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Dogs aren’t for everyone. Here’s what it takes to own some other kinds of furry (and scaly, and feathery) friends.
Cats
Best for: Wannabe dog owners who are pressed for time. Cats can be just as loyal companions, but don’t require walks and can be left overnight without worry.
Costs: Free up to $750 for rare breeds; $200 to $700 per year for basic care
Equipment: Cat box, litter, food, toys
Time Required: 2 to 3 hours weekly for feeding, litter box cleanings and play time.
Life span: Indoor cats: 15+ years; outdoor cats: about 7+ years
Ferrets
Best for:
An energetic homebody. Ferrets require little sleep and are very active for most hours of the day.
Costs: $75 to $250; $300 yearly for care
Equipment: Litter box, cage, food
Time required: 20 hours weekly; ferrets are mischievous animals that like to hide. They need to be watched at all times when out of their cage.
Life span: 11 years
Guinea pigs and rabbits
Best for: Anyone looking for a low-maintenance but still furry pet. Guinea pigs and rabbits are relatively quiet, require daily feeding and need once- or twice-weekly cage cleaning.
Costs: Anywhere from $10 to $100 for rare rabbit breeds; $160 per year for basic care
Equipment: Cage, water bottle, nail clippers
Time required: 2 hours weekly for feeding and cage cleanings
Life span: 6 years
Hamsters
Best for: Busy people. As long as they have a wheel, a clean cage and something to nibble on, they’re happy.
Costs: $5 to $30; $160 yearly for basic care
Equipment: Cage, water bottle, wood shavings, food and exercise wheel
Time required: 2 hours weekly for feeding
and cage cleaning
Life span: 18 months
Iguanas
Best for: Reptile lovers willing to dedicate hours to lizard care. Iguanas require a warm, temperature-controlled room (80+ degrees) and sun exposure up to six times a week. Their strong jaws and sharp claws mean supervision
is a must for homes with kids.
Costs: $10 to $25; $300 a year for care
Equipment: A large cage, a hot rock, and a diet of fresh greens, veggies
and fruits
Time required: 15
hours weekly for feeding,
bathing, handling and sun
exposure
Life span: 15 years
Birds
Best for: In the case of large birds, an adult looking for a lifetime companion: Parrots and macaws can live for decades. All birds crave lots of attention.
Costs: $12 for a finch to more than $800 for an African Grey Parrot; $50 to $300 yearly for basic care
Equipment: Large cage with perches, a light source, daily diet of pellets, fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts
Time required: 7 to 10 hours a week for feeding, cleaning and human interaction
Life span: 5 years for a canary to fifty years or more for Amazons
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