Seven of the Longest Living Pets

Many people view their pets as extensions to their family and so when their pets pass on they become stricken with grief. Unfortunately death is inevitable and as owners we can not stop it, but we do have the power as owners to choose to bring home pets with higher life expectancy. Pets that live longer will be able to grow with their human families. Below are several pets with high life expectancy rates.

1. Ferrets usually live from 6-10 years and in some cases can live up to 15 years of age. Ferrets are mammals and look a bit like weasels. They are generally very easy to care for. They require a decent amount of space to play and roam in. They make great pets and many of them do not mind being picked up and held. The ferret's personality varies; they can be very mellow to slightly feisty. One thing that seems to remain true for all ferrets is that they have a curious nature. They will dig and crawl, and hide your belongings.

Ferrets and their exotic nature have been given a bad reputation. They are actually banned in the following places in the United States; California, Hawaii, Washington, New York City, and Puerto Rico. They are prohibited in certain parts of Australia, can not be kept as pets in Portugal and are not allowed in Iceland. The bans on these ferrets have to deal with concerns of them having rabies, biting, and escaping only to colonize and harm the native species. These reasons can be easily discredited. Many people own ferrets despite their reputation.

2. Water turtles can live 40-60 years! Turtles are the ideal companions when it comes to picking pets based on their life expectancy. Turtles are not as interactive as say a dog would be but they are pleasant to look at and will acknowledge owners especially during feeding time. Caring for water turtles (red ear slider) can be a bit difficult. Since these turtles live in a lot of water and can grow up to 12 inches, they will need a decent sized tank. These water turtles produce a great deal of waste and so will need their tanks cleaned often. Turtles and other reptiles are known for carrying bacteria as salmonella and for that reason they should not be given as pets to very young children. These turtles will make great pets for children who can responsibly wash their hands after handling them. If you prefer the land version of a turtle you might want to consider buying a tortoise they live just as long and grow to a large size.

3. Some birds have high life expectancy. Parrots can live from 20 to 100 years! Macaws can live up to 60 years and cockatoos can live up to 65 years! There are plenty of birds with long life spans. Birds make great companions but may not be suitable for very young children. When birds get used to their owner they might routinely fly over and rest on their finger or shoulder. Although some of them can chatter a great deal they are pleasant to look at and entertaining. Parrots are pretty intelligent birds that can bond with the owner. Caring for birds is generally easy.

4. Some fish can live from 3-30 years. Angelfish, Armored Catfish, Silver Dollar, Zebra cichlid, and goldfish can live well beyond 10 years. Fish care ranges in difficulty; some fish require moderate maintenance while others require a more difficult level of maintenance. The more exotic the type of fish the harder the care will be. Each fish has its own personality and owners will enjoy watching them in their tanks. As fish spend time with their owner they start to recognize their owner's movements and such. The fish will begin to acknowledge their owner as they move around the area. Caring for fish can also get expensive. The more exotic the fish the more money an owner will have to spend on equipments and supplies.

5. Man's best friend the dog can live 12-14 years. Dogs are a major responsibility and so are best suited for families that are able to commit to caring for them. Dog care can be moderate to expensive depending on the breed. These animals make great companions because they are trustworthy and protective and will bond with their owners. Dogs easily claim their stake as beloved member of the family.

6. Iguanas can live up to 15-20 years. Iguanas make great pets because caring for them is relatively easy. They are pretty mellow and quiet in personality and are non-allergenic. Iguanas can grow up to 8 feet with most of its length being in its tail. These lizards are striking. Some owners even take them outside to show off their unique colors. Cage set up can be around $200 dollars or more but general care after that is pretty simple.

7. Rabbits, these cute little animals can live from 7-12 years. Rabbits have the potential to bond with their owners. They love to play. They are social and intelligent. They are easy to care for but litter training, digging, and biting might take some time to nip in the bud. Initial cage set up can cost $300 and up.

If you are considering purchasing any animal you must make sure that you have the time and money to care for them. The animals that I have mentioned have long life spans which means people who are interested in them will have to commit themselves to caring for them for a great deal of time. Being able to financially support your animal is very important. Animals need to get their routine check ups and will require trips to the vet
when they become sick. Potential pet owners must be certain that they can financially take care of their animals.