Whats the pet for me?

[tank212]

Ok I am looking for a pet preferably one that isn't over the 50-100 dollar price range. It will be kept in my room and have a section by my fish tank. I cannot have a cat because my sister is allergic. I also don't want a pet that is fairly calm and is easy to train. I have kept a hamster in the past it was fun but they tend to be a bit nippy. I also don't want a guinea pig because my sister has one and its too skittish and likes to bite shirts. Please recommend the pet for me!! It can be anything that follows the guidelines I have set. Oh and not another fish tank

 

[Angel Lady]

A ferret. Is the best pet I have ever owned. I love them. Then again whats not to love. But you have to be able to spend time with them. They demand attention. But they are easy to train. You have to ferret proof your house, when I say ferret proof I mean make sure he cant escape and put things away so it cant get to them like mouth wash Mine nearly died because it dranked over half...

 

[tank212]

Aren't they expensive tho? I also heard they can be smelly. I would like to have a ferret but I think it is way out of my price range.

 

[OohFeeshy]

What about a dwarf rabbit? Cute, easy to handle, you need to make sure nothing can be nibbled etc. you don't want to, but worth it.
www.rabbit.org

All you need to know about house rabbits.

 

[tank212]

That is a good idea I was thinking about getting either 2 dwarf hamsters, a rat, possibly dwarf rabbit, or a teddy bear hamster. I think a rat would be cool cause of how smart they are I could train them probably easier than the rest.

 

[SirMinion]

That is a good idea I was thinking about getting either 2 dwarf hamsters, a rat, possibly dwarf rabbit, or a teddy bear hamster. I think a rat would be cool cause of how smart they are I could train them probably easier than the rest.

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Dwarf hamsters are often nippy, the larger 'teddybear' hamsters are docile and easily handled. I've kept them for the last 30 years and have never been bitten.

Alternatively, Gerbils are never smelly because they rarely urinate and their poop is dry, they're lively and interesting and not at all inclined to bite.

 

[MasterDrummer]

I vote for a rat. They aren't expensive, they are very smart, and they are clean.
If you can get two because they like to play with each other. Also don't use cedar or pine bedding. And get a big enough cage with multiple levels. Not one of those hamster ones with the tubes.

 

[tank212]

Im thinking of this and if anyone disagrees let me know. I am thinking of getting a teddy bear hamster since it can stay by itself. I was thinking of getting a long plastic bin about 2 feet long and drill holes in it to air it out. I was also wondering what type of toys and things they like. Wheels,chew toys etc.

 

[Angel Lady]

I think ferrets are a lot better than rats for pets. Rats are nippy also..I bought mine for 150.00 dollars, To me if you really get to know your ferrets that is no wheres near enough money..

 

[tank212]

I totally agree with you but I am currently without a job and I am in school so I can't get 150 bucks easy. I would love to have a ferret I think they're cool but with school I don't think I could give it the attention it needs. I go to school at 730 am and I don't get home till 215. I will definently look into one in the future tho I think they're really neat.

 

[MegTheFish]

Why not adopt a ferret from your local shelter? It might be cheaper. (depending on the shelter though)

 

[tank212]

Well I have made my decision I will be getting a syrian or (teddy bear hamster). I have most of the stuff for it already all I gotta purchase is the food and the hamster of course maybe a toy or two.

 

[KeddyPie]

Rats are absolutly NOT nippy, unless they have never been socialized. The one rat I have ever been bitten by was my boy Torgo, who had a very traumatic past and is having a lot of trouble accepting people. Every single other rat I have owned/handled has been completly non-vicious, even when they were scared.

But also, rats are not cheap to keep - Only to buy. Considering they really need to be kept in pairs/groups, for a cage of adaquit size you'll be spending at least $50 bucks for a new one, or 20 or so for a used one. Also, unless you get then from a recognised breeder, females have a high chance of tumors, which need to be surgically corrected. In my 3 years of keeping rats, I've spent about $3000 on medical bills ALONE.

Getting a pair of males can run cheap - My 2 current boys are in a hand-me-down cage and in perfect health, so I have spent very little money on them at the time. But like my past rats, they have the potential to get very expensive in a very short amount of time.

*cough* Sorry for the little rant. But even though they are cheap, they are not a cheap pet. I would never, ever reccomend them as a pet to someone who does not have a job and money to spend.

However, if you want a pet that doesnt' smell, and is very easy to care for... I found Spiny Mice to be quite nice. However, they are jumpy... But very friendly.

 

[tank212]

I was thinking about mice or hamster I geuss I will decide tomorrow when I go. Are you able to handle mice? Do they need to be in groups?

 

[MasterDrummer]

I agree with keddy, but compared to other pets rats are still cheaper. If you have a dog you need to pay medical bills aswell and if you get a dog from a breeder it will put you back a lot. I never meant they were a cheap pet. just cheaper than larger pets. And in initial cost. Also they are well worth all the extra money.

Its also hard to find a vet that works with them.