Pets can be divided into 3 main groups. The grouping is not scientific, it's more a matter of observation. I'm sure some of you will disagree completely, others will say that I'm partially right, and some will agree with me.
The first group is also the oldest group. I call it Working Pets. In this group you'll find working dogs, most horses, cows and chickens from really small farms, some monkeys and apes, and other animals that work for a living, but are also petted and loved. Work doesn't necessarily mean professional, it can also be a hobby, like the sheep-herding dog who only competes, but never herd sheep for its owner.
The second group is the Pet pets; or real pets. Here you'll find most dogs and cats, rabbits and bunnies, parrots, paraqeets and budgies. Most boas and pythons belong here as well, and some lizards. Pet rats and mice, and other pet rodents, can be placed in this group, along with chinchillas and degus. Any pet that likes to be petted and held can be put here, although most frogs and toads don't really like to be petted, at least some of the calmer species are fine.
The third group is the Watched pets. This is where the aquarium and its fish belong, as well as poisonous snakes, most lizards, and most amphibians do. The pet hardly interact with its owner, but are none the less very popular. As many aquarium owners know, some fish quickly learns when feeding-time has come, and will readily wait to be fed. Some fish even likes being petted, but only under water of course.
Most people make the mistake to assume that all exotic pets belong in the second group, and asks what the point is to have a pet that can't be petted. The best explanation to give is that the pet should be considered as a fish, and not that many people picks up their fish. Making people understand that it is quite possible to keep other pets than fishes in tanks because one likes to watch them, is a big step towards the proper keeping of exotic pets.
Creating a beautiful and functional setup for your pet, is very rewarding. With that in mind, you know you will have hours of fun with your pet, even if you can't touch it.
You can have a pet even if you are allergic. A pet doesn't have to be a cat or a dog to give you happiness and pleasure. There are a number of other types of pets available nowadays, and there are quite a lot of information about them as well.
The types of animals I am thinking about are reptiles, amphibians, insects and fishes. Some of these animals are for display only, but others can be as endearing and cuddly as a cat or a dog. All you have to do is to decide on the pet and find out as much as possible about it. Go to a pet-store and ask some questions, look at the animals, search the Internet, buy books or go to the library. You can never have too much information about your pet. In some countries the law says, that someone selling a pet in a pet-store, has to have at least a simple care-sheet about that particular pet.
When you do your research, you will find that the facts may vary a little from author to author. Do not worry! You will soon figure out what is important and accurate, as well as what is unproven, and perhaps wrong. New books are usually up to date when it comes to studies and facts, but sometimes the old books have some things of value as well. If you are uncertain to what is right, check where the animal originates from. This will give you a guideline to what kind of setup and temperature your pet will need, as well as moisture and food.
Remember a lot of people are afraid of snakes! Don't flaunt it, or you might end up with some very angry neighbours. In many areas you need a permit to keep a snake. Make sure you have the nessessary papers.
A pet doesn't have to be a real-life pet to give
you a feeling of something being dependent on you. There are some virtual pets on the Internet; some that you download to your own computer, and
some that lives on the Internet. A virtual pet usually has to be fed and played with, but if you are away from home a lot and have access to
the Internet, you can have your pet there. Many of these places are mainly for younger people, but there is a surpricing amount of adults who keep virtual pets as well.
One of these sites is called Neopets.
Here you will find an entire community with pets, games, people to chat with, and much, much more. If you have to be away from the Internet
for a while, all you have to do is to put up your pet at the Neopian Lodge, and it will be fed and looked after for as many nights as you have paid for.
Neopets doesn't cost anything, and you get, or play for, Neopoints (NP), which you use to buy things for your pet. You can have up to 4 pets, but I
suggest you start with one, until you have enough NPs to take care of a second pet.