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Alternative pets for children – Pets4Homes
for children Alternative pets Many families simply don’t have the time to devote to vitamin production, unless they are nocturnal. In addition to this, a heat bulb is usually needed to mimic their natural environment. a more demanding pet like Snails a cat or dog. The experts You might be used to seeing snails out and about, at Pets4Homes have but they can make a good pet. The snails most commonly kept as pets are not the common suggested some weird and wonderful small pets that garden snail, but the African land snail, or ‘Achatina Achatina’ to be more specific. While they may be easygoing characters, snails still require some care. are great fun to care for. I f you are thinking about bringing a pet home, the first question you’ll encounter is which animal to bring into the family. Dogs and cats are the most common pets in the UK, with The PDSA estimating that as many as 51% of UK adults in They should have a spacious tank, with a covering of soil, which must be kept damp at all times. These creatures may seem less energetic than other pets, but if you are looking for a calming presence in the home, a pet snail is a good place to look. “Lizards can the UK have at least one. However, there make great are also plenty of other animals who make affectionate companions, if you pets for families are prepared to look past the usual selection of pets. Lizards Lizards can make great pets for looking for a laid-back companion” families looking for a laid-back companion. They are fascinating creatures and some species of lizard can be quite friendly around humans. One thing to keep in mind is that lizards require an extensive amount of equipment to stay healthy. Most lizards will need a large terrarium, lit with a UVB bulb to support
Rats
Rats tend to get a bad rap because of how they are perceived in the wild. You may hear people say that they are dirty and unfriendly, but the reality is that they can make great pets, if kept in the right conditions. Rats are extremely sociable creatures and often like to bond with humans, as well as other rats. However, like many other rodents, this sociability means that rats struggle to thrive by themselves and should always be kept in pairs, so that they can have a friend with them.
Snakes
Another animal which has been given a mixed reputation by popular culture, snakes are known for being a great, low-fuss pet. While they do require a tank to be kept in specific conditions, snakes are generally quiet, hygienic, and totally safe as long as you bring home an appropriate species. Corn snakes are a non-venomous breed commonly kept as pets, and their size means that they are unlikely to pose a risk to children. However, snakes are best suited to a family with older children, who find it easier to respect snakes’ boundaries.
Stick insects
If you are looking for a low-maintenance pet, which may also be educational, stick insects could fit the bill. Stick insects offer the opportunity to teach children about natural camouflage and the way that animals live in the wild. As a small animal, they do not require a huge amount of space and the average lifespan for a stick insect is around a year, making them less of a long-term commitment than animals like dogs and cats, who can live for upwards of a decade, or even twenty years.
Pets4Homes (pets4homes.co.uk) is the UK’s largest online pet marketplace, relied upon by up to 7 million people monthly, and helps rehome over 2,500 animals each day. Founded in 2005 and acquired by Pet Media Group in August 2019, Pets4Homes prioritises responsible practices and works to ensure trust, safety, and convenience for buyers and sellers. Through its focus on safeguarding animal welfare (and ensuring a safe and efficient process for buyers and sellers), Pets4Homes has earned a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot (with nearly 9,000 reviews and counting!).
