Inked Mag Staff
February 19th, 2020
Celebrate National Love Your Pet Day with 45 Adorable Tattoos
From dogs to cats to rabbits to snakes, there's a pet tattoo for everyone!
February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day and depending on the species you have, that can be shown in many different ways. For example, if you have a dog, that can be shown by taking your pup for an extra long walk and giving them a special treat. If you’re a cat person, you can show your kitty how much you love him/her by extending play time and giving them extra wet food for dinner. And if you have a more uncommon pet, like a hamster, fish or bird—I’m sure you can figure out how to show them you love them.
And if you don’t have a pet, never fear! We’ve curated a tattoo guide to pet ownership, breaking down the most popular pet species and hopefully making it easier to find your new best friend.
Dogs
Most Popular Breeds: Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, French Bulldog
Level of Difficulty: 5/10
Pros: Social, Affectionate, Easy to Train
Cons: Needs Space, Requires Daily Outdoor Exercise, Expensive
Lifespan: 10-13 years
Cats
Most Popular Breeds: Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Longhair, Maine Coon, Siamese
Level of Difficulty: 3/10
Pros: Independent, Low-Maintenance, Don’t Require Much Space
Cons: Shedding, May Damage Furniture, Strong-Willed
Lifespan: 13-17 years
Rabbits
Most Popular Breeds: Lionhead, Mini Lop, Rex, Netherland Dwarf
Level of Difficulty: 4/10
Pros: Quiet, Affectionate, Doesn’t Require Much Space
Cons: Fragile, Difficult Cleanup, May Need Specialized Veterinary Care
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Birds
Most Popular Breeds: Parakeet, Cockatiel, Finch, Lovebirds
Level of Difficulty: 6/10
Pros: Minimal Grooming, Inexpensive, Social
Cons: Loud, Messy, May Need Specialized Veterinary Care
Lifespan: 5-30 years
Fish
Most Popular Breeds: Betta, Goldfish, Angelfish, Guppies
Level of Difficulty: 1/10
Pros: Low Maintenance, Doesn’t Need Much Space, Quiet
Cons: Short Lifespan, Not Affectionate, Easy to Forget
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Rodents (Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice, Gerbils)
Most Popular Breeds: Syrian Hamsters, Fancy Mouse, Guinea Pig, Common Rat
Level of Difficulty: 2/10
Pros: Doesn’t Require Much Space, Affectionate, Low Maintenance
Cons: Nocturnal, Short Lifespan, Many Health Issues
Lifespan: 1-5 years
Reptiles (Iguanas, Turtles, Geckos, Snakes)
Most Popular Breeds: Bearded Dragon, Leopard Gecko, Snake, Tortoise, Turtle
Level of Difficulty: 6/10
Pros: Quiet, Hypo-Allergenic, No Training
Cons: Expensive, Requires Specific Equipment, Specialized Diet
Lifespan: 5-8 years (lizards), 15-30 years (snakes), 40-50 years (tortoise)
Farm Animals (Horses, Pigs, Goats, Chickens)
Most Common Breeds: American Quarter Horse, Potbellied Pig, Alpine Goat, Orpington Chicken
Level of Difficulty: 8/10
Pros: Can Live Indoor and Outdoor, Can Be Used for Farming, Affectionate
Cons: High Maintenance, Needs Specialized Veterinary Care, Needs Outdoor Space
Lifespan: Varied
Exotic (Hedgehogs, Tarantulas, Scorpions, Chimpanzees)
Most Popular Breeds: African Pygmy Hedgehog, Mexican Red-Knee Tarantula, Emperor Scorpion
Level of Difficulty: 6/10
Pros: Doesn’t Require Much Space
Cons: Can Be Obtained Inhumanly, Requires Specialized Veterinary Care, Expensive
Lifespan: Varied
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