Dr. Jan Bellows.
People love small things. It is difficult to pinpoint what it is about small things that attract us to then, but for some reason or another our instinct is to appreciate small things more than big things. Let it be one of those aspects of nature that we may never understand.
One such small thing that people seem to love are small animals, especially small animals that are smaller versions of larger animals. It is with that in mind that many people purchase pets that are “miniatures” of a larger pet. If you like small things, below are a variety of examples of miniature pets that you may consider purchasing.
Miniature Pets
• Toy Dogs
Perhaps the most common type of miniature pet is the toy dog. Toy dogs are a breed of dog that was designed to be smaller than the average dog. Dachshunds, for example, have both a regular sized breed and a toy breed. There are a number of different types of dogs in the toy breed. Some do not have a larger dog equivalent. Toy dogs are the most common way to get a small pet, because they are not due to a genetic deformity and are found all around the world.
• Tea Cup Cats
Everyone loves kittens. Cats, on the other hand, are sometimes hit and miss. What if there was a way to own a cat that seemed to remain a kitten throughout its entire life?
There are. They are simply hard to find. Known as “Tea Cup Cats,” these felines are complete miniatures, either because they have the dwarf gene or because they were bred to be extra small. Tea cup cats appear to stay kitten sized throughout their life. They are not widely available, they are somewhat expensive, and there are questions about the long term health of some of these cats, but at the very least their existence is a sign that in the future you may be able to find kittens that will stay kittens forever.
• Miniature Horses
Currently, miniature horses are being trained to become “Guide Horses” – tiny horses that the blind will use to help get around, in the same way that guide dogs are used. Guide horses can be as small as a Labrador retriever. These horses are smart, healthy, and live for a long, long time.
They do require an extensive amount of training, and currently there are cattle laws that prevent their ownership by everyday men and women, but someday these miniature horses may become one of the most popular city pets available.
Overall Thoughts on Tiny Pets
There are a number of smaller pets in the world that are not miniatures. Rather, they are simply small animals, like ferrets and guinea pigs. All of these still make great pets for those that are looking for something small. However, if you truly want a smaller version of a larger animal, such as a dog or a cat, you may want to look at miniature pets.
Miniature pets are a unique change in the pet industry. Though toy dogs have been around for a while, teacup cats and miniature horses are only just now starting to be bred as pets for the prospective owners around the world. You should always do your research on these pets beforehand and make sure they are healthy, intelligent, and that you have the ability to care for them – just as you would for other pets. But if you find a miniature pet that you know you can care for, go for it. It may quickly become be the perfect member of your family.