Best pet that isn't a cat or dog?

[hellraid]

I am super baised because I had the pleasure to know the most amazing bunny for 13 years. So social, so kind. So I'd say a bunny. A lot of work. But you can have run outside the cage all day if trained.

[♥ pillowfighter ♥]

I think all of the animals listed are an azing pets! I do have to say, though, smaller animals can sometimes be just as much if not more high maintenance than cats or dogs. Guinea pigs are amazing but you want to have a very large enclosure for them and their food and the bedding is not cheap and needs to be changed out so often. Not to mention you want to get fresh veggies for any small furry friends.

I think rats are very perfect little buddies! Like Guinea pigs, they’re better together so you might want to look into creating that little rattopia!
I have not personally owned a rat but everyone I know who has, has loved them so so much.

I hope you find the perfect friend soon!

[ratanius]

I am super baised because I had the pleasure to know the most amazing bunny for 13 years. So social, so kind. So I'd say a bunny. A lot of work. But you can have run outside the cage all day if trained.

i have to agree!
not only are they very fluffy and sweet, but you'll always have someone to keep you company. of course, being social also means that you possibly should look into them getting them a friend, as long as they tolerate them! (nothings worse than owning two pets that hate each others guts and will injure one another, i swear).

generally speaking, if you do like smaller critters, rats are also an option that come in a variety of sizes and are good natured f(r)iends. suffice to say, i personally think they're less stubborn than bunnies in some ways, but they also can have a temperament of their own. it generally depends on how used to humans they are and how docile their parents were, in a lot of cases, but there's some outliers there. give them a designated area for their "mess" and you (probably) also don't have too worry about finding brown sprinkles all over the spare bedroom, though, i generally would suggest not letting them out of a cage unsupervised, as they can be silly little guys and crave your attention a bit too much. again, if you don't have that much time for them, i'd get them a companion and lots of enrichment so they can keep themselves busy; otherwise they might start to "revolt" out of boredom tbh!

[Aero]

For those who have owned rabbits, are they smelly? I've heard everything ranging from "my sister thinks her rabbit doesn't stink but it totally does" to "it makes your place smell strongly of hay" to "can't smell them at all".

I also really want to have a pet, but I don't have the time/commitment for a dog, and I don't really like cats, which would be the lowest maintenance for sure...

[Clefairy]

I'd recommend maybe a fish? I loved mine, he was a little unexpected moment of happiness when he would recognize me and come to my hand! It also helps me as a depressive person to take care of something and create a rutine around it.

Otherwise I'd say you should just go for rattopia, this comment is totally biased by all the videos I've seen of them and my own wishes of owning one, one day

[Alister]

I'm a big fan of lizards. Of any I've had, the leopard geckoes were the prettiest but the mali uromastyx was the sweetheart of the bunch, I used to take mine out of their tank and let them hang out with me a lot. Super docile. Plus being more of an herbivore meant it was easier to feed since we could just share groceries instead of me having to keep a supply of live insects.

I absolutely LOVE fish as pets and like Clefairy said, it's delightful when they learn to recognize you. My betta begged for treats worse than my dogs. Only caution there, an aquarium can be expensive and high maintenance in that monitoring water conditions and completing weekly water changes is critical to keep the tank healthy. Good if you like routines, bad if you don't want a standing messy chore every week.

I haven't had one myself but I am dying to get a paludarium for a vampire crab (think half aquarium, half terrarium - crabs need a mix of land and water for their home). Just look at this little guy. They're SO CUTE. And they're hilarious at feeding time, I love watching my local fish store try to feed theirs. The crabs will latch onto the tweezers when food is offered and just hold the employees hostage.

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[Erik.]

I'm a big fan of lizards. Of any I've had, the leopard geckoes were the prettiest but the mali uromastyx was the sweetheart of the bunch, I used to take mine out of their tank and let them hang out with me a lot. Super docile. Plus being more of an herbivore meant it was easier to feed since we could just share groceries instead of me having to keep a supply of live insects.

I absolutely LOVE fish as pets and like Clefairy said, it's delightful when they learn to recognize you. My betta begged for treats worse than my dogs. Only caution there, an aquarium can be expensive and high maintenance in that monitoring water conditions and completing weekly water changes is critical to keep the tank healthy. Good if you like routines, bad if you don't want a standing messy chore every week.

I haven't had one myself but I am dying to get a paludarium for a vampire crab (think half aquarium, half terrarium - crabs need a mix of land and water for their home). Just look at this little guy. They're SO CUTE. And they're hilarious at feeding time, I love watching my local fish store try to feed theirs. The crabs will latch onto the tweezers when food is offered and just hold the employees hostage.

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TIL Paludariums are a thing. Absolutely awesome. I've been wanting a riparium for years but paludariums honestly look even cooler. And I didn't know you could house crabs in them, that's a rad idea.

[Maia]

i have had several different pets throughout my life and rats were probably my favourite!
they are a lot of fun and you might be inclined to have a rattopia, but i say embrace it

they are such smart little guys and i had managed to train my one i had tricks and he was easy to litter train c:
made cleaning his habitat a lot easier

i am also a huge fan of birds but they are a big commitment, no matter the type of bird you own
one day i would love to own a pigeon, much quieter than the cockatiels i used to have. but cockatiels are such a fun pet!
just.. very messy critters. and loud lol

[TNK]

I had two rats and they were wonderful social intelligent little -beepbeep-s. Seriously wonderful pets, though make sure you get plenty of enrichment for them.

[monkeh]

My favorite pet hands down that wasn't a cat or dog had to of been a lovebird! They are so adorable and super affectionate when they get close to you.