Software developers work long hours and are often isolated. Even before the global pandemic started, many worked from home. It can be a lonely job, so here are some of the most popular pets to get for someone who spends their entire job on a computer.
Cats
A popular choice because these animals require minimal care and attention, depending on the cat. No need to take a break for walks, no loud barking, and they don’t take up a lot of room. Be careful with a kitten, because those will require a lot of care and keep you up at night. Also, be aware that a lot of cats love warmth, so be prepared to have an alternate source of heat other than your keyboard. Otherwise, coding can become quite difficult with a cat plopped down on your hands.
Dogs
Yes, this seems diametrically opposed to the above pet, but when have software developers ever agreed on anything? Because software design tends to be a lonely profession, a dog can be a great companion to keep you company and provide the attention and affection you might not get elsewhere. The need for walks and outdoor exercise provides a great excuse to take a break from work and get outside. It’s not like it’s built into your schedule already. Be cognizant of the breed and your living space, because getting a Bernese Mountain dog when you live in a 300 square foot apartment is bad for both owner and pet – even the crate they’d need would be huge.
Parrots
When you are in the middle of an intense coding session, you can go hours or days without talking to someone. Having a bird, especially a parrot, can provide a conversation partner to keep you grounded. Besides, doesn’t the idea of training a bird to speak your lingo sound like a fun project? You can have them make fun of your colleagues, remind you to complete upcoming projects, or even tell you when it’s time to eat dinner. It’s the next best thing to programming a robot as a pet.
Hamsters and Hedgehogs
A large majority of software developers work long hours and don’t have the time and energy to care for a larger pet. Even feeding a cat can prove a daunting task when you’ve been up for 20 hours straight. Seeing as how often work can bleed into the night, think about getting a nocturnal pet to keep you company in the quiet hours. Hamsters and Hedgehogs don’t come alive until the sun goes down, and can give you that extra motivation to keep going when you hear their wheel spinning in their cage. Sometimes just hearing the signs of life of another creature can be comforting when everyone else is asleep. Besides, it can be fun to take them out of their cage and cuddle with them when you need a break. With minimal food requirements and upkeep, they don’t take up a lot of space and don’t need a lot to be entertained. Just throw some wheels, toys, and mazes in there and they’ll be happy as can be. If you really want some entertainment, throw them in a ball and watch them zoom around the room.
Tarantulas
Software developers can have some weird traits, so it’s fitting the last one is bizarre. They’re weird to look at, no one knows what function they serve, and they avoid the light as much as possible. As for the tarantulas, they’re surprisingly docile. Just don’t let them escape, or you’ll never sleep soundly again.
Jeff Kang
Jeff Kang is web developer for about a decade. Started as a passion, he is now working as a freelance on certain websites and gaming companies.