Welcoming a new puppy into your home in the Twin Cities area, whether you're exploring Alexandria homes for sale or considering Arden Hills properties, is an exciting journey. Ensuring your space is safe and welcoming for your new four-legged family member is crucial for their well-being and your peace of mind.

National Pet Day is recognized every April, but those with pets know that every day is pet day in our households! If you haven't given your heart to a pet yet, maybe it's because you haven't found the right one for you yet. Here are a handful of unconventional pets to consider as you shop Alexandria homes for sale.

• Sugar Glider
  Sugar gliders are one of the most popular unconventional pets. While they're small and can be kept in a cage like a hamster or a gerbil, they are actually marsupials and can live for 10-15 years. These intelligent and social animals like lots of interaction with their humans and have similar requirements as other caged animals. Because of their social natures, they also get separation anxiety when kept by themselves, so should be adopted in pairs.