Best Exotic Pets for Apartment Living

Introduction

The animals which are not generally domesticated or are uncommon are considered as exotic pets.  A lot of people choose to opt for an exotic animal as a pet. This is because they want to try something new, instead of having dogs and cats as pets, or to have fun. However, it is not easy to take care of these animals. Some of these animals are not friendly, some are nocturnal, and others require a large area to freely roam around. Taking care of them is expensive, so a lot of people decide against it.

However, there are some exotic animals which can fit into an apartment quite easily. These animals can live in a cage if required, do not smell much, social with others and easier to provide. They can play with children and are not very destructive or aggressive towards others.

Exotic pets

This is the list of exotic animals which can be considered as pets even if you are living in an apartment:

1. Hedgehog

Hedgehog, a member of subfamily Erinaceinae, tops the list because it is easiest to take care of them. They are neither rodents nor they are porcupines. However, they are not social to other hedgehogs, which is why there must be one hedgehog in an apartment. Their lifespan ranges between 5 to 7 years. Their diet is simple, composed of high-quality prepared food and fruits and insects.

They are easier to tame despite being somewhat temperamental. They are children-friendly and do not require much space. The only downside is frequent cleaning of their feces. These animals are very popular among people as exotic pets in an apartment. 

2. Rabbits

Rabbits are cute exotic animals are perfect to live in an apartment. They are very social animals but don’t think of holding them often. They are always happy when they near their human companions. They are quite popular as a pet too. They can be litter trained with some time and effort. It is important to let them out of their cage and time freely in the house. Rabbits like to chew and dig and they can be trained to behave well.

Make everything rabbit-proof to prevent any future damage. You must spay and neuter a new rabbit before adopting it into your home for health reasons and cut down their territorial marking behaviour.

3. Hamsters

The third position in the list goes to the small, cute looking and cuddly hamsters. You can hold them in your hands and they are a good alternative to cats or kittens. These little animals are usually indoor pets and are kept in cages. They are generally nocturnal but they can be tamed with some effort. They do not require spaces as well. Their cage should be cleaned on a regular basis. Their diet is very simple and it is not expensive to take care of them. It is quite entertaining to watch their playful activities in their cage.

Their lifespan ranges from 2 to 3 years, perfect for those who are not looking for long-living pets. It is important to spay and neuter them before adopting a new hamster for health reasons. Like rabbits, hamsters are also quite popular pets among people living in an apartment.

4. Guinea Pigs

The cute little guinea pigs are extremely social and easy to handle. While looking for food, they make cute loud wheeking noises. They are not always vocal, but they are also not as quiet as other pets. They need a large cage and seeks the company of other guinea pigs. Therefore, it is best to keep them in same-sex groups.

Similar to other pets, guinea pigs also need time to socialize, explore, and play outside their cage. They do not require any special diet and it is quite easy to take care of them. They do not require any special and inexpensive care at all. This is why a lot of people tend to choose them over other animals as a pet.

Conclusion

These are some of the popular exotic animals which can live in small spaces perfectly. Hedgehogs, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs are small, cute animals which can reside in your small apartment. Some of these animals are social while others are not. However, all of them are popular choices among people as pets.

These animals do not take much of your time and effort. You can make them litter-trained with some effort. They do not require any special and expensive diet, a simple diet will be enough. Make your apartment pet-proof to prevent any damages. Especially, do this if you want to adopt a new rabbit in your home, as they tend to dig and the things. It is important to spay and neuter them for health purposes.