When living in a small space, having a pet may seem to be an unaffordable luxury. Many apartment complexes have strict pet restrictions, and may even go as far as banning cats and dogs from their facilities. When choosing the right type of pet for your apartment, it is always important to keep the rules of your apartment complex in mind. Here are some of the best pets that you can have while living in a small apartment.
BIRDS
Most birds only take up a small amount of space, and may even become people-friendly with the proper training. There are hundreds of different types of birds available that will be suitable for small apartments, since they only require a small designated enclosure space. If you want a bird that will eventually become tame enough to take out of the cage, try purchasing a hand-raised parakeet. Though parakeets tend to be unaffectionate without the proper training, it is possible to form a long-lasting bond with a properly raised parakeet. If you are looking for a bird that is relatively intelligent, try raising an African Gray Parrot. African Gray Parrots make great pets; though do require a lot of training and maintenance.
FERRETS
Ferrets have gradually become much more popular for domesticated pet owners. Ferrets are very personable, and tend to be affectionate towards their owners. However, ferrets are also very high-energy animals, and will require constant attention and varied interaction. Though it is possible to keep a ferret in a small apartment, you will still need to give them a substantial amount of exercise. Most ferrets will thrive in small living enclosures, as long as they are taken out for interaction on a regular basis.
SNAKES
If you are looking for an apartment pet that does not require constant human interaction, you may want to look into adopting a snake. Snakes make relatively good apartment pets, since they only require as much space as their glass tank takes up. However, the difficulty with snakes is that they need to be fed live prey (such as mice or rats), which may not be best for squeamish pet owners. Due to a snake’s specialized health needs, finding a veterinary facility that is able to provide care for snakes may prove to be slightly difficult.
RATS
Contrary to popular belief, rats are very clean animals. Rats will also form a strong bond with their owner, as long as they are raised alone. Most rats will be very affectionate towards their owners, and portray a fairly impressive level of intelligence. Rats are fairly obedient when trained, and may even be able to be taken outdoors with the proper restraints. Rats do not have difficult dietary needs, and will thrive on a general diet available for purchase at most pet care stores. Most rats are also very playful, and are energetic enough to engage in regular playtime. However, due to their affectionate nature, some rats are prone to becoming overweight. It’s very important to provide some form of exercise that a rat can participate in on a regular basis.
Sun, Sep 27, 2009