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Alternative pet??

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Heya ala! Well,have some sad news. My parents won't let me buy a pet dog. (I was going to use my money to buy it and care for it.) I only have two cats,a dog (She's really my moms dog,but I am sometimes found caring for her),and a few fish to keep me company. I am financally able to buy another pet,but I'm trying to find a pet my parents will like too. I need a sort of alternative pet. I've tryed to convice them of a rat,or mouse. They don't really like them,and I wouldn't want to be annoying. We have a baby in the house,so it really needs to be good with kids and freindly. Here are some of the pets I've wanted:
Sugar Glider (Like Lovebirds not a "Yes,by all means")
Dog
Cat
Rat
Mouse
Lovebirds (Never really got a no,but not a "Yes by all means")
All the pets above I've reaserched and though about,and asked my parents for,but they didn't really like the idea.
The reason why may parents won't allow me to purchase another dog is,one it would have to be an outside dog (Not all that good for dogs),two we'd have to keep it chained up,and three we have a neighboor who puts dogs in a cadge in her stuffy garage and sends them to the pound. (She once tied up a Beagle to a tree with no shade,food,or water in the middle of a rain storm I was tempted to un-tie it and take it to my house.) I want an animal that'd be a great companion,loving,and intellegent (Sort of like self awareness.) So,if you have any ideas post! (Note in my state we can not have the following: Skunks,Foxes,Badgers,Lions,Tigers,or Bears. Nor can we have any song birds) I really don't want any more fish,my tank won't allow it! X3

12-22-2011 at 8:53 PM

if you are looking for a pet that you can lavish love and attention on, I would recommend a guinea pig or 2, they are awesome pets with great personalities and great social skills. They may run when you go to pick them up(they are after all prey animals)but once you pick them up they will snuggle right in.

12-7-2011 at 3:38 PM

Ex gecko owner. I wouldn't suggest them if you're wanting a pet to shower with love. You already do have animals, but you seem determined, so I'll make a suggestion. By the way, I have one cat that's legit mine and three others I unwittingly inherited from other family members. Owning the others weren't my choice, but I care for them regardless. I suggest a hedgehog. They sound just about right for what you're wanting. They do need exercise, though, as they're prone to obesity. http://hedgehogcentral.com/info.shtml

12-6-2011 at 5:47 PM

"Just because they say it has to be chained up all day doesn't mean I don't still want it for an --indoor pet--." How would a dog that's chained outside all the time be an indoor pet? Would you be sitting outside with it all day in the rain and snow? I don't understand it. " Also,just asking,how many pets do you or any other users have reading that are reading this?" Three cats, two birds. I got my two cats because my mom wanted two of em. Just a couple months ago we got my third one because my dad believed it would get my two cats more active [she's a kitten, they're about 13 years old]. I got two birds so that they would have bird socialization. "Now,nothing could EVER replace my dear Misses Kitty,but I now have time and the abillity to open my heart to a new pet." Why not shower the pets you have with love? Trust me when I say that pets can get jealous of other pets and they DO notice when you are giving affection or attention to other cats, even if you don't intend to. Feeding the new pet before the old pet? Jealousy Petting the new pet in front of the old pet? Jealousy Talking to the new pet in front of the old pet? Jealousy

12-6-2011 at 4:34 PM

"We aren't, but no offense.. when you say you own a cat and a dog but want another dog, it gives the impression that the first dog has lost it's value and you want something "new". Not to mention, you stated that you want another one even though it would have to be chained up outside all day." Just because they say it has to be chained up all day doesn't mean I don't still want it for an --indoor pet--. Also,just asking,how many pets do you or any other users have reading that are reading this? It's a tad bit insulting that you think I've lost intrest in my dog,and am simply bord with it. If you have multiple pets,did you get them because you've "lost intrest" in others? I want another companion because I've lost a pet that was extreamly dear to my heart,I used to love caring for her,and showering her and my other pets with affection. Now,nothing could EVER replace my dear Misses Kitty,but I now have time and the abillity to open my heart to a new pet. Is it really bad to do so? I am fully aware that pet keeping is not a walk in the park,I've owned and cared for as many as 6 at one point in my life. It does take work,and is an extreamly huge responsibility,but all in all to me it's worth the work. If your wondering what pets I had in those moments in whitch I had six pets I had five cats (Scampers,Destiny,Oreo, Mister Kitty,and Misses Kitty),and my one dog (Mucker Jane AKA Blue Bell. She'll come to all of those names,because I've taken the time to train her too. I've even taken the time to train a few of my cats to "give kisses" they'll press there nose to my cheeks and chin.

12-6-2011 at 8:40 AM

As far as "exotic" pets go, I've had two White's Tree Frogs and a bearded dragon. To me, their care seemed really easy. I provided them with everything they needed to thrive (light, heat, healthy food, cages with all sorts of stuff to climb all over), and in return they gave me lots of fun times watching them hunt crickets and bask under their lights. They had various levels of "cuddliness". My first White's was extremely friendly and loved to hang out in my hands or under my shirt. My second White's is a lot less friendly - prefers to be watched rather than touched. And my beardie was a two-year-old rescue that was never properly socialized, so he never tolerated being held. Towards the end, though, he realized that I wasn't quite so horrible and would allow me to hold him for a few minutes before he got huffy. Now I have a pair of rats. They're much more lovable, but a whole lot of work. I'd recommend them if you have lots of time for out-time and cleaning and just staring at them (they're too cute!), but if you don't have the aforementioned free time, I'd steer clear. Either the rats will suffer, or your school work will (in my case it's the latter..haha). I hope you're able to find a pet that will fit your lifestyle!

12-5-2011 at 7:34 PM

"I started this topic to get ideas for some pets (no matter how hard there care requirements are) not to be discouraged from any particular animal" We aren't discouraging you, we're being honest. "I don't know why,but I feel as if your treating me as I'm irrisponsible" We aren't, but no offense.. when you say you own a cat and a dog but want another dog, it gives the impression that the first dog has lost it's value and you want something "new". Not to mention, you stated that you want another one even though it would have to be chained up outside all day. We're just being honest. Pet-owning is not a walk in the park.

12-5-2011 at 7:27 PM

You forgot to add the part where he says UV lighting certainly wouldn't hurt. Many professional Leo breeders use them because as you quoted in your own post, it speeds up D3 use and calcium intake. I had leos, and they became much less sluggish and looked healthier when I started using UV lighting. Again, why wouldn't you do something for your pets that's going to help them rather than just have them survive?

12-5-2011 at 7:15 PM

Do you mean they must have a red light? (A heat source) Because if that's what you mean then,yes it is used to help with tempreature as well. As for UV Read question 8 closley it says specifically "OK, there are two types of lighting in the world of herpetology. There is uv lighting which comes in the form of a flourescent tube. This kind gives off UV-A and some UV-B (which synthesizes D3 and speeds the uptake of calcium in all animals) but not much heat to speak of. Many lizards and tortoises need this kind of light because it somewhat duplicates the sun's effects. Leopard Geckos DO NOT need this type of lighting. Leopard Geckos are nocturnal (awake at night) and never bask"

12-5-2011 at 7:04 PM

"They absorb vitamine D by "gut-loading" there food source." Who gut-loads their food source in the wild? Lighting is also required for simulating their light cycle. It can't just be dark all the time, you'll mess up their circadian rhythm. Whether or not you have a heating pad, you'll still need the light. If it's dark in your room while you're gone for the day, then come home, have the lights on for a few hours, then back off again, it's not going to be healthy for them. They can survive without the artificial light (you need to have UV, but not for an extended period of time) but why wouldn't you want your pets to thrive?

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2011-12-05 19:08:09 by #9181

2011-12-05 19:06:04 by #9181

12-5-2011 at 6:51 PM

Nitrous- I am extreamly aware you need vitamine D,Leopard Geckos are nocturnal animals,and are not out in the day. They absorbe vitamine D by "gut-loading" there food source. http://www.reptilecare.com/LeopardFAQ.htm This is a site on FAQ of Leopard Gecko ownership,my point is stated in questions 7-8 I belive. Also,I was refering to the heat pads that you place at the bottom of the vivariums,not the heating rocks. :D

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2011-12-05 18:59:17 by #12448

12-5-2011 at 6:42 PM

You need vitamin D in order to use calcium, so yes they do. They don't get it from artificial light, which is the purpose of the UV bulb. Please post your sources, because I've always been told and seen otherwise. I don't like using heat rocks because they can cause burns.

12-5-2011 at 6:35 PM

Nitrous- You can use a heating pad on one end of there vivarium. ;) Since I'd most likely be purchasing a juvinaile,I've found it'd be best not to use sand at all,I'p moste likley find an alternative bedding. All the sites I've read have said they arn't in need of absorbing there vitamine D from an artifical lighting source,I've also mentioned the calcium dusting in my last post. ;3

12-5-2011 at 6:28 PM

Uh, leopard geckos have lighting requirements. They're from the desert and they will die if you have them in your room without a heat lamp on one end of the cage. They also need UV lighting for Vitamin D, used to absorb calcium, which you have to dust on their food. Did you plan on using artificial sand for the tank? You shouldn't. When picking up mealworms or crickets, they will bite the substrate. The sand is terrible for their digestive system, it can cause blockages which will kill them. Dead crickets and their poop also reek.

12-5-2011 at 6:27 PM

Note: This is NOT my first experince with reptiles. I know how to care for reptile needs (calcium supplements,live foods, shedding needs,ect.) ;3 I'm not really new to this,I started this topic to get ideas for some pets (no matter how hard there care requirements are) not to be discouraged from any particular animal,because of one's experince. :3 Just saying,to make this clear. I don't know why,but I feel as if your treating me as I'm irrisponsible,and that I am to scared to care for my own pet. (Not naming any names.) Look,I won't sit here and preach on how responsible I am or anything,but I can assure you I'm not an impulse buyer. I was just reaserching a few breeds of animal that are interesting to me to possably own,that's it. C;

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2011-12-05 18:30:11 by #12448

12-5-2011 at 4:59 PM

Reptiles in general are not easy to keep. Their living requirements are strict and they can be easily stressed out. A stressed out reptile can easily result in death. My dad currently owns a leopard gecko and I have a bearded dragon. I do not suggest reptiles as your choice in pet. Oh, and leopard geckos need insects as their food. So if you're afraid of live crickets this is not the pet for you.

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2011-12-05 17:00:59 by #7689

12-5-2011 at 3:02 PM

Actually,leopard geckos,according to my reaserch don't have specal lighting requirements, they don't eat mice,and riped of gecko tails would be a rather unplesent sight. X3 (i'm sorry for any/all spelling mistakes,my keyboard is really trying my pateince. X( )

12-5-2011 at 2:56 PM

Geckos and other reptiles need specific light, nutrients/vitamin requirements. Contrary to popular belief, snakes, lizards, reptiles, etc are NOT a throw-in-a-tank-with-a-mouse-and-a-lamp pet. If you leave certain reptiles/lizards together in a tank and they are stressed, they will literally rip each others tails off and eat them. Degus are like a mix between a chinchilla and a gerbil and like rats, need large amounts of space and socialization.

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2011-12-05 15:01:37 by #5484

2011-12-05 15:00:39 by #5484

12-5-2011 at 2:16 PM

Degu? Sounds exotic. ;3 I mean,if it is required for an animal to have some OOC (Out of cadge) time,of course I would,my cats and dog arn't allowed in there because they have an extreamly nasty habbit of leaving "presents" and ripping things off the walls if left un-attended. X3 I think they may have a wee bit of seperation anxieity. I'm considering Leopard Geckos,since they arn't really that expensive,nor do they have (from my starting reaserch) socalization requirements. With my ever changing schedual they may be best. Plus they're darned cute! Anyone have experince with these,or other small reptiles? (Mom hates snakes,so no snakes.) :3 Thank you for your suggestions,I'll do some basic reaserch on each type of pet,and then go in greater depth once compatability is factored in. :D

12-4-2011 at 9:47 PM

Have you considered chinchillas? I did a lot of research on them a while back, they sound like great pets. The biggest things I remember to note are the long lifespan - about the same as a cat - and the exercise needs. I opted for rats instead because their lifespans fit within the time I had left in high school. I could gush about rats for hours. They definitely love and connect with their owners, but they do need a lot of running time. You said pets in your room aren't allowed freely - but what if you're there supervising? That's what I did for my rats. I taught them to come to the sound of the treat box shaking (quite easily), then I let them roam under supervision. If I had to leave the room, back in the cage. You have to rat-proof for sure, though, rats can get into everything. o_o My rats could scale the side of my bookshelf. Gerbils aren't on the list? Degu? Bunnies? I fostered a little Dutch bunny, he was the best. :D But I've read that rabbits can be little terrors. Are you looking for furry pets only? Edit: Wait, what about hamsters? Gosh I love hamsters. I've had 3 generations, 2 of them being dwarf sets. But they don't really connect with you the same way rats do. They're super cute, though.

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2011-12-04 21:49:45 by #88

12-4-2011 at 7:34 PM

Guinea Pigs!!!

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