is this pet-overkill?
cat,fish,gerbil & a bird?
i dont have them yet,but have been thinking of getting some pets.
2006-11-14 01:26:18 · 16 answers · asked by forest lover 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
When you cannot adequately provide them with the food and vet service they need.
2006-11-14 01:29:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you can't do the things you need to do- work, school, etc.- and still take good care of your pets (food, water, attention, cage cleaning, vet care, grooming, etc.) you have too many pets.
I don't think 4 animals is too many- I have a cat, 3 lizards, 2 snakes, and a fish tank. But I would suggest you get one pet at a time, and make sure you're comfortable taking care of that pet before you think about another one. Be especially careful before getting a bird- birds need a LOT of personal interaction, and many will become aggressive or self-destructive if they don't get it. Cats are a great starter pet, because they are so self sufficient. Gerbils are good too. Fish tanks are HARD to care for- mine has been running for 6 months and I still don't have it properly balanced, plus you have to do daily and weekly maintenance or all the fish will die and you'll have to start over. I would start with the cat and gerbil, and see how that goes over the course of 6 months to 1 year. If you think you have enough time and money after that, you can try another pet.
If you live in a rental property, make sure you ask the leasing office or landlord before you bring in too many animals! Most places do put limits on how many and what kind of pets you can keep there.
2006-11-14 09:43:12 · answer #2 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OH my! How much money, time and space do you have??
We have three dogs, three birds, two horses at the moment. Told Mr. I want a couple more birds and getting a pup soon.
I am a stay at home mom who LOVES critters. So does everyone else in the house.
I used to own a pet shop and breeding facility for rodents as well as a reptile rescue at the same time. Now that was having animals!
As a kid I bred hamsters as well as my pet birds, couple dogs and at least one cat......and all the critters I would find homes for. Really depends on the money you have and space and if you can afford vet bills and/or keep everyone healthy!
I guess it depends if you live in the city or not as well?
2006-11-14 09:39:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a reasonable combination - provided the gerbil and bird are in cages, away from the cat.
Don't get them all at the same time because you need to give yourself some time to adjust to caring for them one at a time.
2006-11-14 11:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by BelindaLoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While owning animals takes alot of patience and tlc.The animals you have chosen are not as needy as a dog.As long as you have the time and money to care for them,Ithink that it should be your decision.I am an animal lover and to me the more the merrier.While I have 4 dogs and 7 cats for me right now this is enough.I do not want to get a pet that i can not devote time for.Good Luck in your choices.
2006-11-14 09:34:11 · answer #5 · answered by dina m 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how big your house is. How close is your house to your neighbors'? Birds are noisy, and the cats litter box, fish tank and gerbil cage can get smelly. I have been thinking of getting just one dog myself but I am not sure if I am ready.
2006-11-14 09:46:25 · answer #6 · answered by MeRmAiD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So long as you can afford the veterinary care for the ones you get, can afford to the time to take care of their needs and to feed them and provided you have the correct housing for them (you live in a house or an apartment that allows pets), then it's a personal decision for you.
I have three cats, that's my monetary limit. I'd love a whole houseful, but my pocketbook and my time schedule doesn't allow for that.
Just be sure to be responsible for whichever ones you have.
Good Luck!
2006-11-14 09:31:41 · answer #7 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 dogs and they are alot of work. Be sure you think about your lifestyle when choosing your animals. Depending on the pet, you will not have the ability to live as you do now. Your life will revolve around your new found "children." As long as you are ready for the responsibilties that go along with it, you will be fine...otherwise, choose carefully.
2006-11-14 09:33:58 · answer #8 · answered by Tina T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Follow this guideline:
Maximum pets to keep for each category or all at once that they're still manageable:
cats - 3
dogs - 2
gerbils - 5
birds - 3
2006-11-14 11:11:58 · answer #9 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Too much is when you can't properly take care of your animals. When it's too overwhelming. I know my limit is no more then 2 dogs ,3 cats is it.
2006-11-14 09:32:41 · answer #10 · answered by pitbullmom 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋