So I have one more blog about pets before I move onto the summer season. This month, I would like to talk about mammals.
Photo by Kelli O'Brien
These are obviously the popular choice for a pet; cats and dogs are the most popular ones. There are other mammals that make great pets and some that do not. Again, I stress this with any pet: Do your research! In my opinion, the best non-traditional mammal pets are often the ones that give people the creeps…RATS! They are wonderful pets and let me tell you why.
First off, they are a great starter pet for children. They require minimal care and do not live very long, so if the child loses interest parents are not stuck with an animal they did not want for an extended period of time. Also, rats form strong bonds with their owners and are easily trained. There are also guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters, which are similar to a rat in care, but can be temperamental. Another good mammal pet is a rabbit, but you need to make sure you have enough space to support one. In fact, I have many friends that have rabbits and have trained them to use a litter box!
Photo by Helen Dishaw
Now let’s talk about the not-so-good options for a mammal pet. Ferrets can be great, but can require a lot of care. Chinchillas are beautiful, but they are nocturnal and really do not like to be held. The oil on our skin makes a chinchilla feel gross! Then there are more exotic pets, such as kinkajous and sugar gliders. These animals are very cool, but they can become aggressive if not properly trained, require a lot of care and can live a long time. Having a wild animal as a pet is illegal, so don’t think about a squirrel or a chipmunk, either. They do not take well to becoming domesticated and can be a safety risk.
Lastly, I get this question all the time: “Can I get a monkey as a pet?” No. It is illegal and dangerous. Monkeys need specialized care and socialization that we cannot give to them as pet. I hope you enjoyed my blogs about pets over these past few months. Keep an eye out for blogs about summer season, which I am getting very excited about!
- Kenny Nelson, Education Animal Programs and Training Coordinator
