Every day the number of people who decide to live in apartments increases, especially in large and medium-sized cities. Among other consequences for daily life, this means that more and more people are interested in knowing which animals are best for apartments.
After all, it’s hard to resist the idea of having a couple who brings joy home, isn’t it? However, it is important to consider several aspects before adopting a pet for an apartment in order to offer a happy and healthy life to the animal. There is no doubt that the space and time required by each species are key factors when choosing the animal that best suits your lifestyle.
- If you live or are about to move into an apartment and want to adopt a best friend.
- Continue reading this new Animal Expert article to find out what are the top 10 animals for an apartment and learn some tips for choosing the ideal animal for your home.
In fact, there are no animals that don’t work! All animals need care to stay healthy and enjoy an excellent quality of life. When a person decides to adopt a pet, they should be responsible for providing them with ideal conditions that promote physical and cognitive development.
Of course, there are animals that need more space or more time from their caregivers. A large dog with a long and abundant fur will usually have to live in a larger space and will require a more laborious care routine than a hamster, for example. However, this small rodent will also need basic care to stay healthy and happy, and will require time and dedication from its caregivers.
Therefore, before creating a pet in an apartment, we recommend that you learn more about the species and look for the conditions and care that will be essential in the day to day.
Small animals are generally more suitable for apartment living because they are easier to maintain and more easily adapt to a reduced environment. However, there are other factors you should also consider when choosing the best apartment animals.
For example, what kind of escort are you looking for? A friend of unconditional loyalty or a more independent partner? Think about your personality and the type of animal that could best suit you. How much interaction do you plan to have with your pet? Are you looking for a friend you can take for a walk, play every day or prefer a quieter animal that takes less time and effort? Please note that some animals, such as fish, will not be able to interact as directly or be as communicative as others due to the limitations inherent in the species.
Also, remember to consider the approximate life expectancy of each species. There are many pets that live a lot, such as turtles, dogs, cats and chinchillas. However, some animals have a much less preferred longevity, such as hamsters, which usually live only 2 to 4 years.
To help you in this conscious choice process, we will make a short list of the best animals for small apartments that can easily adapt to life in tight spaces. See below our selection of 10 animals to have in an apartment:
Read on to learn more about each of them!
Cats are one of the best pets for apartments thanks to the more independent nature and ease of adaptation in small environments. And since every cat has its own personality, you can adopt a cat that suits your lifestyle, as well as educate it to respect the rules of your home.
But remember that, despite their more independent character, cats also need basic care to lead a healthy life, as well as having the care and dedication of their guardians. In Animal Expert we explain how to prepare your home for the arrival of your first cat.
Hamsters are also one of the best animals for apartments, both for their small size and for the simple treatments they need on a daily basis. However, it will be essential to prepare and enrich your hamster cage, as well as maintain optimal hygiene in and around it to prevent your partner from developing one of the most common diseases in hamsters.
Also consider that the life expectancy of a hamster is estimated between 2 and 4 years, depending on the breed. Therefore, they are not a good choice for those looking for a long-lasting pet.
Rabbits can also be great apartment animals, but you should choose a rabbit breed suitable for the space available in your home. Toy rabbits or dwarves can be a great choice for those living in a small apartment.
Ideally, however, your rabbit should be able to leave the cage at least twice a day and have a safe environment in which to move freely and explore its surroundings. In addition, we offer you to know the basic care for rabbits that will help you offer a high quality of life to your partner.
Because of their quiet behavior, turtles can also be great pets for apartments, but again, it will be essential to choose a species suitable for the space and time you intend to dedicate to your new partner. First, look for the size that a turtle can grow into adulthood, as some species can measure up to 20 times more in adulthood than in its first months of life.
Remember also that there are aquatic and terrestrial turtles, and that some species maintain semi-aquatic habits, alternating their environment between water and land. If you choose a water turtle, for example, you should properly prepare the aquarium where your pet will spend most of their life. Terrestrial turtles will need other specific care, in addition to a balanced diet to strengthen their immune system.
Without a doubt, the ferret is one of the best animals for apartments and is gaining increasing popularity in Brazilian households. In addition to looking adorable, ferrets are also full of energy and can love animals when they live in a positive environment.
However, you must provide good environmental enrichment to your ferret so you can exercise and have fun at will. Keep in mind that physical activity will be critical for your ferret to maintain a healthy weight and balanced behavior. Discover the best tips for raising an apartment ferret in this Animal Expert article.
The cuyes are one of the best animals for the apartments as they show a friendly, affectionate and very quiet temperament. In addition, they are small animals that require relatively simple care to maintain good health.
However, you must give your guinea pig a proper diet, as well as enrich the cage and provide a quiet environment where you can freely express yourself and fully develop your physical, cognitive and emotional abilities. With the utmost care, your guinea pig will become an extraordinary companion who will bring a lot of love to your family.
For many years, chinchillas have been mistaken for hamsters or guinea pigs in Brazil, but they are completely different species. Being a small animal, its adorable appearance and its cheerful and affectionate behavior, chinchilla is also one of the best animals for apartments. In addition, it has a privileged life expectancy, which can live more than 20 years in a positive environment.
Are you interested in adopting a chinchilla? So don’t miss our tips on how to raise chinchillas in an apartment and provide excellent nutrition to this lovely pet.
Exotic animal lovers are also included in our list of the top 10 animals for apartments, as small lizards can be good companions for those who live in apartments and are looking for a pet outside the ‘traditional’. If you are new to reptile breeding, you can opt for the leopard gecko, a lizard that is easy to handle and maintain due to its small size and friendly character.
Before adopting an exotic animal as a pet, whether a reptile or any other species, consider looking for species that can breed in captivity in the country or region where they reside. Also, always use shelters, animal protectors or legal breeders to legally adopt an exotic animal. In this way, you make sure you do not collaborate in the trafficking of exotic animals, which subject many species to unworthy living conditions.
Birds can also adapt to apartment living, however, it will depend on you balancing the need for freedom and physical activity with the need to keep them in a cage for safety. Of course, it must also provide complete and adequate nutrition for the different species, as well as keep them safe from pests and diseases.
Personally, I don’t think it’s a good idea to adopt an animal to force it to live in a cage most of the day. So, if you are interested in raising birds, I advise you to choose species that can be educated to live freely within the apartment, such as parrots, parakeets or cockatoos.
In addition to being at the top of the list of animals that care for them, dogs can also be great apartment animals. All you need to do is choose a puppy that adapts to the space available in your home and educate it properly to teach you to respect the rules of the house. There are dogs of all sizes and personalities waiting to be adopted and have the opportunity to receive the affection of a family.
For example, we recommend that you teach your dog to do his needs away from home and to walk properly, as this does (and a lot!) Easier. Maintain excellent hygiene in your apartment and allow you to enjoy the walks with your dog, which will also be essential to offer a good physical activity routine to your best friend.
Tip: Be sure to check here at Animal Expert what are the best dogs for the apartment.
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