Last updated on November 12th, 2022
What pets are not nocturnal? This is one of the questions in every pet owner’s mind.
It’s great to have a pet since they bring joy to our homes, and other benefits are too numerous to mention. The best part is that we have a companion to spend quality time with.
However, there are times that they’ll rob us of our sound sleep at night, especially those that are nocturnal.
Many pet owners don’t prefer owning a nocturnal creature lest they have to remain awake at night to play with their furry friends.
Some animal species are diurnal and are active during the day. However, at night, they either sleep or take alternate periods of rest and inactivity.
The pets that are not nocturnal are:
- Dogs
- Guinea Pigs
- Rabbits
- Gerbils
- Degus
- Birds
- Ferrets
- Chinchillas
What Does Nocturnal Mean for Animals?
Nocturnal animals are active at night or have sleeping periods that overlap with the day, including many types of cats, dogs, other domestic pets, and wild animals. There are other species of nocturnal animals as well—from bats to insects like moths and cockroaches.
You’ll find nocturnal animals that have unusually large eyes compared to their body size, and the reason for this is that their eyes need to be active at night to collect as much light as possible.
List of Pets That Are Not Nocturnal:
If you’re looking for a pet that will want to play with you at night, here’s a list of animals that could be right for you.
1. Dogs
Dogs are extremely social animals who need the companionship of humans to be happy. They’re very active creatures that can make your life joyful. Where once you worried about coming home to a dark and empty house, now you have a warm and loving friend to greet you.
It’s true that dogs are man’s best friend, this is because dogs are both lovable and adorable—two things that are the very essence of friendship.
There are many different types of dogs out there, and each one has its own unique personality.
Whether you’re looking for a loyal companion, an active animal that’ll help you get sufficient exercise, or a playful pet that’ll keep you entertained with their antics, there is a dog for everyone.
Pros and Cons of Owning Dogs
Pros
- Dogs can be taught to do a lot of tricks.
- Most dogs can play with children since they’re very social and friendly
- They’re loyal and obedient
- Dogs help you to cope with stress or a crisis
- Having a dog can prolong your life, and this was proved by a comprehensive study published by the ahajournals website where they mentioned that “dog ownership is associated with a lower risk of death over the long term“.
Cons
- You must walk them at least once a week so that they become familiar with the neighborhood.
- You’ll need to make arrangements to have them taken care of when you’re traveling.
- There are times when you’ll find your house is a mess because your dog rummaged through it.
2. Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are social rodents that are considered one of the sweetest and most adorable pets.
They’re quite charming, fun, and cuddly, and have a reputation for living long and healthy.
They primarily live on grass and other plants but will also eat insects and seeds. Guinea pigs are timid animals and are less likely found exploring.
Pros and Cons of Owning Guinea Pigs
Pros
- They’re healthy and aren’t prone to any major diseases.
- Guinea pigs have an average life span of around 4-8 years.
- You can easily handle them with other pets since guinea pigs can move around quite efficiently without assistance.
- These creatures don’t take up plenty of space.
- Guinea pigs are very low-cost pets
- They’re very low maintenance
Cons
- They are delicate creatures and can be easily harmed.
- Guinea pigs can’t make their own Vitamin C, which means you need to buy Vitamin C supplements or include rich Vitamin C foods in their diet.
- Guinea pigs may smell unpleasant at times and this can create commotion around the house.
- The bedding in the cage needs to be changed twice weekly
- They can be very noisy
3. Rabbits
These small mammals are so cute and adorable that most pet owners like to have them. Besides, kids totally love their floppy ears, furry tails, soft fur, and cute wriggly noses.
For many, rabbits are the ideal pets. They come in a variety of breeds and colors, are easily litter-trained, and are relatively quiet. Plus, they’re known as a good luck charm in some cultures, and you can’t get much luckier than having a rabbit.
Pros and Cons of Owning Rabbits
Pros
- Rabbits are friendly and social animals, which makes them adapt to the human environment quite easily.
- They’re clean animals and can be litter trained
- Among the small pets, rabbits are one of those that have the longest lifespan. Rabbits live around 7-10 years.
- There are a lot of rabbit breeds to choose from
- Rabbits are crepuscular which means that they’re active during dawn and dusk. This is a huge plus because if they were nocturnal, they would’ve been making noises during the night and if they were diurnal, they’d be awake when you’re either at work or school and unable to tend to their needs.
Cons
- Rabbits are prone to the development of certain health issues and can get injured easily.
Rabbits are fast, so never leave them unattended as they may escape. - They can be messy when using hay
- Rabbits are expensive and depending on your situation, it’ll vary from person to person. They are cheap when first purchased but the monthly expenses do add up and they can be more expensive than cats or dogs
- They don’t like being picked up
- Rabbits are can do a lot of damage, they’ll chew on wood, cords, or even plastic
They are prey animals for large pets, including cats and dogs.
4. Gerbils
The gerbil rodent species are friendly and independent creatures that can stay entertained for long periods. These pets are not only fun to watch but are also known for their cheerful personalities.
Pros and Cons of Owning Gerbils
Pros
- Gerbils are low-maintenance pets, and they take up very little space.
- These creatures don’t need long playtime or out-of-the-cage time, mostly because they know how to keep themselves entertained.
- Gerbils are not nocturnal but rather crepuscular creatures, they’re most active during sunrise or sunset.
- Gerbils live for 3-5 years on average.
Cons
- Although gerbils are adorable, they are not really cuddly.
- Gerbils can bite you if they feel threatened or if you wake them up from sleeping
- Gerbils can be loud when playing or fighting with another of their kind
- Gerbils stay best in groups of two or more. Therefore, buying just one of these creatures may make them feel lonely.
5. Degus
Degu is not a very common household name for pets. However, they’re most active during the day, making them the perfect companions for daytime activity.
Degus love to live in large groups, or rather colonies of over 100 rodents. Therefore, active homes with lots of pets and good human interaction make the indoor environment a thriving habitat for these creatures.
Pros and Cons of Owning Degus
Pros
- Taking care of a Degu is extremely easy, even if you are a newbie in the pet world. Starting from food to grooming, you don’t have to worry about anything.
- You can even leave Degus at home for long hours without worrying about its whereabouts or health.
- Degus are social animals, and they can make friends quickly. They are also loving and affectionate. Who won’t fall in love with such a creature?
- Degus don’t require a bath because they don’t get dirty. And when they do, Degus can clean themselves, just like cats.
- Degus have an average life span of 5-8 years.
Cons
- Degus need to be fed almost all the time. Therefore, you must keep ample amounts of hay, grass, or other treats.
- Their urine has a bad odor, and you need to train your Degu to release their droppings in a specific area.
- Degus are attention seekers and need a good amount of time and care from their owners.
- These creatures can chew everything, be it your precious furniture or their own cage wiring. So, it’s your responsibility to protect your objects or furnishings.
6. Birds
We tend to have pet birds since we love how they chirp and tweet, which cheers up our kids.
Besides, their colorful feathers and beautiful voices add to the delight and joy of our homes. Most birds you’ll see are active during the day and will sleep during the night.
Pros and Cons of Owning Birds
Pros
- Keeping these charming pet birds in a cage at one corner of the house can save you from messy surroundings.
- Some birds adapt really well to human companionship and domestic life. These breeds include canaries, lovebirds, finches, parakeets, and cockatiels.
- Small birds live on average 2-3 years whereas large birds live upwards of 60-90 years
Cons
- Birds aren’t good for cuddling.
- You need to put them in a large cage to ensure adequate space to fly and walk around.
- Some birds can be noisy, especially the wild ones.
- Birds are messy and can poop half of what they eat
- Despite being social, some bird species can be really demanding. For instance, if you leave the room, you may immediately hear panic screams!
7. Ferrets
Ferrets are engaging animals and are known for their high energy levels and charming, playful nature.
These intelligent pets can provide great entertainment with their amazing personalities. Owning a ferret comes with the following benefits and downsides.
Pros and Cons of Owning Ferrets
Pros
- Ferrets are very cute and playful
- Ferrets have a long lifespan of about 6-10 years.
- Once you learn the temperament and personality, you will fall in love with this creature.
- These furry animals are great with kids and hence, are family-friendly.
- With proper care, these pets are easy to maintain. Besides, you can train a ferret to remain in its litter box, thus making your cleaning process easier.
- Ferrets do get along with cats so if you’re a cat or ferret owner, this is a huge plus
Cons
- Ferrets can be destructive at times as these curious animals can get into almost everything.
- Ferrets need your attention for long hours. For instance, They require you to play with them for at least 2 hours.
- They like to spend a minimum of 4 hours outside the cage per day.
- They can be a little smelly unless you bath them once a month
- Ferrets also require plenty of grooming every day, such as toothbrushing, ear cleaning, and nail clipping.
8. Chinchillas
Chinchillas are slightly larger and stronger than ground squirrels. These rodents have large ears, soft fur, and bushy tails, which make them so adorable.
Chinchillas are solitary animals, and they don’t need a companion. The best thing about these cute little furry pets is that they remain clean and odorless, which is a plus point for a healthy home.
Pros and Cons of Owning Chinchillas
Pros
- They’re low maintenance because they stay clean and smell quite good.
- You’ll need to provide chinchillas with adequate water refills along with hay and food every day.
- Cage cleanings are done once per week, but you’ll need to remove any wet spots daily.
- Their poop is easy to clean since it’s hard and doesn’t have an extremely bad smell.
- Chinchillas have a long lifespan of around 10 years or more.
- Their dense hair doesn’t get messed up easily. However, they’ll need dust baths weekly. Yes, they absolutely love them, and not to mention, they look so adorable while taking dust baths.
Cons
- You need to handle chinchillas carefully as they get startled quite easily. Rough handling may even lead to loss of fur, thus spreading them across your home.
- There are very few food items and treats that are safe for them. They include oats, rosehips, and plain shredded wheat.
- Chinchillas literally tend to chew everything.
