5 adorable pets to have apart from cats and dogs
News Desk | Mar 26, 2025, 15:36 IST
Pets bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love to their owners. While cats and dogs are popular choices, many unique pets are equally rewarding and affordable to care for. Freshwater fish offer relaxation, guinea pigs thrive on companionship, and parrots bring intelligence and social interaction. African Greys form deep bonds with owners, while rabbits are affectionate and playful.
Having pets is an experience of a lifetime. From companionship to unconditional love, many pets offer this and much more to their human owners. When it comes to owning pets, cats and dogs are the most common animals people often have. However, depending on their breed, some cats and dogs can be expensive to have as pets due to their specific dietary and grooming needs, care, and more. If you are looking for unique pets that aren't too expensive to keep, then check out this list:
1. Freshwater fishes
Keeping freshwater fish as pets is a rewarding and relaxing experience. Fish tanks add beauty to any space, and they also crate a soothing environment especially if they are decorated with real plants. Freshwater fish, like Betta fish, Goldfish, and Cichlids, are relatively easy to care for. These fishes require proper filtration, good water quality, regular tank maintenance, and a balanced diet to thrive. Also, watching fishes swim can help one destress and relax, making fishkeeping a great hobby.
2. Guinea Pig
Guinea Pigs are small, cute, furry creatures to have as pets and they have an average lifespan of 5-7 years. These social rodents are quite affectionate and easy to care for. They like companionship, and so they should ideally be kept in pairs. Guinea pigs need a spacious cage, fresh hay, vegetables, and a vitamin C-rich diet for good health. Their friendly nature makes them great companions for humans.
3. Parrots
Keeping parrots as pets can be a joyful experience for many. They are intelligent, social birds and they love interacting with their owners. Many parrots-- including Budgies, Cockatiels, Ringneck Parrots-- can even mimic speech and learn to do simple tricks. For parrots to live a happy and healthy life, they need a spacious cage, a balanced diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and lots of mental stimulation through toys and training. Wit proper care, some parrots can live for decades.
4. African Grey
One of the most intelligent parrot species to keep as pets are the African Grey. They have a great ability to understand and mimic words. These birds are emotionally sensitive, and this makes it extremely important for them to have social interactions for constant mental stimulation. African Greys are also known to have deep bonds with their owners. For them to live a happy and long life, they need a spacious cage, a nutritious diet, and plenty of toys to play with. These amazing birds can live for 40-60 years with proper care.
5. Rabbits
Rabbits are small, furry, and adorable animals to have as pets. They are playful, affectionate, intelligent, and can also be litter-trained-- which makes them make great indoor pets.
1. Freshwater fishes
Betta fish
Keeping freshwater fish as pets is a rewarding and relaxing experience. Fish tanks add beauty to any space, and they also crate a soothing environment especially if they are decorated with real plants. Freshwater fish, like Betta fish, Goldfish, and Cichlids, are relatively easy to care for. These fishes require proper filtration, good water quality, regular tank maintenance, and a balanced diet to thrive. Also, watching fishes swim can help one destress and relax, making fishkeeping a great hobby.
2. Guinea Pig
Guinea Pigs are small, cute, furry creatures to have as pets and they have an average lifespan of 5-7 years. These social rodents are quite affectionate and easy to care for. They like companionship, and so they should ideally be kept in pairs. Guinea pigs need a spacious cage, fresh hay, vegetables, and a vitamin C-rich diet for good health. Their friendly nature makes them great companions for humans.
3. Parrots
Keeping parrots as pets can be a joyful experience for many. They are intelligent, social birds and they love interacting with their owners. Many parrots-- including Budgies, Cockatiels, Ringneck Parrots-- can even mimic speech and learn to do simple tricks. For parrots to live a happy and healthy life, they need a spacious cage, a balanced diet of seeds, fruits, and vegetables, and lots of mental stimulation through toys and training. Wit proper care, some parrots can live for decades.
4. African Grey
African Grey
One of the most intelligent parrot species to keep as pets are the African Grey. They have a great ability to understand and mimic words. These birds are emotionally sensitive, and this makes it extremely important for them to have social interactions for constant mental stimulation. African Greys are also known to have deep bonds with their owners. For them to live a happy and long life, they need a spacious cage, a nutritious diet, and plenty of toys to play with. These amazing birds can live for 40-60 years with proper care.
5. Rabbits
Rabbits are small, furry, and adorable animals to have as pets. They are playful, affectionate, intelligent, and can also be litter-trained-- which makes them make great indoor pets.