Whether you want to find out more about an animal you already have in mind for a pet, or simply browse the animals listed on the Best Bets for Pets wallet card; these pages will offer information you can use to make a smart decision about what kind of pet to get! Although the Best Bets for Pets wallet card isn't all-inclusive, it does provide a general list of the most popular pet types, each of which has its own set of tendencies, habits, and needs. Below you'll find more information about keeping animals listed on the wallet card as pets.
*The information found in these web pages is not intended to serve as a care requirement sheet for each type of animal; rather, it is a list of things you might expect from your potential pet. Before purchasing a pet, it is wise to thoroughly research your future companion’s daily needs in order to ensure its health and safety.
Birds
Fish
Invertebrates
Mammals
Reptiles and Amphibians
Pet birds are a widely diverse bunch – from little canaries and finches, all the way up to turkeys and large parrots, this group offers a variety of choices. Birds tend to be very social, needing either lots of human attention or a flock of other birds to keep them happy, but not all birds are created equal. Beware – most birds are messy and loud! Read more to see if a bird may be the pet for you!
Parrots
Parrots are a highly intelligent, social group that require lots of attention from their human companion. Many parrots are vocal animals, and some may even be taught to speak a few words. Their vocalizations can be extremely loud so think about what your neighbors might think of your new pet! Larger than other caged birds, parrots need more space, toys and food – expect to spend a minimum of $400 or more a year, depending on the size of your parrot.
Caiques, Conure, Lovebirds, Senegal, African Grey, Amazon, Cockatoo, Eclectus, Macaw
Fowl
Fowl are larger than most caged birds, and prefer to live in flocks, so they need more space than their smaller cousins. They also thrive outdoors – trying to live in a city apartment with a duck is not recommended especially because ducks need water to be happy! Fowl like to spend their day searching for food and scratching the ground, so a potential owner shouldn’t expect these animals to want to cuddle and watch TV with them.
Quail, Chicken, Duck, Turkey
All Other Caged Birds
This category of birds includes several different types. Budgies are great first birds – they do not require as much space as some of the larger birds, and are affectionate companions. Canaries and finches are great pets for people who want to look at their birds, but not necessarily handle them – although they do still require some interaction with their owners. A hand-tamed cockatiel could make a wonderful pet for someone looking for the companionship and intelligence of a larger parrot, but who doesn’t have the space or resources to support one. Remember, like parrots, these birds can live a long time so be prepared to have this type of pet for at least 10 years.
Canary, Cockatiel, Dove, Finch, Parakeet (Budgie)
Fish are great for people who want exotic pets, but don’t have much space to devote to their new companion. It should be noted, however, that owning an elaborate tank of fish can be both time-consuming and expensive – and in this case, smaller doesn’t necessarily mean cheaper or easier! Some types of saltwater fish may be associated with conservation issues.
Freshwater Fish
Freshwater fish can be great for first-time pet owners. Some, like bettas (Siamese fighting fish) or goldfish may not even need filtration systems, with proper water care. Other fish will need some sort of water filtration and aeration system, which can be expensive. An added bonus is that once a tank is established, yearly costs are relatively low.
Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Goldfish, Guppy, Tropical freshwater fish
Saltwater Fish
Saltwater fish come in many varieties – some of which may be very expensive. Saltwater tanks need close maintenance to ensure the proper level of salinity – too much salt, or too little, can be lethal for the delicate fish that call the ocean their home! Also, be alert to possible conservation issues associated with certain types of coral reef-dwelling fish; some of the methods for collecting these fish from the wild are damaging to their habitat, and causing increasing coral bleaching. Ask for captive bred fish too – the more the demand for these animals, the greater the supply will become!
Tropical saltwater fish
Invertebrates are a large group which includes insects, arachnids (spiders and scorpions), and millipedes. Though often invertebrates are low maintenance, they require specialized care such as misting with water and so people considering owning invertebrates should make sure to research care for the specific pet they wish to get. Invertebrates are less interactive than some of the other pet options so if you're interested in a companion this may not be the right pet for you. Some also have conservation issues.
African millipede, Hissing cockroach, Scorpion, Tarantula
Generally people are more accustomed to keeping mammals as pets, most commonly cats and dogs, and know more about their daily care. A defining characteristic of mammals is that they all have fur. This quality sometimes makes a mammal more appealing as a pet because they look cuddlier. Be careful though, choosing a pet solely based on appearance can be a mistake. On the other hand, mammals do come in a wide variety of sizes, allowing for suitable pet choices for both urban dwellers and suburbanites.
Domesticated
Domesticated mammals by and large make good pets. The process of domestication makes them easier to handle than wild animals and their smaller size often means they require fewer provisions than other animals. In fact, the smaller stature of some domesticated mammals can make them ideal pets for people living in cities. These animals range greatly in the amount of care needed however, so think carefully about which domesticated mammal best fits your lifestyle.
Cat, Dog, Gerbil, Guinea pig, Hamster, Rabbit
Farm Animals
Though they are also domesticated, farm animals require more space than your average pet and have unique care needs. Cleaning and care for farm animals is a more involved process and often these animals come with there own set of smells, so if you don’t like the farm smell, these pets may not be for you. Farm animals can be kept in stalls in the city and some people own pot-bellied pigs which they paper train and keep in their house, but for the most part these animals do not make good pets for a city-dweller.
Goat, Horse, Pig, Pony
All Others
This is a very large and diverse category. It includes both mammals that are relatively tame and mammals which may seem like good pets but can prove difficult to care for or are temperamental. Most of the animals which are included on this list require less space and can therefore be kept comfortably in a house or apartment.
Mouse, Rat, Chinchilla, Degu, Ferret, African hedgehog, Sugar glider
Reptiles and amphibians can make good pets but require specialized care and will not remain healthy if the owner is not well informed about their needs. Because they are ectothermic (get their heat from their environment), they must have heat sources in order to raise their body temperature and need full spectrum lighting or exposure to sunlight for proper body function. They also have unique diets and often have to be fed live animals such as mice or crickets. These pets are not for the faint of heart. Reptiles are not affectionate so if you are looking for a buddy, this may not be the pet for you. Many reptiles and amphibians also have significant conservation issues.
Snakes
Snakes are very popular reptilian pets, and for good reason. Although they may be not warm and fuzzy, most are very intelligent and interactive animals. Snakes are also delicate animals that need vigilant care and handling, but can be rewarding pets as well. Potential snake owners should keep in mind that their slithering friend may need to be fed live prey, but should never be left alone with a live meal – snakes can be injured by the mice or rats if they are not able to kill their food quickly.
Ball python, Corn (rat) snake, Garter snake, King/milk snake, Ribbon snake, Water snakes, Boa constrictor, Large pythons
Turtles
Some species of turtles and tortoises can make great first-time pets for owners who are looking for relatively low-maintenance animals. Unlike snakes, turtles are herbivorous – they eat plants – so can be fed easily and painlessly, although they do require vitamin supplementation for a healthy complete diet. Beyond the initial expense of the pet, most turtles are relatively inexpensive to keep. Beware, though – turtles can live for a long time, so owners who are not looking for a long-time companion should research potential turtles carefully. Keep in mind, some species of tortoise can reach very large sizes and aquatic turtles require a tank with water and basking spots. Many turtles and tortoises also have significant conservation issues.
Egyptian tortoise (small), Hermann’s tortoise (small), Hingeback tortoise (small), Red foot tortoise (small), Star tortoise (small), Aquatic turtles, Burmese tortoise (large), Leopard tortoise (large), Spur thigh tortoise (large)
Lizards
Smaller lizards, including geckos and anoles, can make good house or apartment pets because they can be easy to care for and live comfortably in a terrarium which does not take up much space. Some lizards, such as chameleons, are perceived as good pets but can prove to be very fragile outside of their natural environment. These lizards require an owner who knows a lot about their specific care. Many lizards have also significant conservation issues.
Gecko (fat-tailed, leopard), Anole (American chameleon), Bearded dragon, Small monitor lizards, Uromastyx, Chameleon, Iguana (common green), Large monitor lizards
Amphibians
Amphibians make good pets for herp enthusiasts who are interested in a smaller pet – although that doesn't necessarily mean they need less space. Depending on the species, some amphibians need lots of filtered freshwater, or special substrates designed to retain moisture. Because amphibians absorb minerals and nutrients through their skin, most should not be handled regularly and when they are handled, it should be with gloved hands. Many amphibians also have significant conservation issues.
Fire-bellied toad, Horned frog, Mantella, Poison dart frog, Salamander/newt, Tree frogs
