Author: Melissa A Smith

Do you think a fox would be as good a companion as a dog? Photo by Dušan veverkolog on Unsplash Pets Like DogsDogs are often considered the “ideal” pet for many reasons. For many people, they are surrogate children, and for others, they are loyal companions with relatively easy care. Dogs are also very interactive pets—their owners can take them outside and engage in lively play sessions. Are there any alternatives to dogs with similar characteristics? Are there any alternatives to dogs with similar characteristics?Kiran Kichu Traits That Make Pets “Dog-Like”Trainability: Most dogs are easy to train, and they can…

Some people keep squirrels as pets. If you choose to do this, make sure it’s legal where you live first. Photo by Andrey Svistunov on Unsplash Legality of Pet SquirrelsSquirrels are fast and charismatic little rodents that are one of the most commonly observed mammals in the North American wild. Their bouncy, bushy tails give them an appeal that eludes other rodents such as mice and rats. Some people may wonder if squirrels can be kept as pets, especially if they have seen orphaned wild squirrels in need of care. Some people may wonder if squirrels can be kept as…

Some pets in particular, such as exotic pets, smell quite bad. Photo by Steve Tsang on Unsplash Stinky AnimalsWhen it comes to traits that make certain animals desirable as pets, the absence of offensive odors tends to rank pretty high. When looking for a new pet, many people deliberately look for “non-odor” animals—this can apply to the animal’s body odor, environment, or secretions. While most animals have foul-smelling poop, some smell worse than others. Many species have special pheromones that they love to rub or spray in places where you’d prefer them not. Even pets as popular as cats can…

Stripped tenrec nomis-simon CC BY 2.0 Via Flickr Animals Like RatsRodents are one of the most diverse groups of mammals on Earth, and they are also popular as pets for many reasons. Although there are exceptions, such as the capybara, most rodents are smaller, and many adapt easily to life in captivity.Some rodents have characteristics of species they are not related to, such as springhares, which are designed like kangaroos, and Patagonian maras, which resemble small deer. This is thanks to convergent evolution, and subsequently, there are many species in the animal kingdom that are not related to each other…

The "Genetta tigrina"Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons Animals Like CatsDomesticated cats are one of the most popular pets in the world for a good reason: They can be affectionate at times but they are also often lonely, giving their owners time to be alone without extra attention and daily walks that dogs need. People are also attracted to cats because their flat faces, pointed ears, and almond-shaped eyes are considered beautiful and attractive.Other mammals that look like cats but are actually not in the Felidae family are also found in a very limited number of…

Thinking of getting a pet lemur? Here’s what you need to know about buying one."Three lemurs are eating" by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 Can You Have a Lemur as a Pet?Many people dream of having a pet monkey, so it’s no surprise that lemurs, which are also primates, are quite popular exotic pets. These charming animals have beautiful coloring and striking eyes, and they are charismatic enough to have a presence in popular media and wildlife campaigns. This can lead people to wonder how you can have a pet lemur and where they are legal.It…

Sand cats are an increasingly popular exotic cat breed. See which other big or unusual cats were once adopted as pets below!"Close the sand cat" by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 Exotic Cat OwnershipWhile the domesticated cat has lived around humans for thousands of years and is easily one of the most popular pets on Earth, some owners prefer to keep felids that are considered “exotic.” Caring for these unique creatures can bring pride and success as these pets can be very difficult to care for or require specific accommodations.The bond between a person and an…

Let’s demystify finger monkeys!"Spanky’s Baby Pictures (32)" by Todd Money is licensed under CC BY 2.0 What are Finger Monkeys?You may have seen what is often referred to as a “finger monkey,” a very small primate that can literally cling to a human finger, resembling the toys of the same name. Are these adorable little creatures real and if so, do they make good pets?The first answer is yes, the so-called “finger monkeys” are real animals. These smaller New World monkeys are called callitrichids, although there is a catch. The term “finger monkey” is very misleading. All primates are challenging…

The decision to get a fox as a pet is not taken lightly. "Fox yawned" by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 Fox Ownership Questions and Answers Now more than ever, some people are choosing to live out their childhood dream of owning a fox. Wolves are a popular choice of exotic pet because they resemble our beloved dogs, are very personable, and have an adorable appearance. However, some people, when researching these unusual pets, discover that there are many shortcomings in keeping them. Fox ownership is restricted or highly regulated in the US and around the…

Learn about the roots of different types of pet hedgehogs."Long-eared hedgehog" by adwsocial is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Are There Hedgehog Breeds?Hedgehogs are prickly mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae, and compared to other exotic pets, they are very popular. Hedgehog ownership is common enough that commercial food for them can be found in chain pet stores. There are many hedgehog breeders and even hedgehog shows.Often confused as relatives of porcupines or even rats, they are more closely related to moles and shrews. Some species can be considered domesticated. They can be charismatic, lovable, even very messy, pets to own.…