Whether it's because you have allergies, travel a lot, or just want to be different, you may decide you want a pet other than a dog or cat. However, while it seems that these alternative pets may need less care than a cat a dog, that's not really true. Here are a few alternative pet choices, along with some of the things you need to consider before deciding if it's the right choice for you.
Rabbits
Personality: Rabbits make excellent house pets, and as such, you should let them live indoors. This not only protects them from predators and the elements, it allows them to socialize and show off their friendly and intelligent personalities. They can be litter box trained, so you can allow them to freely roam your house. However, you'll need a cage, dog crate or similar enclosure where it can feel safe, especially when you are not around.
Care and Feeding: Rabbits need at least 3 hours of cage-free socialization and playtime each day. Give them a few soft baby toys or even a paper bag with holes to play with.
Hay is the mainstay of a rabbit's diet. It provides the nutrients it needs and the fiber to aid in digestion. You also need to add daily greens like lettuce and kale to the diet—about 2 cups per 5 pounds.
Considerations: Rabbits need regular brushing especially during shedding. They groom themselves, but ingesting too much hair can cause digestive blockages. You also need to trim their nails or have a veterinarian do it.
Rabbits' teeth never stop growing, so if they are misaligned they can grow too long and interfere with eating. Your vet can trim them as needed.
It's important to spay and neuter your rabbit. Not only does it prevent unwanted litters, it helps prevent them from getting aggressive, spraying, and usually lengthens their lifespan.
Ferrets
Personality: Ferrets are sociable, lively, and often mischievous, so they take a dedicated and understanding owner, who keeps his house ferret-proofed and doesn't mind searching for stolen car keys, cleaning up pillow stuffing and fixing chewed cords. However, the rewards of this sociable and intelligent animal make them a popular pet in many households.
Although they are easily house trained, they should not be given an unsupervised run of the house due to their mischievous nature.
Care and feeding: Ferrets require a secure cage, at least 3 feet long and 2 feet high. They will need several hours of cage-free time daily to interact and play.
Ferrets need a high-protein, high-fat diet and should eat a commercially prepared, ferret-specific kibble. Because of their high metabolism, they should be fed frequently during the day or free-fed.
Concerns: Ferrets have many health problems, including cancer, anal gland impaction, heart problems and G.I. blockages, so you will need to have a veterinarian who knows ferrets.
They need annual vaccinations for canine distemper and rabies.
Ferrets can catch colds and flu from humans and pass it back to them.
Russian Tortoises
Personality: The Russian tortoise is probably the most popular tortoise kept as a pet in the US, and one of the best choices for a beginner. Although they are intelligent and interesting to watch and learn about, they are not particularly friendly and don't like to be handled. They are escape artists and will attempt to destroy anything in their way.
Care and Feeding: If you choose a Russian tortoise because you want a low-maintenance pet, choose again.
In warmer climates, they can be housed outside in an enclosure at least 2 feet by 4 feet and at least a foot high. It should be buried at least 6 inches in the ground to prevent them from digging out. They burrow to hibernate, so your soil should be deep enough to cover it.
In cool climates, they need to stay indoors, at least in the winter. They need at least a 50-gallon container, such as a rubber tub or a tortoise table from a pet store. You'll need to cover the bottom several inches deep with a substrate such as a soil and sand mix provide UVA and UVB lighting and maintain the heat at 70 degrees in one end and 95 degrees in the basking end.
Russian tortoises are vegetarians and eat mainly broadleaf plants, which you can plant in their enclosure. You should add leafy greens and supplement with calcium.
Concerns: Russian tortoises can live more than 40 years, so it's a lifetime commitment.
They hibernate when outside, so you'll need to provide extra food in summer, and you may not see them for 5 months.
They do have medical conditions such as parasites, nutritional deficiencies, breathing problems and bone issues. These will usually need to be treated by a veterinarian.
For more information and help, consider contacting a professional like those at Pet Medical Center – Full Service Veterinary Care.
