This article will help you to determine what kind of pet might be right for your small living space, and to find out how to pick the one that is right for your needs.
Why should I be careful about the size of my pet?
Living in a small apartment can feel cramped enough as it is with all of your belongings and even roommates to keep into consideration. So, adding a new living being to your space will require a lot of planning and effort. Pets, whether small or large, traditional or exotic, need resources, love and attention. Having a pet tiger may seem like a cool idea until you realize that it would feel cramped in your tiny apartment, it would not have any way to hunt for food, it may not be properly domesticated and so much more.
Therefore, getting a pet that fits with the size of your home is generally a good idea. This usually means that you will want a pet that can be easily carried around and has plenty of room to move around. This not only applies to dogs and cats but also to animals that will be kept in cages, terrariums or tanks. These types of pets include birds, lizards, snakes, turtles, fish, hamsters and more.
Additionally, not every apartment or rented home allows you to have certain kinds of pets. There are plenty of “no dogs allowed” buildings and home owners associations (HOAs) that exist, and oftentimes you will need to pay additional fees to have cats wandering around your rooms. Small, low-maintenance animals, such as fish, are usually permitted, but it is best to contact your landlord to be sure.
Different Everyday Needs for Different Pets
Undoubtedly, not all animals act in the same way, much as humans act very differently from one another. Some animals require constant attention, whereas others might require almost none at all. You can usually determine the potential needs of a pet by looking at their:
- Feeding type and schedule. Some animals, like dogs and cats, will usually eat two meals of dog/cat food per day, which is fairly easy to coordinate. Others, such as snakes, eat less than once per day. However, they also eat more specific types of food, such as live insects, bird eggs or live rodents.
- Grooming needs. How often does your pet need a bath or a brushing? While it may be often for certain cat and dog breeds, a snake or fish may never require grooming. This can factor in to how much time you are willing or able to spend on your pet’s appearance and hygiene.
- Bathroom needs. Nobody enjoys having to pick up after a pet, but that is a necessary evil of pet ownership. While some animals are trained to use a litterbox that can be easily cleaned, dogs must often be taken outside. Smaller animals like hamsters and ferrets have a much easier cleanup process than most other pets.
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You should keep in mind how much attention each animal needs. Whereas a cat can usually spend a lot of time alone, a dog might get anxious or sad without company. There are many other potential factors to consider, depending on the type of pet that you want, and the type of living space that you have.
Finding the Right Pet for Your Small Home
Pets can be an excellent addition to your family, and provide companionship and emotional support to anyone who needs it. In order to find the pet that is right for you, a lot of care and planning and organization will need to take place first. Different pet stores will sell small pets that might be right for your home. This is an especially good idea for animals such as birds, reptiles and fish.
While you can certainly get dogs and cats there as well, it is generally a better idea to adopt one of these pets from your local shelter or humane society. This is mostly due to the fact that many pet stores and family breeders are guilty of running puppy mills, which can negatively impact the lives of many dogs and cats across the country.
You may also find a stray pet on the streets, or find an otherwise wild animal in the wilderness. While these may seem like good pets at first glance, it is extremely critical to get the help of a professional when dealing with these animals. You never know if an animal is truly domesticated or not, and strays may be aggressive or have some kind of disease that you don’t want to be around. These animals should be helped if they are in trouble, but it is important not to get complacent around potentially dangerous situations.
Tips for Having a Pet in a Small Living Space
When you have finally gotten the pet that you wanted for your small living space, making sure to properly care for them is important. Each type of pet that you can have is different, and requires different equipment and daily routines. But for most pets, you should:
- Be aware of how much you need to clean up after them, and get the right vacuums, litterbox materials and brushes to do the job right.
- Give them the maintenance that they need, including baths, a good diet, exercise equipment (like a running wheel for hamsters), regular walks if necessary and a grooming.
- Take them to their regularly scheduled vet appointments, and give them any medicines that are prescribed. Using a calendar for this is recommended.
Caring for your pet in a small living space can take some work, but it is well worth the investment for many pet owners across the country today.
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By Admin –
