The most popular pets to keep in Singapore

Hands down, cats can make the best pets ever. Some cats may be fussy when it comes to food but most of the time, they keep to themselves. Cats clean after themselves as well and are mostly toilet-trained – you just have to be prepared for the occasional tantrum and "zoomies" (high speed running and jumping around the house).                                                                   

Small dogs are popular in Singapore but one we see more often than not is the floofy pomeranian. It's not hard to see why it's a popular choice – these dogs are small, look like tiny baby bears and are very energetic. Pomeranians may not be the quietest dogs around but their feisty nature can be quite endearing. 

Not all pet birds have to be stuck in cage – the chirpy cockatiel is perfectly happy to cuddle up on your shoulder sometimes. This companion bird has recently become quite a popular choice pet in Singapore. Cockatiels can be bold and feisty sometimes, but they are very intelligent creatures and can pick up and imitate sounds and songs pretty quickly. 

Besides the classic goldfish, terrapins are a popular starter pet for young families in Singapore... that eventually get released in a public park pond. Many might think that terrapins are low maintenance but frequent cleaning of the cages is needed and a UVB lamp is essential to prevent shell rot (it's a thing!). On top of that, it is important to have a basking area and a swimming area for the terrapins. 

Hamsters make the perfect pet for those who are not ready to own a bigger pet – like a dog or a cat – but are still committed to being responsible for a pet. Contrary to what many might think, hamsters are not recommended as a child's pet because these critters like their space and hiding in their enclosures and are also prone to growths (and multiply really quickly) – and may be hard to take care of without proper knowledge and research. Hamsters also actually need large enclosures where they can run, burrow and hide safely.

The Singapore Special is the name given to mixed-breed dogs that have been bred on the streets. It is also the breed you'll see the most at animal shelters waiting to be adopted. Because of their origins, Singapore Specials are very resourceful and good at scavenging. That said, most of them make for lovable pets and are very loyal. 

They may look cute and cuddly but rabbits don't really like to be touched and cuddled all the time. These highly sensitive creatures are prone to stress but they do require frequent grooming because ingesting their own fur can cause blockage. An important thing to note is that rabbits should not be bathed as this can lead to shock – and they can die from it. 

Social, affectionate and smart, poodles make great pets for families with young children. Plus it doesn't hurt that they enjoy cuddles and keeping you company. However, poodles require quite a lot of grooming because of their thick and silky fur.