Thousands of years ago, cats domesticated themselves, rather than humans putting them in cages. They originally began to live next to, rather than with, humans in a mutually beneficial role. 

Today, there are many breeds of cat that would be suitable for household pets. If you are considering owning a cat to complement your domestic situation, you will want to study the various breeds to find the most suitable house-mate. Some things to consider are:

• The size of the breed, as this informs the amount of space required

• How much attention the cat needs and how long/how often it will be left alone

• The amount of equipment required, e.g., beds, toys, food/water bowls 

• The cost to purchase the cat and required licenses

• Care and feeding requirements — veterinary fees, grooming/bathing schedule

• Activity level and compatibility with the owner’s/family’s activities

• Training – if desired, whether at home or professionally

• Lifespan – some breeds tend to live longer than others

Is there anyone who has never relaxed in front of an aquarium full of saltwater fish? Aquariums have adorned medical waiting rooms for as long as we can remember.  Science has shown that watching the fish and listening to the sounds of the water is a great stress reducer. Many people like to experience this same ambiance at home and have adopted saltwater fish for their own enjoyment.

Saltwater fish make great pets and keeping them is considered to be a wonderful hobby. Of course, care must be taken to ensure that all of the residents of your new aquarium will get along together. As far as their care requirements goes, saltwater fish do require a time and energy commitment. Note that some types of saltwater fish are more appropriate for beginners than others. To find out what you should consider before purchasing an aquarium full of equipment and fish for your home, it is important to understand the relative costs and care requirements.

Some things to consider are:

• The size and number of fish, as this informs the size and of the aquarium required
• How much attention is required to attend to the particular needs of the species
• The amount of equipment required, e.g., aquarium, water pumps and filters, plants and gravel, places to hide, and fish food
• The cost to purchase the fish and required equipment
• Care and feeding requirements — feeding and cleaning schedule
• Activity level and compatibility with the owner’s/family’s activities
• Lifespan – some types of fish live longer than others

While not the cuddly type, snakes can make great pets, even for first-timers. They are generally tame and can tolerate regular handing. As far as their care requirements, snakes do demand a commitment of time and energy. 

Of course, some types of snakes are more appropriate than others for beginners. To find out what you should consider before welcoming your snake to your home, take a look at their relative cost and care requirements:

Some things to consider are:

• The size of the snake, as this informs the size and type of the habitat required

• How much attention is required to attend to the particular needs of the species

• The amount of equipment required, e.g., cage or aquarium, substrate for the floor, sticks for climbing, places to hide

• The cost to purchase the snake and required supplies

• Care and feeding requirements — veterinary fees, cleaning schedule

• Activity level and compatibility with the owner’s/family’s activities

• Lifespan – some varieties live longer than others

For some, the mere thought of owning a reptile scares them. So, why are they so popular among families? The answer, of course, is that they’re smart, loyal, and relatively low maintenance, and that’s a combination that most parents can appreciate.

Aren’t reptiles carnivorous animals with tiny heads and huge teeth? Some are, but still most of these are not overly aggressive, and even less so with socialization. If you’re a fan of these smiling toothy beasts, then you’ve probably been thinking about getting a pet reptile. So, what are the benefits of having a pet reptile? For starters, many require virtually no upkeep, are very low cost to own, make for wonderful pets for kids and teens, and can help children learn about the world around them. Today there are more than 6,000 species of reptiles around the world, and dozens of different species as family pets.

Pet reptiles are very popular today because they look different from so many other pets people have! Many of them are easy to care for. Most can be socialized with human contact so that they don’t bite you when you touch them. They come in different colors and sizes so it’s easier to find one that suits your personality.