Top Ten Apartment Pets

Living in an apartment and having a pet that fits your personality can be hard at times, especially if the landlord only allows certain types of animals. Picking the right kind of animal for the small space you have can be hard if you don't have an idea of all the different kinds of pets you can have. Here are ten different animals that make great pets for people who live in an apartment.

Hamsters

If you want something small, warm and fuzzy as a pet, hamsters are just the thing. If you don't have a lot of time during the day because of work, then a hamster will work well for you. For the most part hamsters are nocturnal and sleep all day. They require little attention during the day but when they wake up they will want to come out and spend some time with you. So only get a hamster if you have the time to spend with them. There are several types of hamsters, Dwarf, Teddy bear and long haired are just a few of the choices to pick from.

Gerbils

Gerbils make good pets for people who want to keep more than one pet in a cage. Gerbils are social animals and will do better with a cage mate. Getting two gerbils at the same time will make the transition easier for them when they come home with you. They make good pets because you can leave them alone during the day if you are working and they are ready to come out and play whenever you are. Gerbils are quiet animals but you may hear them stomping their feet in their cage at times, this is quite normal.

Rats

Having a rat or better yet a pair of rats, takes a little more commitment than some other small furry animals. Rats require quite a bit of attention, care and love everyday. They are social animals and will not be happy if left alone in their cages for long periods of time. Having a rat means you will have to spend time with him and let him spend time with you out of his cage. It's also better to have two rats in a cage as they do better in pairs. Rats are very affectionate and should only be adopted if you have the time to give to them.

Guinea Pigs

These animals are just as cute and loveable as the other small furry animals you can adopt, but they don't require quite as much attention. They like to come out and get held, but they are also perfectly happy being in their cage. Guinea pigs do make little squeaky noises when they are happy, excited, playing and pretty much any other time. Having many guinea pigs in a cage and hearing them squeaking might make you think you are listening to aliens from another planet talking with one another.

Hermit crabs

Having a Hermit crab is an easy an inexpensive way to bring a little exotic animal into your life. They are also a good first pet for small kids, if you make sure children are supervised at all times so they don't hurt the animal or get pinched by its claws. Having several different shells in the tank for the animal, will make watching him more fun when he changes the shell he lives in. The environment he lives in is easy to take care of and you can get creative with his surroundings. Buying painted or decorated shells for him to switch to, are just some of the things you can do with them.

Turtles

There are several types of turtles you can pick from as well as different sizes. Picking the right type and size and knowing how long they will live as well as how big they will get will help you figure out which one to get. For the most part, turtles require a small space and little maintenance to survive and flourish. Knowing how to take care of the turtle and what you will need in order to keep him healthy and happy before you get him will help you take care of him.

Geckos

When you just have enough space for a small cage or animal, a terrarium often makes a great choice. Geckos don't require a lot of time outside of their home, so they are great pets for people who don't have the time to spend with them but still want an animal. They are fun to watch and can be left alone most of the day. They will tolerate being lifted out of their homes as long as you are gentle with them.

Rabbits

Rabbits are a lot of fun to have, but do require a bigger space in which to put their cage. They also like time outside of their cage, but that can be messy as some rabbits will defecate and leave pellets wherever they are playing. Rabbits will jump, hop and like to play when they come out.

Mice

Mice make great first pets for kids as well as interesting pets for anyone who's ever wondered what it would be like to have a mouse. They can live by themselves or with other mice. As long as they have toys in their cage they are happy to stay inside and play. They will come out and you can handle them, but they will constantly try and get down and they are so small, they can easily get lost or hurt if dropped.

Iguanas

If you are looking to get an animal that will be around for a while, then an iguana is a great pet. They live for a long time. Many will live for 15 years or more and can get over six feet long. Making sure you have room and time for such a pet is essential. The cute little animal you see in the shop isn't what you will end up with after he has grown. Many iguanas get aggressive when they get older and bigger, so make sure you know how to care for one before you get it.

No matter what kind of pet you adopt, you should make sure you have the space, time and are committed to giving them a good life.