My indoor cats have not so much as maimed any of them after many interactions. What could possibly make a better toy than a living organism that the cat can't kill?
2006-11-03 17:37:29 · 8 answers · asked by Deacon S 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
My cats are trained to eat moths & other bugs I get in my apartment, but they haven't killed the hermit crabs yet. No hermit crabs have lost limbs yet. My cats are actually kind of affectionate toward 'em. At worst, the crab gets batted at, pops in, pops out, and starts trucking again. I'm thinking that my hermit crabs have more nuts than anybody that has answered this so far.
2006-11-03 19:54:33 · update #1
My cats get bored. They get bored of laser lights. They're bored of battery powered gizmos. They're bored of balls of foil, tinkle-bell balls, and sticks with feathers. They sure like playing with their hermit crabs though!
2006-11-03 20:08:27 · update #2
My hermit crabs pop out of their shells right away when I hold them because they're used to running palm to palm on me. They get fresh food and popcorn, are in ideal humidity and temperature conditions, and are quite active.
I'll admit, they have more personality than I thought they would when I first wanted to test this idea. That doesn't change the fact that they are the best cat toys ever though!
See my next question on this topic.
2006-11-04 03:35:34 · update #3
I am going to get flack for this, but here goes. I assume the crabs are in their natural habitat or they could not survive. In their habitat they are safe from all preditors inside the shell. They will leave their shells when they outgrow the old ones. And many become food. That is Mother Nature at work. Does it really matter if it is a bird, racoon, or a cat?
Once we had hamsters & cats. My daughter bought a ball she could put a hamster into securely to let it play on the floor. The cats loved it & the hamsters seemed to also. Another freind did this with a white rat & a cat. How did we know the rodents liked it? Because whenever we brought out the ball, they dove in. All the rodents died of old age. Now, would you call this cruel?
2006-11-03 18:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by bob h 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think this cruel. Hermit Crabs might not be all warm, fuzzy, and cute as other pets, but they are living and breathing creatures! They do have personalities and they can be quite cute and fun to interact with.... if you take the time.
As a pet owner it is your responsibility to make sure your pets are provided with their basic needs, shown attention, and are SAFE. Your hermit crabs rely on you, they are at your mercy.
Letting your cats use them as a batting toy is dangerous, they may not lose a limb, but they could be hurt and even killed. Think about it, how would you like to be in an enclosed area while being thrown and bopped all around? Even if the cats have not killed them YET they are being jostled around in there, they do have brains. Also, allowing this to happen will only make them non-trusting and skittish....they may never come out of their shells for you again.
Go to the pet store and buy your cats some proper toys, there are a ton of them that are appropriate. It may be instinct for the cats to play with these little guys, but again it is YOUR job to watch over all your pets.
I suggest you take the time to get to know your hermit crabs so you can see how interesting they really are. Maybe then you will have more respect for them.
2006-11-04 02:14:10 · answer #2 · answered by luv2lotto 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm worried that the crabs will pinch the cats. My biggest hermit crab pinched me and we had to hold her under warm water until she let go! It seem ed like forever until she let go. Now picture this, cat has a hermit crab attacked to it's nose with a powerful pincher, the only way you can get the crab off the cat is by running it under warm water, then you have a panicing cat made worse by running water over it's face. So why not buy some of those wind up toys? Those may work... Have you tried honey suckle toys? My cats went crazy when I got them some(trust me they didn't let me sleep that night)
2006-11-04 03:51:55 · answer #3 · answered by pharfly1 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A small plastic ball is the best, when they tap it sideways it"ll seem as though it is running away. Don"t give the poor little crabs a heart attack--how would you like to be stuck inside your car (no gas left) no nearby food or water, no weapons, with four hungry lions running circles around you ?
2006-11-03 17:58:45 · answer #4 · answered by Daisy P 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You do not respect nature and the question is not amusing. Hermit crabs are living creatures----not play toys! Am sure that most other answerer's agree.
2006-11-03 20:00:53 · answer #5 · answered by kriend 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
its very possible for the little hermit crab to lose a limb, that sucks! Thats pretty evil. Im sure when you were little you were the type to burn insects with a magnifying glass for fun werent you/
2006-11-03 17:48:01 · answer #6 · answered by Esme 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Red laser pointer drives them crazy. My cat digs my measuring tape..
2006-11-03 17:45:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
a toy cat nip mouse but as for the crabs there not toys period and you shouldn't let your cats play with them
2006-11-03 17:41:26 · answer #8 · answered by precious_52806 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋