Opinion wanted :3 [Pets]

IRawrSkittles · August 2011

My little sister just had her sixteenth birthday and after talking to my mom, she decided we should get her a pet (she's been hinting at one for awhile-nothing specific, though) We don't want to get her a cat or a dog (my mom doesn't like cats and they already have two dogs) My mom's talking about getting something small that can live in a cage. Things My Mom Will Not Get -Rats. I know many of you have them on here and I personally am not against them, but my mom has a real phobia of them and would probably hurt it if it was out of it's cage. -Fish. There's not really much to these and my sister wants something that she can take care of instead of just cleaning the tank and feeding. -Snakes. This one isn't really about my mom, my sister is terrified of snakes >.> How do I know that's what my sister wants? I asked if "IF we got you a pet, what kind would you want?" Her response was: "I want something that I can hold and I can interact with and actually take care of." So, I guess we're left with guinea pigs, hamsters, etc etc. I do want many opinions on this because this is my sister's first animal by herself. If you have a small, indoor pet and want to post reasons why she should get one/why she shouldn't, that would be amazing. Thanks

BabyBean13 · August 2011

Hamsters make amazing pets for first time owners. Guinea Pigs are too much for a first time, gerbils are a bit too hyperactive, but hamsters tend to be mellowed out just right. I know from experience, owned all three types

When Rockie sees this, she'll give her input, lol. Ownes many rodents. But yeah. Hamsters are just all around cute, have awesome fur colors/patterns, aren't insanely hyperactive, easy to cuddle, and easy to care for (and on your mom's behalf, also look the least like rats ;P)

Sahara 123 · August 2011

I personally love gerbils. If you go to a breeder or another good source, they're usually pretty tame and used to people. The only downside is that most breeders I've encountered will only sell gerblis in pairs, unless you have a gerbil at home. This is because gerbils are very social and love to have a cagemate. I agree with BabyBean, guinea pigs are a TON of work. I had 6 of them, and was about ready to pull my hair out betweeen cleaning cages, baths, and clipping their hair (two were silkies whose hair grew at a fast rate). I don't know about normal hamsters, but I had two dwarf hamsters, and they both bit people. Pretty much any time I wanted to hold them I had to use a towel or something to protect my hands. You said your mom was opposed to rats, does that include mice? Problaly but they're fun pets. They were my first pet and they're pretty easy to care for. So my suggestion is gerbil or mouse.

woodpecker · August 2011

Just putting an idea here, although I have never personally owned one, so I wouldn't have any idea about answering questions or anything, but just as a suggestion; a chinchilla? I've heard they make good pets and there's information and things on this site: <a href="http://www.cheekychinchillas.com/"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">http://www.cheekychinchillas.com/</a> They're meant to be fairly low maintenance, clean and odor-less if that was going to be a problem. They're also fairly sociable once they've become comfortable with you, although that could take some time. Downsides can be vet's bills, need quite a large cage, they chew ALOT (so must be watched carefully if they are let out of the cage on a run.) and can live for 10+ years, so it's a large commitment.

BabyBean13 · August 2011

I've always wanted a Chinchilla! Sounds expensive though. And actually, I always say that they look like mutated gerbils XD Cuz they have the same tail and such. My aunt owned a Dwarf when I was younger so I don't quite remember much about him except for being brown and tiny. Hamsters do bite sometimes, but so do gerbils. Especially if you smell like food or anything that attracts them. It always depends on the personality of the creature. My hamsters were sweethearts, sadly one died after a couple weeks of having her cuz she was -just- old enough to be taken from the petstore and I guess she was homesick or something. So..my advice would not be getting one so young. The thing is, hamsters work great on their own. I fear with multiple (referring to getting gerbils), some of them are gonna recieve less attention and it's really just easier to care for one when just starting. I actually did have a whole family of them. The parents were storebought and supposedly the same gender (cuz we all know how much employees actually know about their animals >.>) and had babies. A few litters, actually and the original owner sold most of them to friends and such, kept a few for herself. Well when I went over to hang out with her I really wanted one. Mom actually bought me a pair of brothers that I liked. But then eventually Ashley didn't want to deal with them anymore so I took the whole rest of the family in. It was the mother in her cage, the father and 2 sons in one tank, my 2 that I originally had in another tank, and another brother in another tank (who my two were originally with but they couldn't be put back together. My favorite accepted him but the other bum picked a fight which got me gash-bitten trying to save him). But aaaaanywho. Some were alright, most were hyperactive (more so if you took them out), but the mother was a sweetheart. Just..what sucks is that if one is sick/dying the other(s) will eat it. I was Traumatized..twice..by this.

PhoenixEggz · August 2011

Ferrets? Ferrets are great pets. I've never owned one but would love one and have researched them, they're incredibly friendly and social and love attention. They're also very smart and really hyper. However, they tend to be high maintence because of this. They need several hours of 'play time' with you or other ferrets a day to be happy. I found one in a store that was dying to play with me, so I played with it and when I had to go I put it back. It was -attacking the sides of the cage to get me to come back-. Been in love with ferrets since, and if I had lived alone I may have bought that cutie right then since we already have a ferret cage. You should ask you sister if she can handle something a little higher maintence if she wants to. If she can't, I'd go with what everyone else says: Get her a hamster. She's sixteen, she should be able to handle it, but it is her choice. Ferrets should get along alright with dogs, as long as the dog is laid back and generally non-aggresive. A ferret will probably do summersaults on it or run around it, so you don't want them to snap and get mad. If not, you may have some problems.

TuffGirl · August 2011

I have a chinchilla and have owned three. From places I've read they recommend you have two, I think. I have not read up on them in quite some time, since I don't plan to buy another. I on the other hand, currently have one living on his own. He is very content, or appears to be. Like all rodents, they poop a lot. So, you do have to be sure to clean the cage and not leave it dirty. Also, they take dust bathes once or twice a week. We give ours a bath once a week. They have house and you put the dust in it and they flop around in it. It's adorable to watch them. Of course, Chinchillas have a bigger cage then most. Our cage is very large. We bought it when we had two and wanted to breed them. It has five or so levels. Cole has a lot of space to move around, but Chinchillas don't need as much as he has. They like snacks like raisins. But, you can't give them too many a day. Could cause Diabetes. And, like all rodents, they need things to chew on. Cole particularly loves these lava things and apple sticks. He also likes hay. None of the Chinchillas I've owned bite. Cole sometimes nibbles on my finger if I've just handled an interesting smelling food or something, but it's not a bite. When you hold them, they tend to feel more comfortable close to you and held with two hands. Though, one thing you have to consider is how long they live though. Chinchilla's can live up to 15 years. So, it's a commitment.

Kazuko · August 2011

Ferrets are amazing. I was given a ferret and knew very little about them, but she wasn't extremely difficult to handle or care for. People's major issue seems to be their smell, but if you're actually RESPONSIBLE and clean their cage and give them baths, they don't smell at all. Neither of mine did. I actually hid my first one from my father for six months in my bed room, and he didn't notice. Somehow. Despite the huge cage.

IRawrSkittles · August 2011

I'm kind of leaning towards getting her a Chinchilla or a Ferret

Thanks guys...I'm going to do research on both of these and see where it goes

BabyBean13 · August 2011

If not hamster, I vote Chinchi ^-^ Mainly biased towards wanting one myself, lol.

Mileysmybaby · August 2011

If she would spend alot of time with it a rabbit would be great. Their easy to take care of and if you get it when its a baby they are really friendly and I even had one that I personally "trained" (I played with it basically everyday and spent tons of time with it) to be house broke and it could go outside and it would come back in without running away, I

rabbits! I wish I still had some. If not I would say a gerbil or hampster or ferret, though I have not had any of them I want one lol.

lovefrompaige · August 2011

I vote either Rabbit or Ferret. lol I owned a ferret XD His name was Bruce Lee! And my best friend owned one and his name was Will Ferret haha (Will Ferrell)

SC`s Stars II · August 2011

Rabbits are always fun, and so are hamsters. I personally prefer my Geckos!

GiftyLover · August 2011

Yay Geckos! But consider a hedgehog! They are the funnest, cutest, amazing pets.

You can get them from breeds and they are very tame (Mine never bit because they are shy animals, he just curled into a ball when he was scared). look into it though, it is a unique and rewarding pet.

Minx · August 2011

I agree with Rabbits. Ive been breeding them for over a year now and i LOVE them. Theyre soo sweet and completely calm minded. The bigger they are the more friendly they are ive noticed. My 10 lbers like to be held and my little ones would rather be put down to run haha

Kazuko · August 2011

+ Maitre + wrote:

Yay Geckos! But consider a hedgehog! They are the funnest, cutest, amazing pets. You can get them from breeds and they are very tame (Mine never bit because they are shy animals, he just curled into a ball when he was scared). look into it though, it is a unique and rewarding pet.

There are quite a few states where hedgehogs are illegal to own, so be sure to look into your state restrictions beforehand.

IRawrSkittles · August 2011

I've decided on getting her a ferret

I've been contacting different shelters and even some breeders and have been doing a lot of research. Thanks everyone

Kazuko · August 2011

Best of luck! Some advice, avoid Marshall's ferrets. You can tell them apart because they'll have a blue tattoo on their ear. Many Marshall's ferrets live shorter, unhealthier lives despite Marshall being the largest ferret 'brand'. It'll be hard to find a non-Marshall ferret, but well worth it.

GiftyLover · August 2011

Congrats! Have lots of fun.

lovefrompaige · August 2011

lmao I wanna know what its name is gonna be! Please keep us updated!! Good luck to you guys (:

Doggirl1995 · August 2011

Wishing you guys the best of luck! We had the chance at owning ferrets. My Mom had a friend who needed to get rid of them fast, due to her developing allergies to them. But we were going on vacation, so my Mom`s friend Chris, who already had two ferrets, agreed to take them. Chris then passed them to us when we were back from vacation. They were LOTS of fun. However, Chris ended up taking them back from us (he`s not sure if he's going to rehome or keep them as one of his own ferrets just passed away) They need lots of SUPERVISED play time. My family is just way too busy to be able to commit to 3 hours a day, which is what a ferret ideally needs at least. And when they're out, you need to have a constant eye on them. They get into EVERYTHING. And they have absolutely no fear about anything. If they manage to climb up on something high, they are never careful and you need to be very careful about them falling, because they try climbing around in places they can't quite reach, and then lose balance. They just never have any though about consequence. I don't know if mine just had more natural odor than Kaz's did, but, mine had their scent glands removed, we bathed them once or twice every 2 weeks, and cleaned the cage every day.. and as we neared each end of the 2 weeks, my room smelled disgusting. Even with air fresheners. Also, mine didn't really like human interaction very much. They just weren't interested, they would rather be off exploring the house and climbing and getting into things. They would play with us for a little bit, and never ran away or anything when we grabbed for them, but they never would seek us out on their own. And, ferret proofing is very difficult, they can fit anywhere their head can fit, and they are totally flexible. They can fit and squeeze into the tiniest places, which is another reason they need supervised play time, otherwise you might lose it! Also, they pretty much have absolutely no will to please. When I attempted any training with them, their attention span is just too short. Eventually I wanted them litter trained, but it was very hard. I attempted with no success. I really didn't like having an animal that I couldn't train not to poop everywhere, because cleaning it up is not fun, especially when they do it in tight places. Just a few things I learned from experience with mine! They weren't a good fit for my family, because we just couldn't put the time they needed into them. They can be a fabulous pet, but time is major. Also, they just aren't the kind of animal we like to own. We like our animals to be affectionate, and trainable. I'm sure with more time these guys had the potential to get there, but as mentioned, we just couldn't consistently put the time into them that they need to thrive. Ooh and, they have a very short attention span as I mentioned before, so they are always going from one thing to the next! My two LOVED to play in boxes and plastic bags, and they also loved being able to climb. So, yours may enjoy similar things! We also had a tube for ours, which is liked to play in occasionally. But boxes and bags are really cheap toys that they find fairly entertaining! Good luck with yours!

Kazuko · August 2011

Both of my jills (female ferrets) were very sociable, and would seek you out and pounce on your toes and fingers and then bounce away hissing, or climb up your pant leg, or dive at you from under the coffee table, etc. And honestly, we started leaving our second jill, Deja Vu Du, out and about 24 hours a day. She got as much freedom in the house as the cat, which instantly became her best friend. The two slept together and played together and shared food and even wandered outside for explorations amongst our hens... the ferret always came back. Dog doors = no problem to them. xD

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Opinion wanted :3 [Pets]

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