Want to Find the Best Pet? Consider Small Animals.

petsmall animal

Feb 8

Are you considering bringing a pet into your home? But are you concerned that they will take over your life?

You see others making it work and hear their love for their animal. You want to make a good decision but aren’t sure where to start. Maybe you doubt if you have enough space or time to commit to their care.

70% of American households own a pet.¹

Dogs are the most commonly owned pet in the world.² They make excellent family pets. But they can be demanding and time-consuming. You must take into account your outdoor space and the time you have available for things such as training.

Maybe you live in a small apartment or have very little green space. The idea of walking your dog on a leash every time they need to potty isn’t appealing to you. Or the thought of your dog missing you all day while you are away at work breaks your heart.

As an American, you lead a busy life and want freedom and flexibility. You want companionship. You also want to live a long, healthy, happy life.

My husband and I rescued a dog early in our marriage. She’s been a wonderful part of our family and went everywhere with us. As we grew our family, we decided to get another dog to be her “friend” since we didn’t have as much time to devote to her. We love Jordan and Barkleigh. But having two dogs that like to dart was a constant stressor with kids running in and out of the door. And our tiny yard felt even smaller every time a child came to us after stepping in their poop.

As our children grew, they wanted a pet they considered their own. We wanted to give them their desire. It’s a great way to learn responsibility. And anything that distracts them from more screen time feels like a good idea.

The perfect solution for our family has been adding small animals to our home.

Small Animals Are the Best Pet for a Variety of Lifestyles.

Small animals are generally kept in a cage. These enclosures serve as their little world within your home. Keeping the rest of your home safe from exposure to normal animal behaviors like:

scratching
chewing
toileting

You don’t have to worry about them soiling your plush new rug or using your son’s gaming headphones as a chew toy.

These habitats fit all that they need. Food, water, and entertainment. A place for sleep and for managing their waste.

If you have these things available, they can be safe and happy for most of their day. Of course, you’ll want to provide them with regular bonding and exercise time. But you can plan it for the time that is most convenient for you.

Like any living being, animals thrive on routine. What’s great is that they are adaptable to living within the rhythm of your home.

Some species are more active during the day, while others prefer the night. So you will surely find a pet that fits your personality and schedule.

For example, a guinea pig is crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk. That schedule works perfectly for a family that is gone at work or school all day. You can still have playtime with your piggy while at home.

Small Animals Work Well for Homes With Limited Space.

83% of Americans live in the city.³ This limits your access to outdoor green space. Outdoor time for restroom needs and exercise is a must for larger animals.

While small pets need more roaming space than most pet store cages provide, they don’t need more than a small area. And they tend to stay in one primary spot.

You won’t find them sprawled out on your sofa, leaving fur behind.

You won’t need to step over them in the middle of the night to get to the restroom.

And you won’t find their toys strewn throughout your home.

Small Animals Don’t Need Extensive Training.

There’s no need to hire a trainer to work on manners or spend hours practicing commands. You don’t worry about them greeting your guests at the door or chasing the neighbor’s cat.

Time spent with your small pet focuses on building trust and bonding.

Some small animals, such as hamsters, prefer limited handling. You can enjoy watching them burrow, groom, feed, and play in their habitat. Many owners enjoy designing aesthetic and enriching environments for them to explore.

This doesn’t mean that your small pet cannot learn. With practice, they respond to their name and commands. They can also perform for treats or find their way through mazes and puzzles. They provide you both with hours of entertainment and interactive time together.

Of course, their manageable size makes them ideal for sweet cuddles for the whole family.

They are content to sit and snack with children while they do their homework. And will lounge on their owner's lap while they watch an evening show.

Small Animals Are Generally Low Maintenance to Groom.

Like all animals, some breeds need more grooming than others.

Typically though, small animals are easy to care for. With a few tools, you’re set. Nail trims and spot cleaning of their fur will keep them healthy and comfortable.

Animals such as hamsters, rats, chinchillas, and gerbils are self-groomers. They mainly need you to provide the appropriate environment. Including a dust bath and items to chew that keep their teeth trimmed is enough. You can find these items easily at a nearby pet store or online.

Reptiles such as geckos, turtles, and even snakes can be easy to care for. Setting up their environment and keeping the food coming are your primary requirements.

Small Animals Can Improve Your Quality of Life.

Affection is an often looked-for quality in a family pet. Small animals are perfect at offering comfort and companionship.

A study by the National Library of Medicine connects pet ownership with deep levels of compassion and attachment in children.⁴

According to the CDC, companionship has positive effects on our mental health. But the benefits don’t stop there. Our physical health can also be affected. There is proof of improved blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in pet owners.⁵ Who doesn’t need that?

Routine pet care increases responsibility and self-confidence in children. These healthy habits increase accountability in other areas, such as school.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry points out several advantages of pet ownership —

Teaching children to connect to and respect the natural world
Providing lessons about life’s natural order in areas like reproduction and death
Being a safe place for children to share their private thoughts and emotions
Meeting needs of comfort, love, and loyalty⁶

Small animals even increase feelings of safety and security.

Family bonding takes place as you build fond memories of your time with your furry friend.

Small Animals Increase the Level of Joy in Your Home.

Ever wonder why viral animal videos often include baby animals? Of course not. They’re adorable!

Our brains are wired to be attracted to cute things. Haven’t you heard the saying, “It’s so cute I just want to squeeze it”?

Nobel-winning Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz observed features such as round faces, big eyes, and chubby bodies in babies. He gave them the name “kindchenschema.”

These features, he claimed, promote human caregiving by producing an urge to hold, cuddle, and care for anything that resembles a baby.⁷

There are scientific studies from around the world dedicated to the phenomenon of “cuteness.”

They find that observing animals with these soft, chubby bodies impacts the chemistry of our brains by producing dopamine. That pleasure hormone we are all so fond of.

Participants showed signs of:

Reduced stress and anxiety in high-pressure situations
Reduced blood pressure and heart rate
Increased feelings of attachment
Increased concentration and focus⁸

Watching them play, groom, and nibble their food can give you that jolt of happiness.

And as a bonus, small animals stay small.

Each animal has their unique mannerisms and personality to get to know. When you own a herd animal, such as a guinea pig, you can enjoy watching them relate to one another. Their cuddles and communication will have you swooning.

No matter your choice of a small pet, you will increase your joy with each “Aww.”

How Do You Choose the Best Pet for Yourself?

Finding the perfect small animal can be an exciting adventure.

Consider your circumstances. Here are some questions to ask:

What is your schedule like?
How much time can you devote to caretaking?
How much space do you have in your home for their habitat?
How much would you like to spend initially and monthly?
Do you prefer fluffy, feathery, or scaly?
Do you want to handle your small friend or prefer primarily observing their habits?

By considering these questions, you will have some direction on what type of animal fits your lifestyle and goals. Don’t forget to consider the other members of your family.

Then your research begins. Search articles focusing on different small animals and their proper care. Choose the ones that spark your interest and curiosity the most.

It won’t take long to see the variety of small animals available. Take your time and keep searching. You’re sure to find one to love.

You can also learn how your choices affect the care and protection of small animals by how you buy or rescue your new pet.

Let me know what small animal you’re considering getting in the comments below.

Looking for more tips on pet care or small animals in particular? Visit my blog.

Resource Links

¹https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-ownership-and-insurance

²https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/reports-statistics/us-pet-ownership-statistics

³https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/built-environment/us-cities-factsheet

⁴https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets

https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/20/health/benefits-of-having-a-pet-wellness/index.html

⁵https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/keeping-pets-and-people-healthy/how.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhealthypets%2Fhealth-benefits%2Findex.html

https://be.chewy.com/7-best-small-animal-pets-for-children/