11 Animals that adapt to small apartments and live happily as pets

Pets contribute a lot to our lives: they keep us company, entertain us and, at times, are subjects to talk about on our social media. But this affection can seem seemingly impossible if someone lives in small apartments in which a pet could not develop as he would like. But does that mean we can’t have a faithful friend with us? Of course!

O awesome.club created for you a list of 11 animals that can adapt to a small space when the owner’s heart is big.

When it comes to apartments, fish are probably the first choice of pet as they live in the water. But we must keep in mind that choosing an aquarium is not a minor detail, as each species needs more or less space, and water at a specific temperature.

For example, in the case of goldfish, you must make sure that the water is at a temperature between 15 and 22 ºC, so that they feel comfortable in an aquarium of no less than 100 liters. If one of this size is too big for your apartment, you can opt for other fish, such as platy, which can live peacefully in a space containing 80 liters of water and a temperature around 20 to 26 ºC.

If you want to have more than one fish, it is important to understand that not all aquatic animals get along well. Inside the aquarium there is a world where some species are not compatible with others. For example, despite being peaceful, goldfish are picky about food, so living with an omnivorous species such as the platy would make it difficult to care for them. For whatever fish you choose, don’t skimp on accessories like rocks and artificial vegetation to make it feel right at home.

The hamster, in addition to being an adorable miniature, adapts very well to small apartments. But be careful! Its size doesn’t mean your space should also be small.. These animals need to move and feel comfortable, so their appropriate place should be approximately 60×50 centimeters in size. It is necessary to equip it with pebbles, so that the pet can make its nest, sleep and take shelter, and not place it in front of a window with sunlight, because if it receives direct sunlight, your new pet you will run the risk of having a heat stroke.

Don’t forget to put toys for him to exercise, as hamsters tend to be very restless: maybe watching them run until it motivates him to exercise too, why not? Your diet should include cereals and vegetables, and be low in sugar and fat.

The guinea pig adapts perfectly to closed spaces. In fact, it is recommended that you do not leave it outdoors, as it is affected by extreme temperatures, and needs the scent of its owner nearby to feel accompanied. If the hamster’s space needs to be large, in this animal’s case the cage should be even larger, with at least 2.5 meters to make it comfortable.

As for their food, the list of things they can eat is not limited: basically, with the exception of potatoes and onions, guinea pigs consume all kinds of vegetables. It also likes grass, and even clovers, which are a crunchy delicacy for this little animal like lettuce, as well as dry foods: oats and corn. If none of that seems like enough, you can buy special balanced foods for these little creatures.

the rabbits need a lot of care and attention. In fact, your cage should be at least 50×70 centimeters and, as in the previous cases, avoid direct contact with the sun’s rays. Among the accessories that the cage should have are wood to gnaw (so it can wear out its teeth), a towel or a piece of cloth to cover itself in the cold and a tray or corner for its physiological needs.

Rabbits must constantly ingest hay and drink water for their intestines to function properly. For your health, you need to clean your droppings daily, preventing any infection. In addition, the diet includes vegetables such as cucumbers, carrot leaves (it should be noted that the healthy thing for them is the leaves, not the vegetable itself), oregano, mint, Swiss chard and celery. The foods you should discard are garlic, onions and potatoes.

When adopting them, it is best to take them to a vet to have them dewormed and receive correct diet advice, since not everyone eats the same amount of food. This depends on age and structure.

Cockatoos not only need to leave their cages, they need to exercise. Then, for a few hours, let the bird roam around one of the rooms in your house. It is important that you keep in mind that the cage must be large.

the cockatoos are sensitive to loud soundsso they must be in a quiet place, without too much noise
background. So if your neighbors like to play music at full volume until the walls shake, maybe you should consider talking to them… Your eardrums and your pet’s will thank you. They like to eat seeds, rice, oats, sunflowers, walnuts and peanuts. You can buy minerals to provide a healthy diet that will allow your pet to live alongside you for around 14 years.

Parrots are very intelligent and sociable animals, they like to be talked to and petted, so don’t forget to give them a dose of love daily to make them feel loved. If you take good care of it, this bird can live to be around 80 years old. Wow! That’s a long time. Keep the cage clean and place a stone so you can sharpen the beak.

Their diet can vary from fruits, seeds and even insects. Don’t be afraid if one day you are alone at home and you hear someone saying: parrots can make human vocalizations. Maybe you should teach him to say a few words, it would be really funny… For example, that you are the most beautiful person he knows. And you wouldn’t be lying, would you?

If you can have fish, rabbits and birds, of course you can also adopt a dog. But, speaking of purebred dogs, it is advisable to consult a professional, since everyone has their diets and particularities. In the case of chihuahuas, for example, they like to eat a lot and everything, so you need to control the amount of food these little ones eat.

Keep in mind that while some dogs adapt to small spaces, they all need a daily walk. The beagle, for example, is very active, so you need to play with it and go for long walks, as a trip to the corner will not be enough. If you are not an exercise lover, you can get along well with the pug, who, although he must also walk, cannot make physical effort to exhaust himself, but to stay in shape and have fun.

All coexistence requires patience and, in the case of the Chihuahua, we must be very attentive, as he is active and, if he is not educated, he can destroy the home. In the case of beagles, they have a powerful sense of smellwhich often distracts their attention when we try to tame them, so their training can take much longer than other breeds.

Cats don’t need large spaces to be happy, so they can be good companions in a small apartment. They are somewhat picky about their food and generally should not eat sugar, salt, milk, coffee or onions for health reasons. Don’t skimp on toys to stay activesuch as balls, fake mice and dolls.

If you adopt a purebred or stray cat, remember to worm it if it is a month old. If you receive him as a baby and he has not consumed breast milk, consult a professional to advise him to provide colostrum, to prevent any illness and strengthen his immune system.

For starters, it might be important to clarify that tortoises have a long life, so if you want one, keep in mind that with good care, it can accompany you into old age. As for food, it is possible to buy food for them in specialized places: a baby eats every day, while an adult eats three times a week, due to his slow metabolism. It is an animal that likes to eat meat, but it needs vitamins like calcium and phosphorus, so special supplements can be added to the food.

The aquarium where the turtle will live must be large, so that it can move around with ease: the minimum size must be calculated at 40×20 centimeters, with a water temperature between 26 and 28 °C. These animals need sun, and if it is not possible to place them in a sunny place, you will need lights with UVA/UVB rays that allow them to assimilate vitamins and minerals. Keep the aquarium clean and add accessories to make your pet feel at home.

Geckos like heat, so your terrarium should be between 25 to 32ºC. They are nocturnal and easy to care for., but that doesn’t mean they don’t need your attention. Make sure that your place has plants, rocks and a cave (they are animals that like a protected place).

In terms of food, it all depends on the species of animal. They often eat insects like crickets and cockroaches, but also fruit. Make sure your gecko gets all the nutrients it needs for its well-being.

Iguanas are herbivores, so they don’t eat meat: instead, like vegetables and fruits, such as grapes, dandelion leaves, parsley, peas and blackberries. Your diet should be as varied as it is extensive. However, foods that contain a lot of tannin, such as carrots and onions, should be avoided or eaten in small doses.

Your terrarium should measure approximately 80×50 centimeters, with a temperature regulated between 27 and 30 ºC. The interior must have a drinker, stones, artificial plants and a fluorescent tube so that, with the heat, the animal receives vitamin D.

Remember that no matter what pet you choose, your home will be theirs too. Therefore, you must provide all the appropriate comfort and care to improve your quality of life. It is important to speak with a professional to receive accurate specifications about your new friend. It is also essential to consult Ibama to make sure if it is allowed to raise the animal at home, depending on the species you choose.

Share in the comments a photo of your pet and some experience you’ve had with it.