Looking for pet advice.

Pasquale

Pasquale

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So I've been thinking about getting a pet. Generally I hate animals, but I dunno, I started thinking a pet would be cool, and once I get an idea in my head it's impossible to get it out until I spend money.

So I was wondering what would be my ideal pet, and I'm hoping one of you can help me out.

Requirements:

-Cheap
-Low-maintenance
-Not a bird
-Adorable?
-Decent lifespan
-Not smelly

I am pretty much poor all the time, so I'll need something not-expensive. I want something low-maintenance, because I hate the idea of constantly caring for something (I'm gonna be an awesome father some day.) I hate birds. I don't know why, I just really do. I secretly love when things are small and adorable, so cuteness is a plus. I also want something that is going to live for a while, because I don't think i could handle the little guy dying on me.

I thought about getting a fish, but fish are so boring.

Thoughts?
 
Think a cat is your best bet there mate. Cheapish compared to other animals in food and purchase of. Dont really have to do much for it as in walking it or anything just show it a bit of love every now and then obviously. It isnt a bird and will get rid of any birds around anyway. Tend to live for a good 10-15 years and there one of the cleanest animals.
 
aside from things like fish and hermit crabs....almost no pet is low maintenance/cheap

cat?
 
How about a hamster? That seems to fit your list, as long as you don't mind the sound of them running on their wheel at night for hours... and hours... and hours... and hours...

I've been thinking about getting a new hamster. My apartment has been too quiet since Gobo kicked the bucket.
 
crazy20frog.jpg


African clawed/dwarf frog.

They live mostly under water, and can live up to 10 years (average being 7). They're really funny and cute. They make absolutely no noise as they live 90% of their lives under water. Having a bigger aquarium for them is best because they can grow up to about the size of a regular North American frog (from nose to bootay being about 4-5" in length). I suggest getting a pair or a water snail of some sort. My brother and I had one (his name was Bob, best frog ever) but when his buddy the goldfish died he got depressed and keeled over ; ; But, he was 6 years of age and about 3.5" long.

I was a nosey kid and would put my hand in the water. He'd swim around it or propel himself off of my fingers :3 They're really cute. They have extremely poor eye-sight but have a fantastic sense of smell and touch.

Found this link in case you were further interested. Has some great advice abut tank size and whatnot:

http://frogworld.net/african-dwarf-frog/
 
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:shock: frogs :???:

i vote a cat too. nothing beats a comfort kitty on a bad day.
 
Flymop said:
Think a cat is your best bet there mate. Cheapish compared to other animals in food and purchase of. Dont really have to do much for it as in walking it or anything just show it a bit of love every now and then obviously. It isnt a bird and will get rid of any birds around anyway. Tend to live for a good 10-15 years and there one of the cleanest animals.
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I have two close friends with cats and they have both spent a ton on vet bills. One had to have the cat's teeth fixed, and one has a recurring stomach issue. I'm hesitant about cats because if something goes wrong it is expensive as balls to get it fixed.

Halifirien said:
How about a hamster? That seems to fit your list, as long as you don't mind the sound of them running on their wheel at night for hours... and hours... and hours... and hours...

I've been thinking about getting a new hamster. My apartment has been too quiet since Gobo kicked the bucket.
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I was thinking maybe hamster, but I've heard guinea pigs are friendlier. I don't think I know what a guinea pig is, but I assume its a kind of hamster? Do you know which would be better?

Morwen said:
African clawed/dwarf frog.
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That is pretty cool looking, and I already have a suitable tank. I'll have to check out that site you mentioned.
 
what? They're low-maintenance and are too cute frog-paddling around the water to let you stay in a bad mood! You feed them once every other day, whereas you have to change a smelly litter box once a week, if not more if kitty is sick. He's lazy, remember? :P
 
Morwen said:
what? They're low-maintenance and are too cute frog-paddling around the water to let you stay in a bad mood! You feed them once every other day, whereas you have to change a smelly litter box once a week, if not more if kitty is sick. He's lazy, remember? :P
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So lazy.
 
Pasquale said:
I want something low-maintenance, because I hate the idea of constantly caring for something (I'm gonna be an awesome father some day.)
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Don't know about you but This right here is the exact reason I don't have a pet myself. Any pet you get will require some attention and don't forget medical if something happens. If you hate the idea of constantly caring for something then get a virtual pet or something that you wont want to return to a pet shelter later because you find out it's too much work. My biggest pet peeve.. is people who get a pet then realize OMG they are alot of work!! then they go ahead and drop them off down at a park or a pet shelter.

Cats are ok if you dont mind all the hair everywhere, even cats with short hair shed like crazy. Dogs.. well how often do you want to walk him? because its recommended you walk them daily and they definitely need alot of attention. Hamster.. hmm if you dont want the smell that comes with them you will be cleaning up their tank every couple of days. Fish.. well you said it yourself, nothing much to do with them other than stare at them and clean their tank which can take a couple of hours ever other week or so. Lizards/snakes.. well I like both of those since they require the least amount of care but you want something "cute and cuddly" so thats out.

Guess the question would be how much time do you have to devote to the animal and how committed are you to keeping at it once you have picked something. Just doesnt look promising since you stated you hated the idea of constantly caring for something.

Goodluck on what you decide though, I used to have dogs till they got old and died then I just decided I rather not have another animal.
 
Pasquale said:
So lazy.
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See? You and the frog are a perfect match. There are periods throughout the day where they'll just kinda sit there spread-eagle with a look on their face like: >_>

People get worried like 'Holy shit is my frog dead!?' but they're so good at just being lazy that all you have to do is rub (not tap) the glass of the aquarium gently and they swim towards the vibration. :P
 
Hamsters are fun and easy pets to take care of. Can also get a Hedgehog. Those are just fun.
 
Hmm... Cheap? Quiet? Long life span? I think I know what you need. A pet rock. Now I know it sounds a bit "out of the box" in thinking but I really think a pet rock is for you.

I mean they sleep all day, and they eat practically nothing. And think of all the games you can play with it; "Catch", "Throw", "Hold down this stack of papers", "hide and seek in the rock quary" and my favorite "Hit someone in the back of the head". They're HOURS of fun!
 
Rorschach said:
Hmm... Cheap? Quiet? Long life span? I think I know what you need. A pet rock. Now I know it sounds a bit "out of the box" in thinking but I really think a pet rock is for you.

I mean they sleep all day, and they eat practically nothing. And think of all the games you can play with it; "Catch", "Throw", "Hold down this stack of papers", "hide and seek in the rock quary" and my favorite "Hit someone in the back of the head". They're HOURS of fun!
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A friend of mine suggested a brick with googliy eyes glued on.
 
Most pets are expensive if they have medical problems. The only way around that is to ... not own any.

The cheapest way is to get a cat or something from a shelter. I'm a big fan of rescuing pets.. Unfortunately. Shelters often adopt out formerly abused/abandoned pets. Most shelters will do a background check. If they're reputable anyway. The upside is that they've been check over for medical problems, and have had their shots and spaying/neutering.

Anyway. Smaller animals tend to have shorter lifespans. I've never really had a good experience with hamsters/gerbils/guinea pigs. Lots of them are expensive to start out, but cheap to feed. Ferrets are smart and pretty low maintenance, but they smell worse than hamsters and other rodents.

I would say that for you, if you're worried about mess and stuff you might want to check out reptiles. They require a little more care than your typical dog/cat... but they live a long time are and awesome. Iguanas especially (since they eat greens and stuff like that.)

Seriously though before you spend a whole bunch of money on an animal that you don't want, perhaps you should petsit for a friend or something, to see what it's like without having to commit yourself.
 
You could try a rabbit. They're soft, cuddly and cute. I think they can be trained to use a cat litter box and no one I know takes them to a vet. Their food is cheap and you could get rid of any of your left over vegetables. They don't make noise, you can take them for walks if you get them one of those silly harnesses, they can run around your room but ultimately be caged so you don't have to worry about what they're getting into while you're not around like a cat or a dog.

I'm not sure how long they live to, but I can't imagine them being too limited. Also, I don't think they're too expensive, and if you get two, you can have ten!
 
Zephayra said:
You could try a rabbit. They're soft, cuddly and cute. I think they can be trained to use a cat litter box and no one I know takes them to a vet. Their food is cheap and you could get rid of any of your left over vegetables. They don't make noise, you can take them for walks if you get them one of those silly harnesses, they can run around your room but ultimately be caged so you don't have to worry about what they're getting into while you're not around like a cat or a dog.

I'm not sure how long they live to, but I can't imagine them being too limited. Also, I don't think they're too expensive, and if you get two, you can have ten!
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I've kept rabbits. They're great. Like cats, they keep themselves pretty clean. You can litter train them too, so you can keep them indoors. Only problem is that practically anything can kill them >.<. You have to be careful of what you feed them, especially if they're outside. They'll eat anything that smells good, even if it's bad for them. They can die if they get bloated, or have a hair ball.. They can easily bleed to death (blood doesn't clot well...) I love bunny rabbits, but I don't recommend them for someone who doesn't like upkeep.

One really great thing about them though.. They loves the maryjane. o.O
 
Zephayra said:
You could try a rabbit. They're soft, cuddly and cute. I think they can be trained to use a cat litter box and no one I know takes them to a vet. Their food is cheap and you could get rid of any of your left over vegetables. They don't make noise, you can take them for walks if you get them one of those silly harnesses, they can run around your room but ultimately be caged so you don't have to worry about what they're getting into while you're not around like a cat or a dog.

I'm not sure how long they live to, but I can't imagine them being too limited. Also, I don't think they're too expensive, and if you get two, you can have ten!
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I have a rabbit, well my mom does. And although they can be litter box trained, they tend not to so much (atleast mine). Well I shouldn't say that, he used to be really good, but now hes older (like 6) and blind in one eye, so he shits EVERYWHERE. Seriously. Aside from feeding him though he isn't much maintenance. Just make sure it has water and feed it twice a day you should be good to go. Also get a cool one if you get a rabbit. My mom has a pure bred Hollan Lop that we got at the minnesota state fair looks something like this:

cappacino0879db1.jpg


He can be fucking hilarious sometimes. He was mean as shit when we first got him, before he was neutered. If you get one i'd say get a female if you dont want to spend the couple hundred bucks to get it neutered. It would bite anyone that went near it, although on the other hand it would hump everything which was probably one of the funniest things i've ever seen one of my animals do. One xmas it knocked over a stuffed snowman we had out and just went at the mofo, so funny. Aside from being a prick and having to get it neutered, I'd say I enjoy my rabbit.

My suggestion though would be a lab rat. My 4th grade class had 2 albino lab rats and I ended up getting to take one home at the end of the year. If you get one too, make sure its a girl, i guess the guy ones have huge dicks (in comparison to their bodys) which is just a no thanks. It was 100x nicer than the hamster i had before it and was just overall cool. Like it would crawl up and chill on my shoulder or in the hood of my sweatshirt if I had one on. Although, some people are scared shitless of rats, i thought mine looked pimp. Get one like this:

labanimalsspraguedawleymr8.jpg


Only downside to a lab rat would be the lifespan. I think mine lived for 4 years which was actually pretty damn good. They seem to be really prone to cancer, a friend of mine got the other one from the class and it died from cancer after 2 years i think. Either way though, cool pet.
 
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The red eyes just scare the fuck out of me...but i think a rabbit would suit you pretty well as like zaph said they aren't too expensive and what not
 
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