Not everyone is a fan of cats and dogs, but that doesn’t mean your family has to miss out on the joy of having a pet. There are plenty of other wonderful animals that can make just as great companions, whether your family prefers something smaller, quieter, or just a little different. In this list, we explore 10 fantastic pet options that are perfect for families who want to welcome a lovable new member into their home—without the fur and fluff of traditional pets. From low-maintenance reptiles to quirky critters, there’s a perfect pet out there for every household!
Fish
Yes! Fish are beautiful and there is a long list of fish that you can pet and enjoy as they swim around your aquarium and play. They are hypoallergenic and super clean so you and your household will be safer and cleaner. Once you get a good tank that you can fit in your house, a filtration system and a few basics, you are good to go. All you have to do is check the water regularly and change it whenever necessary.
A Bunny
Bunnies can stay with you for up to 12 years and as long as you keep them well-fed and comfortable, they will always give you something to smile about. Rabbits are cute and quiet and everyone has to love them because they are just awesome. You need a hutch with a nice hay bed for your bunnies and bunny pellets from your local store. The rest of its food is made up of green vegetables, grass and whatever else your species of bunny likes. Long-haired breeds may need daily grooming but it is nothing you can’t handle. Bunnies are easy to clean after because most of their mess will be in the hutch.
A Parrot
There is no limit to the list of parrots you can keep as pets, all you have to do is get them a comfortable place to play and sleep and give them sufficient room to play. Once they get used to their environment, parrots are super-social pets that can do anything from waking you up in the morning to mimicking sounds around the house. Parrots are also easy to keep because they don’t need too much space and they have a wide variety of foods to choose from. The most recommended are parakeets including cockatiels which are really easy to maintain and have a life span of up to 20 years so they will become part of the family for a long time.
A Hamster
Children love hamsters, but it would be wise to allow them to grow to be eight or older before getting them these awesome rodents. Hamsters are nocturnal so they spend most of the day sleeping, but they won’t shy off from a little bit of harmless play. They love to be groomed and cuddled and they don’t get aggressive so children enjoy having them around. They just need a small cage with comfortable bedding and lots of food.
A Lizard
The uptake of reptiles as pets has gone up over the years and most families prefer little cute and playful lizards because they are easy to maintain. There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to lizards. You can choose from skinks, geckos, chameleons, little dragons among others and all they need is a great enclosure that mimics their natural environment. You have to ensure that the pet you get doesn’t require a special diet or care that you can’t offer. Most of them are omnivores and you won’t run out of food options. Lizards also have long lifespans, so once you create a bond, it will last for a long time. Our top pick is the bearded lizard which enjoys being fed and petted and looks really cute around the house.
A Tortoise
Ever imagined having a pet that will outlive you? Tortoises live for up to 100 years and make great pets because they are slow and quiet and really know how to appreciate the care you give them. They may look docile and vulnerable but tortoises are very strong pets. You have to get them an outdoor enclosure though, and if it gets too cold, then you will have to get them a space indoors. Their diet is also varied and easy to find at local stores. As they grow bigger, they will become too heavy to handle, but they are still easy to maintain.
A Turtle
Turtles are cute and docile pets just like tortoises, especially when they are still hatchlings, but you have to ensure you have done your homework right. Turtles need more space as they grow up and they also need an aquarium that has to be maintained at the right temperature and pH just like a fish. Some turtles can also grow really big so you have to prepare enough room for them. Once you get it right, you will enjoy decades with a turtle and you will love them.
Guinea Pig
Now to the happier side of life; guinea pigs make great pets that can live for up to eight years and really enjoy the company of human beings. They feed on grass, pellets and fresh vegetables and also need to be given enough space to exercise so that they don’t become obese but they are really easy to keep as pets. They are not high maintenance and don’t get shy when handled by children so the whole family will love them. Oh! And they are super-playful.
A Hedgehog
Unlike porcupines whose spikes can be a real nuisance, hedgehogs have softer spines that feel like a brush bristle and don’t get aggressive. African pygmy hedgehogs are one of the easiest animals to pet as they enjoy solitary lifestyles and are nocturnal so they spend most of the day asleep and don’t need much attention. A 5 square feet cate will be enough for them and they enjoy being handled by humans once they get used to you.
Stick Insects
There are lots of insects you can have as a pet, but if you are going go small, then its smart to go cute as well which is why stick insects make such great pets. Insects don’t create a mess, they don’t make much noise and their diet is mostly stuff that you can get every day. Once you have proper housing for them, stick insects will become your companions without demanding too much from you.
