Source: living.greatpetcare.com

3 Unexpected But Fun Family Pets

When buying a family pet, it’s no surprise that most families think of a dog or cat. While an excellent addition, why not consider these three exciting pets with a difference?

1. Chickens

Source: thehappychickencoop.com

Keeping chickens as pets can be a fun and unique addition to any family. Not only are they full of personality and sass, but they also offer a range of benefits for their owners.

Education: For children, having chickens can provide an educational opportunity to learn about where their food comes from and how it’s produced. This can help foster a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature and the environment.

Fresh Eggs: For those who love eggs, owning chickens ensures a steady supply of fresh eggs. You can even monitor the chickens’ diet and ensure they are free-range and healthy.

Exercise and Outdoor Time: Chickens must be taken care of and require daily attention. This means that their owners need to spend time outdoors, providing physical activity and fresh air.

Reduced Stress: Taking care of chickens can be a calming and relaxing activity that reduces stress and anxiety. The repetitive tasks of feeding and caring for them can provide a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

Entertainment: Chickens have unique personalities and are full of surprises. Their silly antics and quirks can bring joy and laughter to their owners, making them an entertaining addition to the family.

Overall, keeping chickens as pets can offer a fun and unique experience for families. While there are some challenges that come with owning chickens, the benefits of having fresh eggs, educational opportunities, and a source of entertainment make it a rewarding experience for those who are up for the challenge.

Pros:

  • Education – Particularly for children, having chickens is a great way to educate your child, nieces, and nephews on how they can produce their own food.
  • Eggs – If you want fresh eggs, you’ll have them in good supply when keeping hens.

Cons:

  • Loud –  The clucking a chicken makes is not for everyone or every family. If you’re considering putting some chickens in your backyard, prepare for extra noise and be mindful of neighbors.
  • Clean – You’ll need to set aside time to give their home a decent sanitizing and cleaning – often. Make sure to research how to stop chickens from pecking others to eliminate constant feather clean-up.

2. Hedgehogs

Source: barks.org.uk

It’s been proven that bonding with animals aids children’s development. Children also rank pets as an essential happiness factor in their lives, so make their pets extra memorable by going with a hedgehog!

Endearing Companion: Hedgehogs are quiet and calming animals that make excellent companions for introverts and those who prefer a more low-key pet. They are generally peaceful and easy-going, making them ideal for homes that are quieter and more relaxed.

Night Owls: Hedgehogs are most active at night, making them a perfect pet for those who are night owls and enjoy staying up late. This unique aspect of hedgehogs provides an opportunity for bonding and interaction with a pet that is awake when their owners are.

Stress Relief: Spending time with hedgehogs has been shown to reduce stress and improve mood. Taking care of hedgehogs provides a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, and the peaceful and calming nature of these creatures can help soothe and relieve anxiety.

Development: Bonding with animals has been proven to aid in children’s development, and hedgehogs make a unique and memorable pet option for kids. They provide opportunities for children to learn about responsibility, caregiving, and animal behavior.

Ultimately, keeping hedgehogs as pets can provide a range of benefits, including being a calming companion, providing stress relief, aiding in children’s development, and being a fun and unique addition to any family. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hedgehogs may not be suitable for all families, as they can become stressed by loud noises and require ample space to roam.

Pros:

  • Endearing Companion – Hedgehogs are excellent companions for the world’s introverts. They are generally quiet and calming animals that suit those who don’t desire or anticipate the loudness of chickens.
  • Excellent for Night Owls – Typically, hedgehogs are active at night, so for those nocturnal humans who come alive at night, hedgehogs are a lovely addition.

Cons:

  • Not for most kids – Hedgehogs may become stressed by loud noises, so if your home is happy but loud, that may not be a healthy setting for a hedgehog. We recommend waiting until children are twelve years old before investing in this unique creature.
  • Not for small spaces – Hedgehogs need ample room to roam, so if you can’t provide plenty of space, it’s best to choose a different pet.

 3. Iguana

Source: youtube.com

Captive iguanas often die quickly when not properly cared for, so if you’re considering a reptilian addition to the family, take note of how to care for it properly.

Keeping iguanas as pets can be a fascinating and educational experience for families and individuals interested in reptiles. These unique creatures offer several benefits that make them a great pet option.

Long-Term Companion: Iguanas have a long lifespan, with some living up to 20 years, making them great long-term companions for pet owners. This extended lifespan allows for a strong bond to form between pet and owner, providing years of enjoyment and fulfillment.

Easy to Feed: Being herbivores, iguanas are easy to feed and don’t require the unpleasant feeding of live prey, such as mice, as some other reptiles do. This makes them a great pet option for those who are uncomfortable with the idea of feeding live animals to their pet.

Educational: Keeping iguanas allows pet owners to learn about reptile behavior, nutrition, and husbandry. This can be a great way to educate children and adults alike about these unique creatures and their place in the natural world.

Low Maintenance: Unlike many other pets, iguanas are relatively low maintenance and don’t require extensive grooming or daily attention. This makes them an excellent option for those who are looking for a pet that doesn’t require a lot of time or effort to care for.

Pros:

  • Easy to feed – Being herbivores, they are easy to feed and don’t require the unpleasant feeding of mice, as snakes do.
  • Life span – With ages of up to 20 years, iguanas are long-term pet companions.

Cons:

  • Not for cuddlers – Iguanas don’t like to be touched, so if you want a pet to cuddle, iguanas are a no-go.
  • Size – They may start small, but iguanas can reach lengths of 1.25-1.8 meters long, so if you’re after a small addition to the family, iguanas aren’t going to suit.

Final Thoughts

Getting a pet different from the usual cat or dog can make your family quirky and memorable. Chickens, hedgehogs, and iguanas make great pets that would make any pet owner smile!