By Chelsea Reed
You’ve heard about dogs, cats, and the occasional horse come up as wonderful animal companions. But there are plenty of other animals, too! In this blog, we’re shining the spotlight on these lesser-known pets. They deserve equal love and attention. Let’s get ready to introduce them!
Get Your Goat
Some folks think about horses and pigs as good “farm” style animal pets. How about a goat? They’re friendly, sociable, and downright cute! President Lincoln once had a pet goat in the White House. Few dairy goats are pets these days, but the Pygmy breed is popular for its smaller size and easy care. They’re best kept in their own shelter with room to feed and play in.
A Frog’s Life
This “ribbety” critter is a more familiar sight in the exotic pet sector. If you live in a small apartment and are hopping to places a lot, a frog is the ideal companion. Frogs don’t need to be handled as much as other pets. They also like to show off their beautiful colors to you in their gorgeous terrarium! Caring for a frog is somewhat like a pet fish, only land-version.
Mouse in the House
Before you squeak and run from this blog, hear us out! Fancy mice make amazing pets. They’re smart fluffy cuties who can be trained to perform awesome tricks. They snuggle and are sociable once they get used to you. Unlike wild mice, fancy mice are nice and clean. You don’t have to worry about them carrying diseases. There’s even an American Fancy Rat and Mouse Association who shows them. So the next time you’re tempted to squeal at pet mice, just think of them as hamsters with tails. Right… hamsters with tails… that’s all…
Winning Over a Tortoise
“Slow and steady wins the race” comes from the wise fable of the tortoise beating the hare. The same is true with a pet turtle. These companions require special care, like an escape-proof outdoor shelter. It must be free of poisonous plants, sharp objects, and other dangers. Pet tortoises and turtles don’t like to be handled. They are intelligent, so they need toys to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors. They also live up to 100 years! It’s not unusual for them to outlive their owners. But with careful research and planning, a tortoise or turtle is a rewarding companion for life. They bond to humans in their own special way. If he stretches his neck out for a head scratch, that’s a huge compliment! He may also ‘bump’ into you or follow you around. Few moments are more heartwarming when your pet turtle makes a point to come find you. Aw, how cute!
Celebrating Unusual Animals in Art
Let’s give a round of applause to these awesome unusual pets. Just like a cat or dog, responsible care of an exotic pet is essential. Seaside Art Gallery’s Animals in Art Show is still going strong until February 22, 2020. Until then, we donate a portion of the sales of artwork featuring an animal to the Coastal Humane Society. We love and appreciate all kinds of animals, from furred to feathered to scaly ones!
Chelsea Reed is a copywriter who writes online content, articles, blogs, and websites from her base in North Carolina.