Preparing for Your Pocket Pet

Though some small animals are much more low maintenance than larger animals, you still need to take time to prepare your home for them. Oftentimes, this means investing in a tank or cage & accessories designed with your future pet’s needs in mind. Many people wrongly assume that small animals don’t need a lot of space. They might buy a hutch for their rabbit & line it with a thin layer of shavings, or they might invest in a small wire cage for their hamster and call it a day, but these types of environments are not suitable. Many smaller animals still need plenty of space to run around in, foliage to hide beneath, shavings to burrow into and toys to play with. While owning and caring for small animals might be easier and inexpensive than a larger pet, setting up their living environment is often a costly endeavor.

Some things to keep in mind before bringing your new pet home:

Reptiles need a climate-controlled environment. They require a heat source & mist. Their tanks need to be quite large. They must have a variety rocks for hiding & climbing. They also require a specialized diet most times including live food.

Rodents like toys such as spinning wheels, tube mazes & toys for chewing. Most are prey animals, and like to have objects to hide under and behind. There homes need to have lots of uninterrupted floor space for running & a thick layer of bedding for burrowing.

Ferrets are very curious animals, and need a “ferret proofed” home to live in. Some small animals, such as chinchillas and rabbits, should be housed with a companion to remain emotionally happy (which can positively affect their lifespan). Many small animals need an indoor environment in which they can sleep and rest, and an outdoor environment where they can play and run around.

Some birds, such as parrots, can live for up to 80 years. If you’re not willing to make that big of a commitment, reconsider your choice to buy a bird. They require large cages with multiple real tree perches & their cages require frequent cleaning.

The same can be said for turtles. Crustaceans such as hermit crabs can live for up to 40 years, but need a climate-controlled environment. Additionally, as they grow, their cage will need to grow with them.

Fish are fairly easy to care for, but only if you stick with the basics, like gold fish or beta fish. Tropical & saltwater fish can require very specialized care & knowledge.

So, its good to remember that any new pet, no matter its size, has individual needs. It is very important to do research before getting your new pet to ensure you have the ability to give them proper care & fits in well with your lifestyle.

Hamster

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