Mini Pets

In many ways, our society worships at the altar of size. We want bigger houses, bigger meals, and bigger television screens. There seem to be only a few things we prefer in smaller sizes. Cellular telephones and portable consumer electronics keep shrinking, for instance. It also seems like small pets are growing in popularity.

You can try to credit that to Tinkerbell, Paris Hilton's tiny pup, or Jake Gyllenhall's puggle, but our growing appreciation for small pets is more than a celebrity-guided fad. There are some very real reasons to prefer smaller animals as pets and as recognition of those characteristics grow, more and more people are looking to add animal companionship to their lives in very small packages. Let's look at a handful of reasons backing the popularity surge of tiny pets.

First, our love of "big" makes smaller pets more inviting. A large animal takes up space and uses a great deal of space. A smaller pet, on the other hand, allows us to use a greater percentage of our home. That might sound trivial to some people, but for urban apartment dwellers and others who feel a need to maximize their space, a small animal makes perfect sense. By maintaining a smaller pet, we are able to maintain a larger living space, in relative terms.

Second, portability is a factor. Pet lovers appreciate their animal's companionship whenever possible. Transporting a large dog across town can be a production. Smaller pets, on the other hand, are ready to go on a whim. The hassle of traveling about with a Great Dane just cannot compare with a trip involving one's dwarf breed dog. Portability may not be a critical factor for everyone, but many small pet owners appreciate the added flexibility of a smaller animal.

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Third, the "self-contained lifestyle" of many smaller animals makes them an attractive pet option. Animals like fish, turtles, hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs don't need to take long walks. They don't need to be housetrained. Instead, the function happily and healthily in a designated area. Of course, even these small pets require upkeep, but the level of care demanded is not necessarily on par with that needed by many traditional pets. Even when the required care level is similar, the amount of effort required on the part of the owner may still be less.

Fourth, smaller pets can be more affordable. A teacup cat won't run up the grocery bills of a St. Bernard! Fish can be can economical, as well. There are exceptions to this, as many "designer" breeds will come with a shocking price tag, but there are many small pet options that can quite affordable. In an era where everyone is watching the bottom line, cost savings can be a strong impetus to invest in a smaller variety of animal companionship.

Finally, there is the appeal of breaking with convention. For years, the word "pet" has been synonymous with mixed breed dogs and cats. They make fine companions for people (thus their overwhelming popularity), but they don't represent an alternative to explore something new or unique. Many smaller pet options, on the other hand, provide a refreshing change from the norm. Those interested in enjoying the company of a pet while exploring new terrain may love the idea of a small exotic pet or an unusual miniature animal friend.

Overall, we still seem to believe that bigger is better for most of our needs. However, miniature pets provide positive proof that there are cases where something tiny might be a better fit with our lifestyles. The five factors considered here all help explain why small pets are developing such a very large following.

From celebrities showing off their tiny buddies to the paparazzi to your neighbors pet turtles, small animals are increasingly become a very popular pet choice. They offer a variety of advantages over other options while still allowing for the development of the animal / human bond that attracts most of us to pet ownership in the first place.

For more information Checkout Mini Pets: The Book of Tiny Friends here!