What pet should I get?

Question

I already have a dog but i've narrowed it down to 2 things..

1. I can get a house turtle, which i've never had before (I hear they live a long time.. so that's def. something I wanna get)

2. A hamster, I used to have one but I returned it after a week because, when I put it in a cage, it would scratch the walling of it's cage and it would irritate me and for some reason, I would itch REALLY bad when I heard that sound lol..

Anyways, I want to know if a turtle would be a good Idea to get, but I need help with a couple of things, I need to know EVERYTHING about caring for a red-eared slider
I also want to know if they die easily?
I need to know what kind of tank to get it.. all that stuff, what to feed it..

BUT MOST important I need to find a way to pursuade my parents to let me keep one? I'm thinking of presenting them with a full report about turtles, to show them i've thought deep and hard about this.

anyways, I need some opinons/advise/help

Answer 1

I happen to love turtles. I would also have to say that if you already had a hamster and returned it, it's probably not a good idea for you to get another (whose to say the same thing won't happen).
Turtles are really cool but since there are so many different kinds I really don't know what to tell you about this particular one. Two pieces of advice:
1.) Go to either a pet store or to your local library to get a book or
two on this particular kind of turtle and the care there of.
2.) Make sure that there is a local vet that can/will treat your turtle
in case the turtle gets sick or injured. Not ever vet treats
turtles. If there aren't any vets nearby that will take turtles
it's not responsible to have one.
Also, always make sure you have some kind of income ($$$) for you to take care of the turtle (food, vet bills...). If you can show your parents that you are responsible enough to keep a job (a paper route or even just an allowance for doing household chores) they may be more willing to not only let you get a pet but they may even be willing to help you pay for part of it's care.
Good Luck!

Answer 2

Turtles and reptiles are wonderful creatures--very beautiful. But they don't like to be held or petted, and while it is gratifying when they come to know you and recognize you, they can't give back love the way a fuzzy creature can.

Turtles and reptiles take a lot more care, if they are to be healthy and happy, than the fuzzies do. Really think about the fact that they need lots of changing and cleaning, they need real food and won't do well on the packaged stuff you get at the pet store. You have to do a lot of research on you particular turtle or reptile if you want it to thrive.

Cleaning tanks, cleaning what's in the tanks, constantly supplying live or fresh food, and getting it out of the tank and new in at least every 24 hours, changing the water every 24 hours, setting up the right environment with lights, heater, and various other paraphernalia take a lot of energy and study.

If you have a walk-around reptile, you have to be sure that it isn't around food, because alll reptiles carry Salomonella.

I have a reptile, and love her dearly, but she has cost me a bundle to set up properly, and has given me some hefty vet bills. Reptiles become very ill from a variety of causes and need to be treated or they will die. They are long lived, but really quite fragile without the right care and habitat.

If none of that bothers you, you can have, if not a great pet, a great hobby. Habitats for reptiles can be a focal point in any room, with beautiful colors and shapes. Watching your reptile is a lot of fun, and totally fascinating. There are clubs, journals and websites where you can talk to others about your animal and your habitat.

As for a red-eared slider, I can't tell you, but you might start at PetSmart, where they will give you a free care sheet that's pretty good. You can also pick up books and magazines there. There is information online, and I think the best thing is to find a good vet right away and get your turtle checked out. I would NOT trust the guys at a reptile store. I have been given almost lethal advice from those guys.

Answer 3

I think you are leaning towards the tortoise. The web is full of information. Redearslider.com can help you with the information. I think they can live for up to 50 years!! All living organisms including us can die easily. I know that you can avoid the pitfalls so that your tortoise will live a long and happy life.I've had hamster and they are not clean animals like some other rodents. Their lifespan is short and cute can only go so far with interest. have fun. Tell your parents that these tortoises keep insects down and do develop personalities. They have very positive chi in a home. I hope you succeed and have a great year.

Answer 4

Neither, get a dog, present them with a full report on Lab. retrievers. They are the most loyal friendly dogs you can own. We have two right now and have always had labs. Also, prove you can take care of them. They are great friends once you get them house broken.
Okay, go with the turtle if you must.

Answer 5

a snake is good it eats 1ce every 2 weeks
and it needs to be cleaned every month... fun pet.
parents will agree useually when they hear that there is not much caring.
the only thing is.
no fast movments.
take him out ATLEAST!!! 4 days out of a 7 day week. if this habbit stops. he will start to get independent and not like you anymore

Answer 6

hamster or guinea pig. guinea pigs are similar to hamsters, but they are calmer, don;t run away, and teyy are a little bigger, hamsters look really lazy in thier cages, they barely do anything, they just sit and it just looks like a ball of fur, but they still are fun to play with. Also, guinea pigs look SOOO cute when they are resting. Get a guinea pig or hamster. And guinea pigs dont stratch! unless you dont cut thier nails and they accedently stracth you when they go on you, they love to cuddle with you, especially your neck, i almost returned my guinea pig becuase it was too shy and she was really boring. guinea pigs are still pretty fun to play with when you first get one , but after a few weeks, she will remmeber you and squeak whenever you come near, usually becuase she wants food or she just wants you to come over. They are very easy to take care of, im only 11 years old, and i am taking care of my guinea pig by myself. She is also my first pet. Guina pigs live to about 8 years old. Turtles are boring, what do they do? eat lettuce in their cages and hide in their shells when you pick them up.its like having a rock.
I have a guinea pig and a hamster.

Answer 7

no not really turtles don't really die that easily...my brother has one and he hasn't fed it in like 5 days and it's still alive... then show your parents that you're responsible by giving them a list of thing you're willing to do to get a turtle...

Answer 8

Get a cat. Cats are the best pet you could get. They practically take care of themselves. All you have to do is feed them and clean out there litterbox.

Answer 9

Get a rock, a pet rock! It will outlive the turtle!

Answer 10

get a hamster