Top 10 Perfect Pocket Pets You Might Want to Have
By Editorial Staff
Can’t live without them, sometimes can’t live with them: pets. No one can deny that dogs are man’s best friend and that cats are purrfectly precious. However, there are still so many pet options you can consider having in your homes. Here, you will learn about different pocket pets that you might like.
However, a busy schedule can make it difficult to find the time to devote to a creature dependent on routine walks or meals. Not to mention landlords who aren’t fond of large dogs or cat litter boxes littering their rentals. Don’t fret!
Not all hope is lost. Consider pocket size pets that are low maintenance but just as loving as dogs and cats – in their own unique way. Here are my choices for the top ten perfect pocket pets:
10. Chinchillas
![chinchilla](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/chinchilla.jpg)
These little creatures, about the size of squirrels, are active and require plenty of exercises. Their teeth need to be worn down constantly with chew toys. To keep their fur clean chinchillas need dust baths with special dust made of fine pumice. Their dense fur retains moisture, so water baths are an absolute no. Chinchillas cannot sweat and need environments below 80°F (25°C) so they don’t overheat. They also have sensitive GI tracts so a well-maintained diet is necessary.
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Still, want a chinchilla? It’s up to you to decide if this high-maintenance pet is worth the money and effort.
9. Sugar Gliders
![sugar_glider](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sugar_glider.jpg)
Much like the ferret, sugar gliders have scent glands located around their faces as well as on their bodies. Although not as pungent, these scent glands are used primarily for marking territory. In other words, sugar gliders like to urine mark their territories. With the proper diet, neutering and cage clean up your sugar glider won’t have a noticeably strong odor and will be less likely to mark territory.
8. Ferrets
![ferret](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/ferret.jpg)
Ferrets may be loveable, but their pungent odor deters many potential owners. Mammals have musk glands to identify and communicate with other – ferrets in particular have anal scent sacs and musk glands around their faces. Humans have adapted to the common scent of cats or dogs, but the ferret smell often catches new owners by surprise. Many ferret owners find ferret shampoos and deodorizers helpful. Over time your nose will grow accustomed to the ferret scent, but until then expect your eyes to water around your new friend.
7. Rabbits
![rabbit](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/rabbit.jpg)
Rabbits need an appropriately sized, well-ventilated cage or hutch to hold a litter box, hay bin and food container while giving them room to hop and stretch horizontally and vertically. Buy a rabbit leash and you can even take your bunny for a walk outdoors – more likely you’ll sit and read while your rabbit nibbles the grass around you before “flopping out,” lying down. That said rabbits need plenty of exercise and veggies to stay healthy. Watch your little nibbler carefully while out of its cage or you may find gnawed table legs, books, baseboard molding and dangerous chewed cords. But give your rabbit a few carrots – or bananas, or pineapples or anything really – and you’ll have a devoted furry companion.
6. Birds
![lovebirds](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/lovebirds-300x199.jpg)
Birds love to chatter and are fascinating to observe. Canaries and finches are good birds for beginners and can entertain with their chirps and songs. Little parakeets are small, beautiful and bond with their owners. The whistling Cockatiel parrot, a larger bird, has a strikingly powerful whistle. Or perhaps a pair of lovebirds is more appropriate for you and your sweetheart.
Although small bird cages don’t take up much space, the area surrounding their home is prone to have a mess of birdseed, feathers and droppings. For little creatures, birds are extremely messy. This is one of the perfect pocket pets for you.
5. Turtles
![turtle](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/turtle-300x195.jpg)
The turtle must have specific food and a turtle habitat with enough light, shade and moisture while remaining at a specific temperature.
The drawback of a pet turtle is the hibernation. Turtles that hibernate usually do so in the fall and re-emerge in the spring. Disturbing a turtle’s hibernation cycle could cause liver disease and be fatal.
4. Hedgehogs
![hedgehog](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/hedgehog.jpg)
Hedgehogs are defined by their spines which are actually hollow hairs stiff with keratin. Don’t fear the spines of a hedgehog because they are neither poisonous nor barbed and cannot come out like porcupine spines – except for “quilling.”
Hedgehogs are low-maintenance and clean pets. Their curiosity makes them quick to adjust to their owner. Check your state laws before buying a hedgie because they are illegal in a few U.S. states.
3. Hamster
![hamster](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/hamster.jpg)
The downside to the little fur balls is that they are fragile. Although hamsters are great pets for young children, they require supervision at all times. Hamsters need lots of stimulation but tend to exercise during the nighttime since they are nocturnal. To top it all off, that little ball of cuteness doesn’t have a long life expectancy.
2. Guinea Pigs
![guinea-pig](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/guinea-pig-300x200.jpg)
Like Rodney, the outspoken guinea pig in Dr. Doolittle, guinea pigs have a variety of personalities. Most tend to be timid and as such don’t get into trouble quickly, allowing you plenty of time to avoid potential problems. Others are affectionate and may give you a hello whistle upon your approach. One drawback to guinea pigs is that they do much better in pairs or groups. Lone guineas suffer from stress and depression. It is even illegal to sell lone guinea pigs in Sweden.
Keep your guinea pig amused with toys and treats and they’ll shower you with affection. Makes you wonder how some people can stand to eat these furry little pals.
1. Fish
![goldfish](https://lb.catalogshub.com/info/bestof/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/goldfish.jpg)
Fish owning is a hobby to some and experts spend a pretty penny to upgrade their tanks to wall-length aquarium habitats full of exotic and colorful fish like koi, angelfish, and Arowana – at a whopping $80,000. Larger aquariums require much more maintenance since exotic fish are fussy and need to have perfectly regulated environments to survive. Goldfish also make ornamental pets in enclosed fish-friendly aquatic environments.
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Simply put – fish are the easiest pet to own and with the right care, even a goldfish can live for ten years!