My dog recently passed away and I'm seeking a new pet. Something small -I'd love to have a dog again but my father is totally against having another one in our home. He was never a dog fan but allowed him in because my mom was dog crazy. She passed away in 2005. I'll abide by his request until that great day in the far future when I may have one again. BUT he didn't say no to a smaller pet, something I can keep in a cage and let out when I'm supervising it. What smaller critter makes for the best pet? I'm seeking something friendly, playful, intelligent, has a tendency not to snip or bite when handled gently. Any ideas? What are the plusses and "whatch out for"s of each?
2007-03-24 18:32:30 · 14 answers · asked by scorpiocto27 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I think you should get a guinea pig. I use to have seven of them. They are cute, (if you get the right kind) cuddly and sweet. You can feed them lots of different things, take them outside during the summer time, let them run around your house. The negative? They squeak a lot when you don't want them to like at night, but you can get them to stop by feeding them a treat.
also they need lots of attention and cage cleaning at least once a week preferably daily basic scoop cleaning on top of it but i never did. Hamsters, ferrets and rabbits don't make noise. Hamsters are too small to cuddle with, ferrets themselves usually stink like pee, rabbits are really quiet and make you think they are sad which make you feel bad about how you are taking care of it. it all depends on what you want, how much time and attention you have to devote to it and I still think you should get a guinea pig. If you decide to get a guinea pig and need more information on them let me know and I would be glad to help. I know some about hamsters and rabbits too.
2007-03-24 21:24:14 · answer #1 · answered by butterflybaby20082007 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I would suggest is a rabbit. At most animal shelters, they have more than they can handle. You would need a larger cage than with a hamster, but many are litter box trained so it is more like a cat. Rabbits are extremely sweet and loving. If you do decide on a Rabbit, get a larger cage to keep wherever, but a litter box to keep where they would have easy access. That way you could put the Rabbit in the cage when its home alone but in your house when your home. Or a even better idea. Make the cage large enough for a letterbox. Then put the litter box in the cage. Then leave the cage open whenever you are home and can watch him-her. That way they have a litter box in their cage. The only downside is that it would have to be a kind of large cage. I would say 2ft or 3 ft by 3 ft of 4 ft. It would vary with the size of your rabbit. I wish I could have a rabbit but right now I have a cat and he is a little bit deadly.
2007-03-24 19:30:54 · answer #2 · answered by Dani 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a rabbit. They are cleaner and calmer than the other animals you have named(you can even train a bunny to use a litter box.) I have never owned a ferrit, but I have owned the others and I believe the rabbit is the best choice(I have never been bitten by a rabbit,lol and I use to let her hop around outside her cage. She thought she was a cat(and the cats accepted her too). she use to drink ice tea out of my cup when I had it sitting on the floor. Guinea pigs are ok, but dirtier. I had bad luck with hampsters. The few I were around were vicious.
2007-03-24 18:44:42 · answer #3 · answered by ralahinn1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I own 2 ferrets and i think they are wonderful, and i onced owned a guenea pig and it stunk way worse then my ferrets ever have, so i know most people say they stink but if you buy them with there scent glands removed and bath them regurlay(just like other pets) and keep there cage clean then they dont smell no worse then a dog. But i think they are a lot more responcibility then the other animals you asked about, or a dog. BUt they are very playful no matter what, and very funny to watch, and make cleanin your rooom fun ( i know its unbeliviable) but they love it when i make my bed, and when i sweep it is very funny to watch them good luck with your new pet!
2007-03-24 19:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by [[I am the mess you chose]] 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
guinea pigs are noisy and messy hamsters are notorious biters ferrets are playfully intelligent but do sometimes bit if not handled right rabbets in my experience don't like to be handled my favored small pet is a Fancie rat they are very clean very friendly playful intelligent and i don't think you can make them bit unless you have food on you i have owned all but a rabbet and was told they weren't friendly by a pet store it coasted them a sell so i trust them out of all of them i would say a rat second choirs would be a ferrite
2007-03-24 18:47:55 · answer #5 · answered by Waylon V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamster but the only prob is you cant sleep at night but eventualy ull get used to it
I had to give up my cat 2 years ago coz i came to england and my stupid absolutely ridicilous landlord doesnt want an animal in hes house my mum dont mind a hamster but the landlord i keep beging her she keeps saying no but i keep crying and i try to make my mum fell bad (im so bad) so she gets me one i cant have dog eather and im like to my mum " i looked after the cat properly and the fish i cant have a hamster now?" lol so im soth of getting there soon but first i need cash to get the cage today im cleaning dads car gosh its discusting lol filthy to he will give me £5 and my lunch money is £10 so i wont eat im getting skiny even do im allready skiny when i grow up i wana be a model lol
any ways never get a fish their hard to clean and u cant fell them that much get a hamster cya
and thx for letting me let me feeling out
and when you choose a pet then find out stuff about it and what to do coz otherwise it will die quickly i read so many pages about hasters im an expert in them now bye
2007-03-24 21:46:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I recommend rabbits or guinea pigs. I have 2 of each, and I enjoy them very much. Rabbits are very sweet and are easily trained to a litter box. Guinea pigs are cute and fun, but are a little messier than rabbits. Hamsters are nice but they have a very short life span.
2007-03-24 21:23:50 · answer #7 · answered by Lori 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a syrian (teddy bear) hamster. They are placid, laid back, and generaly dont bite beacuse of their relaxed nature. I am actually a married woman and me and my husband wanted a rescue cat, so we contacted our landlady and she said no as we dont have a large garden. So like you, dogs and cats were out. So we decided on a hamster. We have had him a year and he brings as just as much joy as any bigger pet would.
The only thing I guess to watch out for is the fact they are nocturnal so they sleep for alot of the day. So if dad tells you to keep the hamster in your bedroom he could keep you awake. But we keep Harry in the living room.
2007-03-24 21:00:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guinea pigs can be very noisy and loud.
Hampsters are nice, but most don't like to be handled and they can smell aweful.
Ferrits are great if you raise them right. They need handling daily or else they'll turn.
Rabbits are wondeful, i am a lionhead breeder, but they if unaltered will spray.
All these animals are likely to bite.
You may also want to consider a rat, theyre friendly, smart, and are rather clean.
2007-03-24 20:50:34 · answer #9 · answered by Stephanie V 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
chinchillas! they are relatively small, and amazing. they are smart sweet, intelligent little critters. with loving handling and usual interaction you can find that they are a great alternative to a dog. they are social creatures and each one definitely has their own personality. i advise going someplace that breeds them, not a pet store because the breeders will socialize them, while taking care not to overstimulate them- whereas the pet stores in the mall and such usually just have them on display like they're not living creatures or something.
anyways good luck
2007-03-24 18:39:38 · answer #10 · answered by Lucie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋