Sharing your life with pets you can cuddle is a great way to relax after a long day, and it can also be an excellent way to reduce stress. Cuddling with your favorite furry friend is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Unsurprisingly, many pet owners claim that getting up close and personal with their pets helps them feel more relaxed and happier. In our experience, pets provide the perfect calming effect after a stressful day at work.
What small pets like to cuddle?
Fortunately, there are many types of pets you can cuddle. Cats are among the most popular but there are many others.
Are you looking for pets you can cuddle with that aren’t house cats?
The creatures below are generally well-known for being particularly sociable, affectionate animals. Many of these pets will happily stay near you for hours at a time. 12 Popular Pets for Small Apartments
Poodles
Poodles are beautiful dogs that are also great for cuddling. Besides cats and kittens, which are well-known as some of the most affectionate animals towards humans, dogs are a close second. And among dogs, poodle dogs are among the best pets for cuddling.
They are particularly affectionate animals and are known for being great pets you can cuddle for people of all ages. Poodles are also very easy to train and generally make great companions.
Poodles shed quite a lot, so if you don’t like a bit of dust in the air, it may be worth considering another type of pet.
Types of Poodles
- Standard: The largest poodles weigh up to 100 pounds and they need extensive grooming.
- Miniature: The dog most people think of when they think of a poodle weighing up to 15 pounds.
- Toy: Weighing in around 10 pounds, these poodles are true lap dogs.
- Teacup: These little poodles often suffer health issues due to their small size – 6 pounds or so.
The larger poodles are also very active animals, so it may be helpful to have a large space for them to run around in. They need lots of exercise, so a fenced in back yard accompanied by regular walks of 20 minutes or more are helpful.
You can read more about poodles, their traits, common health concerns, etc. at AKC.org.
Italian Greyhound
Italian greyhounds are affectionate, playful dogs that are among the best pets you can cuddle. These animals have calm temperaments and are generally good with children and other pets.
Italian greyhounds are great for seniors who live alone, looking for pets you can cuddle and who want some company. These dogs are very playful but are also extremely affectionate.
They are among the best of the good apartment pets that are cuddly.
Italian greyhounds enjoy spending time with their owners and crave being nearby their caregivers throughout the day.
If you want a dog to cuddle with but you don’t have a lot of space in your home, an Italian greyhound may be a good choice. These animals are generally small dogs that don’t take up a lot of room.
All the Skinny on Italian Greyhounds
The Italian variety are much smaller than the racing greyhounds you may be familiar with. They are house dogs whereas racing greyhounds have their roots in chasing and hunting prey.
On the smallish side, weighing around 11 pounds, these smaller greyhounds are usually content being house pets. They love to be near their owners and get cold quite easily, so a sweater is a must in cold temperatures.
Unlike their full-size namesakes, the standard greyhound, the Italian greyhound does not require a lot of outdoor exercise off leash. Full size greyhound owners must have a fenced yard to allow off lease exercise, but the Italian greyhounds prosper as pets without high quantities of off leash exercise.
Rabbits
Rabbits may not be the first animals that come to mind when you think of cuddling, but these creatures are actually incredibly affectionate pets you can cuddle. Rabbits can make great family pets and are particularly good with children.
Many rabbits enjoy being held on a lap and will happily sit there for hours, happily snuggling up to their owner. If you are thinking about cuddling with a rabbit, do keep in mind that they have very strong teeth and may bite if they feel frightened or scared.
Popular Rabbit Breeds
- Netherland Dwarf
- English Lop rabbit
- New Zealand white
- Min Lop
- Mini Rex
- Mini Satin
Read our article on the best pet rabbits for apartments and learn more.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are extremely affectionate animals that make great cuddling companions. These furry little creatures love to be held and stroked and many enjoy being cuddled on laps for hours at a time.
These little guys are popular low-maintenance pets that like to cuddle. Ask 10 people what family pets they had as children and at least one is likely to confirm they owned a guinea pig.
Guinea pigs are generally great with kids and other pets. If you are thinking about getting a guinea pig as a pet but don’t want the noise of a high-pitched squeak, you can choose to adopt an older guinea pig that has been socialized to humans and isn’t as loud as the younger ones.
Popular Guinea Pig Breeds
- Americans are good for beginners
- Abyssinians have a ruffled coat, with ridges and cowlicks
- Peruvians have a long, smooth coat
- Silkies have a smooth coat with hair growing away from the face
- Sheba guinea pigs look unkempt like they just got out of bed
- Teddys are very cuddly, and their hair stands up like on the child’s teddy bear
Read more about guinea pig breeds on Wikipedia
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs may not be top of mind when you think of pets you can cuddle, but these spiky creatures make great pets for people who want something a little bit different.
Hedgehogs may look a little bit intimidating, but these animals are actually very friendly and love to be held and stroked. They actually make good small cuddly pets. Many hedgehog owners report that their pets happily sit in their lap for hours at a time.
However, hedgehogs do need a fair amount of attention to keep them well-socialized, so these animals may not be the best choice for people who work a lot. Keeping them cuddly over the long run requires that you handle them regularly.
If you don’t play with and give these guys attention, they will learn to manipulate you and when they sense fear it often results in a bite, so cuddling these guys take patience and a regular commitment.
Hedgehog Facts
- Most are palm-sized
- They are prone to sleeping – ALOT
- They have poor eyesight
- And have thousands of quills for protection
Before purchasing a new hedgehog, do your research. Understand their personality and ensure that you understand how to give them a proper home. If your main goal for buying a pet is to have a cuddle buddy that is content to curl up with you in a chair or on the sofa, a hedgehog might not be the best choice.
But if you are looking for an unusual pet and are willing to spend the time learning how to provide them the best care possible then hedgehogs will reward you.
Chinchillas
Chinchillas are furry animals that are well known for being extremely sociable creatures. Many chinchillas love being held and will happily sit snuggled up to you for hours at a time.
If you want a pet that you can cuddle with, a chinchilla may be a good choice. If you’re thinking about getting a chinchilla as a companion, it may be a good idea to adopt a chinchilla from a rescue or adoption center, if there are any available where you live.
Other Popular Pets That Enjoy Cuddling
- Gerbils
- Ferrets
- Fancy rats
- Some domesticated parrots
- Cats
- Dogs
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many types of pets that are perfect for cuddling. If you are looking for a furry friend to snuggle up with, these animals are generally friendly and love to be held by humans when socialized properly.
Proper pet care and socialization requires attentive interaction with your pets.
Examples of poor pet care:
- Not walking your dog regularly. Dogs need multiple walks each day.
- Not providing training and purpose for your dog. Dogs love to have a mission. Training helps.
- Not providing proper exercise. Dogs need playtime with their owners. They enjoy a game of fetch.
Examples of good pet care:
- Clean water for your rabbit, guinea pig, and chinchilla or other pets is a must.
- Clean the cage daily or every-other-day at minimum.
- Provide clean bedding.
- Allow for supervised out-of-cage time – on the floor is best to prevent unexpected fall or injury.
A healthy pet is a happy pet, and a happy pet makes a happy pet owner.
Tip: You don’t always need to buy your pets from a breeder or local pet store. Consider adopting a pet from a shelter and give it the loving home it deserves.
Shelter pets often result from prior owners who were unable or unwilling to provide proper care. Don’t forget that shelter pets love to cuddle too!
Your new friend will be eternally grateful, and you will no doubt get plenty of cuddles in return.
