Small animals as pets

chideltjen · #1 06-14-2005, 10:05 PM

Well I was in the process of adopting a cat for apartment, until my apartment told me it's an extra $400 deposit to have a cat in the apartment.

I still would like some sort of pet, so depending if the deposit is for ALL animals or just for ones over 25 lbs, I was thinking about a small animal. Things like a guinea pig, or even a hamster. Guineas you can rescue from the shelter, so I was researching those.

But does anyone have a guinea pig? Things I should watch out for? Cost per month? I don't know much about them except they are kinda cute and are vegetarians.

How about hamsters?

bekibug · #2 06-14-2005, 10:11 PM

Check out your lease's pet addendum (or whatever it's called). At my complex, we can only have animals under 25 pounds, and no "exotic" animals like iguanas, etc. are allowed. We're also not allowed guinea pigs, rabbit, hamsters, etc. The pet deposit is $200 plus $20 a month extra. However, fish are free so long as they're in a 10 gallon or smaller tank.

BaylorBean · #3 06-14-2005, 11:40 PM

We have a guinea pig and they are the sweetest things! He is really easy to take care of. Food is about $8 a month and shavings are about $5. You could just use newspaper too. The most important thing is that they need Vitamin C supplements since they do not make their own and could get scurvie. I have taken him to the vet a couple of times because he was sick and hurt his leg. You have to be careful with them when they get sick/injured as my mom says "They are nature's quiters". Basically they give up on life really easily. They are a good low maintence pet that isn't too loud, unless you are getting a carrot out!

CUGreekgirl · #4 06-15-2005, 12:33 AM

I know that Guinea pigs do best in pairs. Other than that I have no idea. Personally I would go with a hamster since they are alot easier to take care of than guinea pigs.

If you want more info from experts (which would not be me!), go to

http://www.petfinder.com/messageboard

Its made up of all type of pet owners and animal lovers. There are many people on there that are quite knowledgeable and would love to help you out!

ambición6 · #5 06-15-2005, 10:14 AM

My vote is for pet rats. although some places might consider them exotic....
i have one now, since his buddy died 2 mos ago of old age. but rats are the sweetest little pets you could ever have!!!!

unlike hamsters, they do best in pairs and like to be cuddled and held and petted. they are not creepy animals as their reputation suggests. the rat i had (Chunky) that died liked it when i held him and rubbed his chin. he would lick my hand as i did this.

just do a google search on pet rat and you'll get tons of positive information.

Lady Pi Phi · #6 06-15-2005, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ambición6
My vote is for pet rats. although some places might consider them exotic....
i have one now, since his buddy died 2 mos ago of old age. but rats are the sweetest little pets you could ever have!!!!

unlike hamsters, they do best in pairs and like to be cuddled and held and petted. they are not creepy animals as their reputation suggests. the rat i had (Chunky) that died liked it when i held him and rubbed his chin. he would lick my hand as i did this.

just do a google search on pet rat and you'll get tons of positive information.

I had a pet rat!

She was the sweetest thing. I used to put her on my shoulder while I was working on the computer and she would just sit there.

They are great, low maintenance pets.

Just 2 things. 1) Rats are nocturnal. Do not keep your rat in the same room that you are sleeping in. They will keep you awake all night with their playing and exercise. 2) don't have them around anything you like or is valuable. They like to chew and they will chew it to death.

aephi alum · #7 06-15-2005, 10:39 AM

A couple that I'm friends with has a chinchilla. She is the sweetest little thing, and has such soft fur.

Chinchillas are pretty low-maintenance from what my friends tell me. They are also great around people with allergies - my husband, who is highly allergic to most animals, held her and did not have an allergic reaction at all. So, you might want to look into getting a chinchilla.

winneythepooh7 · #8 06-15-2005, 10:57 AM

My parents currently have 2 guinea pigs and they've had them for years. (Not my cup of tea though). Anyways, all of them they've had have gotten tumors and died so I think this is a condition they are prone to.

AchtungBaby80 · #9 06-15-2005, 11:11 AM

You all have been really helpful, because I have been considering getting some sort of small pet. (I live alone, so I get lonely!) My building doesn't allow dogs--even though the landlord's daughter, who lives below me, has one and it drives me nuts with its constant barking--and you have to pay a "cat fee" to keep a cat, but there was nothing in the lease about other kinds of animals so I guess they're OK.

roqueemae · #10 06-15-2005, 01:52 PM

I had a mini lop rabbit. He never weighed over 5 lbs. I had him for about 3 years then he died (incident with the dog--I think he had a heart attack). He was great. You can litterbox train them. I had to keep wires off the floor because he liked to chew them. Very fluffy and cuddly. He would follow me around the house. I never had issues with him at my apartment. They never asked about a pet deposit or anything.

kstar · #11 06-15-2005, 02:33 PM

My pet squirrel was the cutest.

Except for the time he ate a pecan pie and almost died from over eating.

I've found that the handling thing is individual to the rodent, but yeah, most rodents are very clean and friendly.

carnation · #12 06-15-2005, 03:05 PM

My daughters just rescued some Siberian hamsters. They and a friend found 6 that a pet store had dumped in the trash can--I hear this isn't uncommon.

So far, so good. They're friendly and they don't bite unless one of the little kids is too rough.

Our cats ignore them. Our Shih Tzu desperately wants to get at them.

KatieKate1244 · #13 06-15-2005, 03:23 PM

I love guinea pigs! I haven't had one in a long time, but they're wonderful little pets. My older sister had one that would greet you everytime you walked by its cage. My mom once told me about 25 years ago, she had one that she would let roam the house and would chase both cats and dogs. I've seen pictures of it, it was HUGE.

Tom Earp · #14 06-15-2005, 06:12 PM

Your Animals Suck!

I have a Step, Step, Daughter living next door renting the other half of the duplex, She is the daughter of My Best Friend.

1. She is the first Pet.

2. Eathan Joesph, step Nephew.

3. Joe the , well, Boy Friend, He really is a nice guy.

4. Wickitt, a Yorkie.

I just gave Her an Apple Pie and Played with Wickett. They then went home!

That is having a Pet!

CougADPi · #15 06-15-2005, 06:20 PM

If you do get a pair of guinea pigs, be sure to have them professionally "sexed" (determine if they are male or female. Pet shops and pet owners often have a hard time determining the sex of their piggies. Its better for the pigs that way, since both pregnancy and spaying/neutring often end up killing them! We currently have two girl pigs.

They are great pets, require little money or effort. I think we spend about $5 every two months or so on sawdust for their cage, $10 every couple months on chow, $14 every couple months on hay (piggies LOVE hay) and probably $5 a week on fresh veggies.

When we only had one for a long time and she would bite everytime we picked her up. Having the second one really helped her disposition.

Also, make sure they are in a big enough cage. We made a cage that is about 4 ft by 2.5 feet and it is the "preferred" size for two piggies. With one pig you can have a cage that is 3 feet by 2.5 feet.