6 Reasons to Consider an Exotic Pet Over a Traditional One

Have you ever wondered why exotic pets are getting more and more popular each year? Everyone still loves cats and dogs, but some folks have begun to adopt exotic animals, like baby foxes and hedgehogs, as an alternative to traditional animal companions. Millions of people around the world keep pets other than dogs and cats. Their reasons are varied, but many will say that they like the idea of caring for exotic creatures like lemurs, monkeys, alpacas, and mini-cows.

Besides being a great choice for individuals who suffer from common allergies, exotics are a wise choice because they can take up much less space, are educational, don’t require as much maintenance, offer humans a chance to enjoy a unique emotional bond, and tend to be quieter than everyday pets. Consider the following points if you are deciding why you might want to adopt an exotic pet.

1. Less Risk of Allergic Reaction

Vast numbers of humans are allergic to cats and dogs, and end up just avoiding keeping pets due to the related hassles of dealing with allergies. Fortunately, many exotic animals offer their human caretakers a hypoallergenic experience, with no worries about runny noses, itchy eyes, or sinus congestion.

2. Less Space Required

Many of the smaller exotics only require a few square yards of enclosed space for their everyday needs. Others are completely happy and content in a small yard or back porch space. Requirements vary based on the particular pet, but compared to cats and dogs, the most popular exotic animals are fine inside a cage in the home or living in an enclosure in a yard. Frogs, tarantulas, and ball pythons are typical of the types of exotics that anyone can keep in an apartment.

3. The Educational Aspect

Children and adults can learn much about the natural world by researching their exotic companions. Many youngsters are fascinated, and not afraid, of creatures like spiders, snakes, and rats, which makes all three of those inexpensive pets a wise choice for parents who want to teach children about science, geography, and personal responsibility through pet ownership.

4. Special Emotional Bonding

Kids and adults who take care of pets like hedgehogs, hamsters, snakes, potbelly pigs, and others often develop deep, unique emotional bonds with the animals. Nothing against our feline and canine friends, but many families and individuals choose to add an exotic pet to the mix for a more varied emotional experience.

5. Lower Maintenance

Mice, prairie dogs, opossums, and small foxes are just a few of the many exotics that offer their keepers very low maintenance. Unlike large dogs and cats, these unusual pets make loving companions but don’t require frequent oversight, especially when they are in safe, enclosed areas equipped with toys, food, and a comfortable place to sleep.

6. The Noise Factor

If you’ve ever taken care of a puppy or older dog that barks at the wind, a silent or very quiet exotic pet, like a snake or hamster, might be the ideal choice, especially for apartment dwellers. It’s even possible to keep multiple exotics in your home and bask in the silence of caring for beautiful, loving creatures that make little or no noise at all.