Pets..of the nonhuman variety (Full Version)

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kitriana -> Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 9:51:07 AM)

Living alone is getting rather old, and I think I would like to get a pet. The thing is, my apartment complex (which is currently giving away puppies in the main office), charges a $500-700 pet deposit (per pet) plus additional rent. Thus cats and dogs are out.

So, has anyone had good experiences with fish, ferrets, chinchilas, or anything else of the small can be pinned up variety? I really do enjoy animals. But having only raised cats and dogs, I am not so sure about blindly going out and getting a new buddy without some advice.



AAkasha -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 9:57:16 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kitriana

Living alone is getting rather old, and I think I would like to get a pet. The thing is, my apartment complex (which is currently giving away puppies in the main office), charges a $500-700 pet deposit (per pet) plus additional rent. Thus cats and dogs are out.

So, has anyone had good experiences with fish, ferrets, chinchilas, or anything else of the small can be pinned up variety? I really do enjoy animals. But having only raised cats and dogs, I am not so sure about blindly going out and getting a new buddy without some advice.


There are many pets that I haven't experienced, but of the ones I have, I think ferrets come closest to cats/dogs in their companionship/intelligence level compared to other small pets, but they need a higher level of attention and work, also.  If you are prepared to spend time with the ferret and are ok with the musky scent, they are intelligent and playful and bond to you.   They can be caged but do need adequate time outside of their cage to burn off energy. If you think you might be challenged by that at times, consider getting two instead of one, but make sure you can give them the time they need with you.  Also be prepared for possible medical costs down the road as they are prone to some nasty things.  My ferret encountered medical conditions not too uncommon and ran me about $2,500 over the course of 5 years, but was well worth it.

For something warm and fuzzy, considerably less expensive, but adequate bonding capability to humans, consider a rat. If you can get beyond the long tail and beady eyes, they are far more intelligent and loving than hamsters.  If you spend a great deal of time with a rat they can learn just about anything.

Akasha



NakedGirlScout -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:18:19 AM)

I think rats are pretty much top of the line if you need something very small. They're quite intelligent and affectionate compared to something like chinchillas.

Might you reconsider getting a cat? The amount of money you mentioned is not really a very large amount when you look at the cost of feeding and vet care over the lifetime of a pet. Would they keep that deposit for years and years or would they return it at some point? I think a cat is a much better companion than anything else except a dog if you're a dog person. And they're generally not destructive and undemanding pets.



Najakcharmer -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:22:31 AM)

Reptiles are quite nice, undemanding except for slightly specialized housing needs (temperature range/humidity/substrate/hide box basically), and can be cuddly.  Consider a bearded dragon or a ball python perhaps?



AAkasha -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:24:40 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NakedGirlScout

I think rats are pretty much top of the line if you need something very small. They're quite intelligent and affectionate compared to something like chinchillas.

Might you reconsider getting a cat? The amount of money you mentioned is not really a very large amount when you look at the cost of feeding and vet care over the lifetime of a pet. Would they keep that deposit for years and years or would they return it at some point? I think a cat is a much better companion than anything else except a dog if you're a dog person. And they're generally not destructive and undemanding pets.


I would still rethink the cat based on the OP.  If the person is concerned about the deposit and additional fees for getting a dog or cat, they might not be prepared for the overall costs of the lifetime of the pet.  Getting the cat neutered, getting shots, taking care of it when it becomes ill, the cost of litter and food, etc.   One of my pet peeves is that people get dogs and cats and don't realize they are taking on a financial commitment for the lifetime of the animal and should be prepared to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical care if needed.  That's why I wanted to point out that ferrets, while more intelligent and affecionate than most small pets, can cost a bundle.

Akasha



NakedGirlScout -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:52:32 AM)

Yes that's very true Akasha, and I know it first-hand since I am a foster home for unwanted cats that were rescued last-minute from pounds before they were to be euthenized. It's a very good point to make, for any animal, there are certain costs associated with it. But without getting too far off the poster's question, the companionship quality of animals seems to be somewhat tied to how expensive they are to keep, like for example a goldfish is going to be a lightweight in both the cost and companionship departments. Although I am personally a softhearted person who once spent hundreds of dollars rescuing my gerbil from an ear infection... LOL.



cjenny -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:55:12 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kitriana

Living alone is getting rather old, and I think I would like to get a pet. The thing is, my apartment complex (which is currently giving away puppies in the main office), charges a $500-700 pet deposit (per pet) plus additional rent. Thus cats and dogs are out.

So, has anyone had good experiences with fish, ferrets, chinchilas, or anything else of the small can be pinned up variety? I really do enjoy animals. But having only raised cats and dogs, I am not so sure about blindly going out and getting a new buddy without some advice.



Rats are fun! Every ferret I've ever known has been a wee bit 'stinky' & has had medical problems which can get pricey. I'm terrified of birdies but I've heard some folks like the beady eyed & taloned creatures. Plus they can sing hehe.
One of my favs would be gerbils. I love the whole Habitrail set up and they can end up huge twisty palaces.



AAkasha -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 10:55:32 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NakedGirlScout

Yes that's very true Akasha, and I know it first-hand since I am a foster home for unwanted cats that were rescued last-minute from pounds before they were to be euthenized. It's a very good point to make, for any animal, there are certain costs associated with it. But without getting too far off the poster's question, the companionship quality of animals seems to be somewhat tied to how expensive they are to keep, like for example a goldfish is going to be a lightweight in both the cost and companionship departments. Although I am personally a softhearted person who once spent hundreds of dollars rescuing my gerbil from an ear infection... LOL.


I paid hundreds of dollars to remove a tumor from a $2 rat once, and she died anyway.  Yes, sometimes it can be kind of out of control when you think of it; even small animals can get sick, and at what point do you just shrug and say oh well?   I think ferrets are closer to cats/dogs than they are to rats/mice/hamsters and should be treated as such.  I might be crazy enough to take a rat to the vet and pay hundreds of dollars, but I don't judge other people if they don't in that case.  However, I do have a problem with people who don't provide medical care for their dogs, cats, etc.
Akasha



aviinterra -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 11:01:39 AM)

Having had a lot of different pets throughout the years, I can say a rat would be good for you. Chins are like ferrets in a way, you should get two of them and they really need a lot of playtime. Think of them like small kids with vast amounts of energy. Reptiles are not easy to take care of, and many people fail to comprehend the amount of money you need to spend of lighting and creating a favorable climate, not to mention the complex diets most have- all for an animal that might never be friendly enough to pet. Please, please, do not get an iguana. I have raised three and they are by far not for someone inexperienced with reptiles, and they grow up big! 



Sinergy -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 12:11:43 PM)

 
I have had lots of different pets.

I also had a business at one point designing, installing, and maintaining fishtanks in corporate offices.

Aquariums are gorgeous and depending on what kind of fish you get for it, can provide you with hours of entertainment.  My tastes went towards African cichlids and a fish called an arowana.  The cichlids got eating size, were profoundly aggressive, and would jump out of the tank to eat live goldfish from my hand.  The arowana got almost 3 feet long and, while he was not aggressive, he would strike any cichlid that gave him a hard time like a snake.

The thing about aquariums is a bit counter-intuitive.  The more water volume you have in the tank, the easier it is to take care of.  The water has to buffer the waste chemicals from fish excrement, etc., and it takes a tremendous amount of that to pollute 300 gallons.

Sinergy



DomKen -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 12:59:24 PM)

I've lived around wild monk parrakeets and I think they likely would make a good pet. A beautiful green that is fairly smart for a bird and hardy enough to survive Chicago winters outside. You might want to find out how they do in a cage though.



MsSonnetMarwood -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 12:59:36 PM)

I have a cockatiel and a lovebird - both are hand raised and very friendly with select people who handle them regularly.   There's a picture of my lovebird, Gremlin, in my profile getting a belly rub. 

"Hand raised" means that when the babies are 2-3 weeks old (or even sooner), they're taken away from their parents and fed by human hand.  The result is that they think they're "little people" and tend to be fairly tame.

While I would definately recommend birds as pets, I would also recommend doing some research so you understand their behavior well, as well as their needs.  If you decide you want to get one, go to a reputable small breeder (one that raises them in a home environment and handles them regularly) or a bird-only pet store.  You'll need a decent sized cage (larger than you would think), toys, natural wood perches, and you'll need to investigate what is the best food for them.  A seed-only diet is horribly bad for them, so you want to think about getting them on a pellet based diet or Nutriberries, which is what I give my birds, in addition to fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain bread (a favorite for both of them), brown rice, etc. 

A really great resource is Bird Talk magazine - they have a ton of information about everything from feeding to housing to behavior.

ALL birds need one-on-one interaction on a regular (think an hour a day) basis to be happy.  A good rule of thumb is that the larger the bird, the more noise issues you will have.  I enjoy the noise level of the birds that I currently have - pleasant, but not overly loud.  I probably won't get larger birds simply because I don't like the noise level associated with them.



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 12:59:54 PM)

I dunno about spending hundreds of thousands.  I agree that basic spay/neuter costs, regular vet checks, food, water, shots and perhaps extra expenses should be taken into account.

But I'm not the type to spend thousands on x rays and blood tests and surgeries for a cat.  I love all of mine, and when one got old and sick, we did do regular medication and kept him as comfy as possible, but we weren't going to put ourselves in serious financial stress for a dying cat.



darkinshadows -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 1:05:13 PM)

My son had gerbils - loved them.  Lasted 5 years and were adorable when you handle them regularly.
My daughter has guinnea pigs which live indoors (and outdoors when the weather is good) they are fantastic, non smelly and don't bite.  They are great lap pets and will sit for hours if you let them on your lap...
I have two parakeets (red rump) which are lovely and adorable and a mating pair bonded for life.  But you have to be prepared to let them out and fly free.  They are gorgeous pets - great personalities - easy to hand train, peaceful and they sing beautifully and talk a little.  A had a house bunny once (she was very sick and couldn't be placed outside as she had a deformed spine) - house bunnies are like cats, you can train them to use a litter tray and not to bite wires, but you have to be prepared to train constant for a while.
Fish are fantastic and I would recommend fancy goldfish for a first start - they will eat out of your hand and respond to different people in different ways, so do not listen to those that say that fish have short memories.
 
I admit to have my eye on a couple of small Degus - larger than gerbils and apparently really lovely creatures from the research I have done.
 
Peace



darkinshadows -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 1:17:32 PM)

I had a pair of cockatiels and unfortunately had to let them go (It was heart breaking) They are quite territorial and tend to have a pecking(no pun intended) order - and it ended up that I could not let them out to fly free because they attacked my children (they just saw them as beneath them) and because I couldnt let them fly, I just thought it was fairer that I let them go elsewhere rather than be cooped up 24 hrs a day.
 
I nearly purchased lovebirds - they are very gentle birds and have a good sound and they do bond to their trainer/owner well.  They are also beautiful creatures.
 
I just fell in love with my parakeets though when I saw them and they weren't hand reared and were 3 months + when I brought them home.
If you keep them in their cage quietly for about 10 days to two weeks, they learn that it is their home and safe place - then you can start slowly introducing them to being let out, but let them leave on their own.  Talking to them all the time, helps them bond with you and if you get a pair, although they still need your attention, it is much healthier mentally for them.  If you do get a pair, try and make sure you purchased a bonded pair not just the two best looking ones, because it can be heartbreaking for a pair of birds if they are seperated and they can pine.
 
Peace



kitriana -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 1:21:54 PM)

In answer to some questions:
The deposit is nonrefundable and is considered an addition to the "refurbishment" fee of the apartment. Though why they would think a person would only do $150 in damage and a cat could do $500 worth, I have no freaking clue.

I am not against fish, my dad used to have a 55 gallon tank of saltwater fish, however he is being entirely as unhelpful as possible when I ask him anything about it.

High energy pets aren't a problem, neither is training one.

Also, the problem isn't necessarily money over time for the vet and shots, its having rent that is already ridiculously high go up more. Around here, the typical adoption cost is $75-$150 which includes spay/neuter, some shots and deworming in some cases.



swtnsparkling -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 2:17:37 PM)

A  bunny and littler box train it



LadyIce -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 3:25:45 PM)

I think if you really want a small dog or cat, you should stick with them.
Just save up the money, until you can buy one.
You can always move to another apartment when your lease is up.
Why get a pet that is not the one you really want?



soultoshare -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 4:13:33 PM)

Growing up, our house was a menagerie of critters....we had 3 St. Bernards, cats, fish, hamsters, guinea pigs, one HUGE red dutch checkerboard rabbit, and they all pretty much ran the roost.  I also took care of the rats and mice at my high school.....i had one rat that was smarter than some dogs.......he was friendly, loved to ride around on my shoulder playing in my hiar.  Our guinea pig had the run of the house, other than her little pellets, she was never a problem.  But she'd come running as fast as her little legs could carry her when she heard the fridge open.....she knew where the goodies were!

I understand the whole pet deposit and rent crap.....i've had to pay $300 for my dog, and admittedly, snuck in my cat because I couldn't afford all the deposits.  What kills me is the kids in the complex i live in are far more destructive than ANY animal I've ever owned.  If it's too much to come up with the money, I'd wait until my lease was up as was suggested, and look around.  I'm a firm believer in that if you get one cat, you need two.....but there is the rabbit idea, tey can be litter trained also, you'll just have to be careful of wires, cuz they tend to nibble.  Cockatiels are fun, my nephew had one, she just thought she was a fuuny looking person.....if she wasn't walking around on the floor, she was riding on the back of the cat.....the cat loved the massage she'd get when Cookie walked up and down it...go figure!  She died when an egg got impacted, broke the family's heart.  There are little furry options that will give you someone to take care of til you get where you can get a cat or dog, and the cat and dog can accept the other animals wasily....my rabbit used to play with one of our St Bernards...they'd chase each other all over the yard!  The neighbors loved it!

m



adoracat -> RE: Pets..of the nonhuman variety (5/16/2007 5:15:37 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kitriana

In answer to some questions:
The deposit is nonrefundable and is considered an addition to the "refurbishment" fee of the apartment. Though why they would think a person would only do $150 in damage and a cat could do $500 worth, I have no freaking clue.


people have general wear and tear on their surroundings.

people dont tend to sharpen their nails on carpeting/walls/wallpaper/linoleum

people are generally good about limiting their toilet activities to well....the toilet.  kittys sometimes arent.  and pet urine smell is hell to get out of carpeting/flooring/walls when males spray.

so the additional deposits *do* make sense.

kitten, whose own dogs have ruined the carpeting in one room of her house.



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