By Cheryl Burns

I wasn’t always a cat mom. Heck, I wasn’t SUPPOSED to be a cat mom—though to my late mother-in-law’s cat (five months after marrying a man who was allergic too!) was among the best decisions I’ve made. Still, once upon a time, we wanted pets that wouldn’t require a cabinet of allergy meds. We’d had a freshwater fish tank for a while and were looking for a new friend when we spotted something different—a tiny aquatic frog—amid the usual pet store fare. I couldn’t resist. The coin-sized critter needed a big name: Rumpelstiltskin.

Early Days (and a Surprise)

Per the tank attendant, Rumpelstiltskin was an African dwarf frog. As a kid, I enjoyed fishing at day camp (we used bread, not worms) but I wasn’t plodding through the mud trying to catch frogs. A frog was an odd choice, but these are fully aquatic—though they do surface to breathe air—so no worries about waking to find her sitting on my pillow.

We added Rumpelstiltskin to the tank, following the same acclimation process as with fish. We fed her frog pellets, available at any pet supply store. Rumpelstiltskin thrived. Sometimes the fish seemed to enjoy “sitting” on her head—Rumpelstiltskin got the last laugh. One day, she looked a tad plump. And Two Fish (a single, small fish) was missing. I texted my husband: “Rumpy ate Two Fish!” He assured me I was mistaken. Until he came home.

Rumpelstiltskin, no doubt quite pleased with herself, got relocated that night. We added a second tank friend and a new friend, Patches. Learning that the frogs like same-species companionship made Two Fish’s passing a bit of a happier tale.

Frog Life

Rumpy and Jumpy—Patches sometimes caught air when coming up for a breather or snack—became family. (A tip: Keep a lid on their tank. They can leap out but can’t survive long out of water.)

African dwarf frogs don’t have teeth. They grab food between their front claws, pull it in, and swallow it whole—I call it the “froggy dance.” They can’t see all that well, so they grasp on to anything that seems edible. We taught ours to associate a tap on the tank with feeding time. Quite by accident, we learned they’d latch on to your finger in search of food. It didn’t really hurt, kinda like a paperclip on the fingertip, and they’d hold on for a moment as we pulled them out of the water. It isn’t wise to really handle these guys, but it made for a fun trick!

We occasionally purchased small feeder fish. We’d never catch them hunting, but the “treats” disappeared in a few days and the froggies seemed content. Though, after one fish survived several weeks, he got upgraded: Squiggly was moved to the fish tank and became my personal favorite.

Honestly, we enjoyed our fish. I named them (shocker, I know). My husband took pictures of every single one. We mourned their passing (I shed tears over Squiggly). Still, the frogs were a tad more interactive than the fish, so we bonded with them. My husband even tried to put a live camera feed of their tank onscreen at our wedding reception!

When we had to say goodbye, we buried them in a flower bed, so they live on in spirit. We eventually adopted a second set (also since passed) but that first duo were special.

Some Important Details

An important caveat: African dwarf frogs are legal in the DMV. Virginia requires a permit for African clawed frogs, because they are invasive and can pose a risk to native species if released. Both are legal to own in Maryland, but D.C. law is unclear. The two species are often confused, even by sellers, so use care. Aside from size (clawed get up to five to six inches, dwarfs stay more like two), dwarfs have eyes on the side of their heads and four webbed feet. Clawed frogs have eyes on top of their heads and “fingers” on the front legs. Albino frogs are almost certainly clawed.

It’s hard to tell their sex when they are tiny, but grown females are larger and have a bump between the back legs. Males develop spots near their front armpits. Also, and this is what confirmed our second pair were males, the fellas will start to “sing.” My husband’s description of a “drowning cricket” isn’t far off (luckily, it’s not constant!).

African dwarf frogs are certainly easier to care for than a dog or cat, but they can be finicky. They need a tank with a lid, preferably at least five to ten gallons. A gentle filter and heated water are wise. Clean water, a steady temperature, and a well-maintained Ph level are crucial. In addition to pellets, frozen bloodworms are an easy food choice. They don’t require daily feeding, but we found tablets that dissolved slowly for when we travelled. A couple of tank decorations that can double as hiding spots are nice. Check out the resources below for more details.

I love my cats—the one with us now and the two waiting at the Rainbow Bridge—but African dwarf frogs are a great fur-free choice. Maybe it’s time to dust off that tank!

About the Author: Cheryl Burns is a Senior Legal Editor and Subject Matter Expert with BARBRI, a legal education company. She lives in quiet Central Pennsylvania but remains a proud King Street Cats supporter (and not just because Sweet Potato Bailey Burns (f/k/a just Bailey) is an alum!).