10 Popular Exotic Pets Who Make Wonderful Companions
A young girl sitting with a pet budgie
In a world predominantly split between cat lovers and dog people, exotic pets represent an exciting break from the norm (and I say that as a cat parent). That said, while exotic pets can be colorful, interesting, and unique, they typically don't have the same reputation for being affectionate as cats and dogs do - predominantly because most of them don't share the same long history of domestication as our canine and feline friends.
If the experience of raising and caring for an exotic animal is rewarding enough on its own, it might not matter if your pet isn't particularly affectionate. But what if you're looking for not just a pet, but a true companion, a steadfast furry (or feathered, or scaly) friend? In that case, you might want to consider one of these popular exotic pets.
A green and gold budgie sitting on its perch
1. Budgerigars (aka "Budgies")
Budgerigars (usually referred to as "budgies" for short) are a species of parakeet hailing from Australia. These colorful, pint-sized parakeets are known to be extremely intelligent, playful, and affectionate, bonding closely with their owners. Happy budgies love to "sing" with a blend of chirps, warbles, and other vocalizations. Like other parrots and parakeets, some budgies can even learn how to talk!
Budgies are cute, tiny, and very affectionate, but it's important that pet owners choose wisely when considering whether or not to own a pet budgie. Though budgies are small, they still need plenty of space to play and lots of daily enrichment. Furthermore, on average, budgies live to be 10-20 years old, and they form intense, lifelong emotional attachments with their owners. Understand that owning a budgie is a long-term, hands-on commitment. If you're willing to commit plenty of love and attention to your feathered friend, though, a pet budgie can make a wonderful companion!
A cute kunekune piglet
2. "Mini" Pigs
In recent years, a few species of pigs have made the jump from the barnyard to the family home as popular pets. According to The Humane League, decades of research have demonstrated that pigs are empathetic, affectionate, intelligent, and possess cognitive abilities comparable to those of a 3-year-old human child's. Additionally, despite rolling in mud to keep themselves cool in the barnyard, pigs are naturally very clean animals. According to Ross Mill Farm, pet pigs "almost housetrain themselves," and pick up the habit much faster than dogs do!
Don't let the name "mini pig" fool you, though. Pigs are large animals, and even "miniature" breeds like Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, kunekune pigs, and even teacup pigs can easily grow to be as big as 150-200 pounds, according to British Columbia's SPCA! Your pet pig needs as much space as a large dog, with plenty of outdoor playtime each day!
A pet rat sniffing a treat
3. Rats
Here's another awesome animal that's been maligned by centuries of negative stereotypes. Pet rats, also known as "fancy rats," are not the disease-spreading sewer dwellers you might imagine. Rats are highly intelligent, fastidious about self-grooming, and are incredibly affectionate, social animals who bond well with their human owners. Rats also thrive with the companionship of other rats, so The Humane Society advises buying them in groups of two or three (though they should be neutered or in same-sex groupings to prevent aggressive behavior).
A pair of guinea pigs with awestruck expressions
4. Guinea Pigs
Wait, really? Yes, believe it or not, guinea pigs are largely considered "exotic" pets in the United States, despite their prevalence in pet stores. These adorable bundles of fluff grow to be about 8-10 inches long, love to play, and are generally regarded as affectionate, social animals - plus, they're incredibly expressive, communicating through a range of adorable squeaks! For their gentle, social nature and relatively low maintenance needs, The Gentle Vets recommends guinea pigs as great starter pets for kids!
A bearded dragon about to snag a bug snack
5. Bearded Dragons
Reptiles, even pet reptiles, aren't typically known for their abundance of affectionate behavior. Bearded dragons, however, are a rare exception. These two-foot-long lizards are renowned in the reptile-keeping community for expressing affection for their owners by hanging out with them, falling asleep on them, and even nuzzling them!
VCA Animal Hospitals describes bearded dragons as "highly social, friendly, animated, curious, docile, and gentle animals" that are very responsive and easy to tame. They're also hardy animals with relatively low maintenance needs, though they still require the essentials: a clean, spacious enclosure, and a diverse diet of fresh fruit, veggies, bugs, and animal protein.
An inquisitive-looking toucan
6. Toucans
Believe it or not, toucans who are socialized from an early age commonly grow up to be social, expressive pets who enjoy spending time with their owners. Some pet toucans can even become downright snuggly, cuddling with their owners like a pet cat or dog!
Keep in mind, however, that toucans are not beginner-friendly pets. According to Pango Vet, toucans are extremely loud, very active, need tons of space and rigorous hands-on care, and can live to be 25 years old. Like budgies, toucans are challenging pets that require tons of care and commitment (and depending on where you live, they may be illegal to own). For an experienced bird owner, however, owning a pet toucan might just be the perfect challenge!
An adorable skunk
7. Skunks
No, I'm not pulling your leg (or your finger). Captive-bred skunks have their scent glands removed at an early age, eliminating the possibility of their owners getting hit with a surprise stink bomb. Socialized skunks are widely regarded as smart, playful, and very friendly creatures, and according to The Spruce Pets, they can even be acclimated to get along with other household pets.
That said, be mindful of the fact that skunks are high-maintenance pets that need a lot of stimulation and specialized care. Furthermore, many consider the process of de-scenting skunks to be controversial, and many states in the U.S. have made owning a pet skunk illegal. Skunks can prove to be interesting and affectionate pets, but they're not right for everyone!
A pet ferret sleeping in a hammock
8. Ferrets
Looking for an exotic pet that's playful, energetic, and loyal? If so, you might be the perfect fit for a ferret. Ferrets are very active, curious, and sociable pets that love to play and explore, and they thrive off of human companionship - especially if their owner loves playtime as much as they do! According to The Friendly Ferret, these mischievous mustelids show affection in all sorts of ways, even giving their owners little kisses!
That said, be aware that ferrets can be challenging pets to keep, in part because they're so mischievous, exploratory, and energetic while they're awake. Additionally, The Friendly Ferret notes that ferrets will sometimes nip their owners to get their attention, which some owners mistake for a sign of aggression. If that sounds like a lot to handle, a pet ferret might not be right for you.
A pet bunny being held by its owner
9. Rabbits
Like guinea pigs and ferrets, rabbits are broadly considered "exotic" pets, despite their relative popularity in the US. Though rabbits are typically shy by nature, they can grow to become affectionate, playful pets when socialized from an early age. Like dogs, rabbits are intelligent animals that take well to training - they can even be taught to perform tricks! Rabbits need plenty of space to exercise and a diverse, healthy diet, but as long as you can provide for their needs, they can make wonderful, friendly furry companions!
A sugar glider snacking on veggies
10. Sugar Gliders
These big-eyed, nocturnal marsupials are incredibly interesting animals to keep as pets, in no small part because, as their name implies, they glide through the air using thin gliding membranes attached to their limbs. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, sugar gliders can glide up to 165 feet!
Aside from being adorable little aeronauts, sugar gliders can be playful, cuddly companions if bonded to their owners from an early age. Be aware, however, that these are high-maintenance pets with a penchant for escape artistry. Furthermore, VCA Animal Hospitals strongly advises that they not be kept as single pets, as sugar gliders thrive in the company of other sugar gliders. Lastly, pet sugar gliders are not legal everywhere, so check your laws. In fact, always check your local exotic pet bans anytime you're researching any exotic animal, no matter how rare or commonplace it may seem!
Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
