JessicaThere is a wide range of choices out there when it comes to pets, but as a vegan, that pool surprisingly starts shrinking. Even the popular choices like Cats and Dogs are not considered ideal for vegans due to their diet. However, you don’t have to stress yourself about that as I have a list of the top favorite pets for vegans for you to choose from. Without wasting much of our time, let’s get right into it.
Top Favorite Pets for Vegans
Here is a list of my top 10 favorite pets for vegans. We only include pets that naturally have a vegan diet, so you don’t have to worry much about how they’ll fit into your life.
1. Rabbits
Over the years, Rabbits have been nicknamed the “vegan cat,” which is not entirely accurate but sure, rabbits are a great option for vegans to consider as pets.
Rabbits are great companions, and with a lifespan of 7-10 years, you’re sure they’ll be there for a long time. As for their diet, it consists of hay, vegetables, and kitchen leftovers, which is quite simple.
Unlike Cats, Rabbits are way more fragile, and they can’t be flipped around vigorously or mistakenly dropped as they do not always land on their feet. Also, rabbits are quite active and can’t just be locked in a cage, but also be cautious as they can sometimes chew on books and other valuables.
2. Guinea Pigs
These are similar to Rabbits; they both share a 100% vegan diet, as hay, veggies, and leftovers are suitable for them.
Guinea pigs are very social animals, so you need to have at least 2 for them to grow well and have adequate social interaction.
While they are quite smaller than rabbits, Guinea pigs still need a fairly decent space to be housed in and roam about.
With a lifespan of 4-6 years, they’ll stick around for a long time, and also, they are quite fragile, so treat them with care and do more research.
3. Hamsters
Hamsters are small, adorable fur balls that are perfect for vegans as they also have a vegan diet with compound pellets, a mix of different seeds, and some fresh veggies, being great options.
They also need a fairly decent space, about 500-700 square inches of space. Hamsters are fun to play with, but they are very fragile.
Not even exaggerating, you need to be extra careful when dealing with them as they are prone to being frightened and can have heart attacks. They have a life of 18-36 months, and due to their fragile nature, anything can make that range even shorter.
4. Parrots
Birds are a very great choice for vegans to consider, and parrots just happen to be one of the favorites. So far, you don’t go around shouting cuss words, you’ll be just fine with them as pets in your home.
Parrots are highly intelligent, emotional, sensitive, and complex animals, but they’re also cute to have as pets. They can be noisy at times and also throw tantrums; make sure to do a lot of research on the species you’re getting.
As for diet, parrots will eat seeds, nuts, fruit, plants, veggies, so a lot of things that you, as a vegan, also eat.
Other birds like Canaries and Finches are less disruptive compared to Parrots, they light up the atmosphere with their joyful singing and vibrant colors.
5. Fish
Fishes are better pets than given credit for, and when you’re a vegan, it doesn’t take long before you appreciate them. Fishes can also be playful, and they help to set the ambience and aesthetics of the room.
However, fish need regular maintenance, like water changes and tank cleaning, which are very crucial. As for their diet, you can fetch the appropriate fish food for your species from your pet store.
Fishes can live from 3 to 20 years, depending on the species. For example, goldfish are on the upper end of that range as they can live up to 20 years.
6. Rats
I know what you may be thinking right now, but just hear me out. There are domesticated fancy rats, and they make a great pet choice for vegans.
The fancy rats are quite cute, and their diet consists mainly of grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, and food leftovers.
They have a lifespan of 2-3 years, which is fairly short when compared to others. They are also fragile, and you need to be careful when dealing with them.
7. Tortoise
Yes, you heard me. Tortoises are quiet, adorable, and slow animals, and this makes them a great candidate.
They are relatively easy to care for, just get their food ready and have enough space for them as they grow older. As for their diet, it consists of vegetables, fruits, like romaine, green leaf lettuce, endive, kale, and shredded carrot.
As for their lifespan, most pet tortoises can live for 10-80 years, so you can expect them to be present in your life for a fairly long time.
8. Chickens
In the right settings, chickens are a top option for vegans to consider in their search for pets. If you have lots of space around your home, chickens are one option for you to take a look at. Nothing is better than taking care of one of the top victims of human meat eating.
Chickens have a lifespan of 5-10 years, and their diet consists of pellets, seeds, veggies, and leftovers.
9. Goats
Over the years, there’s been a rise in the number of pet goats, and if you have decent backyard space, a pet goat is a fair option for vegans.
Goats are highly social, energetic, and entertaining. As stubborn as a goat, you must have heard that, well, goats have a mischievous nature, so you need a secure space to keep them safe and contained.
Goats only need a plant-based diet, munching happily on hay, grass, leaves, and leftovers. They can also help out if you have a garden, as they’re natural recyclers, turning plant waste into rich compost.
10. Horses
If you have a ton of space, and I mean a whole load of space, horses are a pet you can consider as a vegan.
Horses are intelligent and sensitive animals that form deep bonds with their human friends. They also have a vegan diet, as hay, pasture grasses, and grains get the job done.
However, horses are also fragile, needing constant care and maintenance, which sometimes can be very costly in the long run. They need a whole lot of resources and space to thrive, so just keep in mind before getting them.
With this list of my top favorite pets for vegans, I hope I have been able to help out any vegan who has been wanting a pet for some time. Still, do some more research in person before getting the pets, and I advise you to get them from animal shelters if possible, as stores are known for some cruel practices. See you next time!
