I need a pet, but I don't know what's right for me.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 01:51 AM

Hi fellow wisemen/women! :)

I can't live without a pet, I just moved and I need a pet, I am alone most of the time and I think it would be nice to have one...

I need one that's low-maintenance, since I go to work on constantly shifting schedules, and I stay at work at around 10 hours a day (including transportation, traffic, agh), nut I have 2 days of weekly, and I also feel like I can't have something boring... I'd like my pet to be pretty interactive but not too needy (e.g, I'd love a dog but he might not like the lack of attention).
I don't mind if the food and housing is a bit expensive, as long as I don't have to clean it too often. (Am I even being reasonable?? )

My place is pretty small, no lawn, just garage with a gate, not like those shutters... Sort of open?. If I can keep my pet indoors that would be great.

Thanks for the help anyone!
I'm wiling to adjust these things a bit just to get a good companion :)

shazamataz · Sep 27, 2009, 02:50 AM

No offense intended but if you spend 10 hours a day at work and have constantly chaging shifts then perhaps no pet is right for you at the moment.

Most pets/animals like to have structure in their day, not just dogs and cats but animals like rabbits and hamsters as well.
They need human company and do not like being left alone for hours upon hours every day.

You want an animal that is interactive but not too needy... well there is NO pet like that. You cannot expect an active pet to be left alone for 10 hours a day.

Sariss · Sep 27, 2009, 09:08 AM

The only animal I can think of that wouldn't mind being alone that long is a cat. And even then, some wouldn't mind seeing you more often.

I work anywhere from 8-12 hours a day, and judging by their activity levels when I AM home, they spend that time sleeping or watching the birds out the window. Half the time I wonder if they notice I've left, unless they have no food.

redhed35 · Sep 27, 2009, 09:13 AM

Instead of getting a pet,in your free time would you consider volunteering at a stables or animal shelter?

You get to 'care' for an animal and meet new people,plus make a difference in the community.

shazamataz · Sep 27, 2009, 11:52 AM

Great idea redhed.
By volunteering you can choose what hours you would like to walk/play/feed an animal.
If you are busy one day or weekend then you can give it a miss, with a pet of your own you can't. But most important even one day or even an hour at a shelter can give an animal a bit of happiness.

I do agree with Sariss that cats would probably be OK, but then again, I have seen some darn savage kitties just because they were not socialised enough.

Wondergirl · Sep 27, 2009, 12:16 PM

Adopting an adult cat from a shelter would be my suggestion, but because of your work hours, volunteering at the shelter might give you that "pet experience" plus would allow you to check out the residents for adoptability in your situation.

XOXOlove · Sep 27, 2009, 12:44 PM

Do you like birds? A paraket might be a good pet for you to have. I have parakets but I don't really like them that much as a pet because they have been caged their whole lives. My sister gave them to me so I just kept them. A lot of people love parakets because they are really cute and play a lot. You could keep them in the cage with bird toys during the day and let them fly around for a little while when you come home.

redhed35 · Sep 27, 2009, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by XOXOlove

do you like birds? a paraket might be a good pet for you to have. i have parakets but i don't really like them that much as a pet because they have been caged their whole lives. my sister gave them to me so i just kept them. a lot of people love parakets because they are really cute and play a lot. you could keep them in the cage with bird toys during the day and let them fly around for a little while when you come home.

I know this is a little off the op,but parakets can be very entertaining,with a little time and patience you may get to like them,they will happily 'talk' away for hours,and can be very smart..

XOXOlove · Sep 27, 2009, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by redhed35

i know this is a little off the op,but parakets can be very entertaining,with a little time and patience you may get to like them,they will happily 'talk' away for hours,and can be very smart..

Oh I do like them I just feel bad keeping them in cages, but they are so used to it that when I let them out they want to go back in after 2 seconds. They are very entertaining and play a lot though.

Sariss · Sep 27, 2009, 06:46 PM

If you do go the route of cats, you could always get a bonded pair from a shelter - that way they can keep themselves company while you are at work.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by redhed35

i know this is a little off the op,but parakets can be very entertaining,with a little time and patience you may get to like them,they will happily 'talk' away for hours,and can be very smart..

Really? Do they like being held?

Silverfoxkit · Sep 27, 2009, 07:26 PM

The others have made some good suggestions. A dog is certainly a no go at this point in your life and if you choose to adopt a cat then I would defintely go with an adult and not a kitten. A kitten would require much more vital socialization and attention then you would be able to provide.

You could always go with a parakeet pair but remember to give the birds pleanty of space with an apporpriate sized cage. I've seen far too many poor parkeets cooped up in a tiny little cage picked up from a pet store that isn't big enough for the poor thing to hardly even spread its wings. While that little 1' by 1' cage may save space it would be cruel to the bird.

There are also some more low maintence reptiles that you may consider such as a leopard gecko. They don't take up too much room, require too much special care or need as much attention.

With an appropriate sized aquarium you may also consider an aquatic turtle.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by redhed35

instead of getting a pet,in your free time would you consider volunteering at a stables or animal shelter?

you get to 'care' for an animal and meet new people,plus make a differance in the community.

Aww that's a great idea! I'm in Manila, Philippines, I think I'm going to have a hard time looking for one...

But I'll try! :) Thank you!

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Sariss

If you do go the route of cats, you could always get a bonded pair from a shelter - that way they can keep themselves company while you are at work.

That's a good idea too, I am kind of a cat person.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 07:31 PM

Um does anybody think a reptile/amphibian pet is OK? Or still no-no?.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 27, 2009, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by Silverfoxkit

The others have made some good suggestions. A dog is certainly a no go at this point in your life and if you choose to adopt a cat then I would defintely go with an adult and not a kitten. A kitten would require much more vital socialization and attention then you would be able to provide.

You could always go with a parakeet pair but remember to give the birds pleanty of space with an apporpriate sized cage. I've seen far too many poor parkeets cooped up in a tiny little cage picked up from a pet store that isn't big enough for the poor thing to hardly even spread its wings. While that little 1' by 1' cage may save space it would be cruel to the bird.

There are also some more low maintence reptiles that you may consider such as a leopard gecko. They don't take up too much room, require too much special care or need as much attention.

With an appropriate sized aquarium you may also consider an aquatic turtle.

I used to have a turtle! :) I'll go see if I can take care of one now that I'm working.

Alty · Sep 27, 2009, 08:02 PM

If you get a parakeet that's hand raised then yes, they can learn to enjoy being held. They still like companionship though, so getting two would be better, all it means is getting a slightly bigger cage.

Budgies can learn to talk, they whistle wonderfully, they're very affectionate if trained and handled early and often. They can be a bit loud though, mostly when you don't want them to be, late evenings and early mornings. ;)

My grandfather raised budgies and cockatiels and I've always had birds in my life. I love these little animals, they really can be the perfect pet.

A hamster isn't a bad idea either. Hamsters are solitary animals, they really don't need a lot of attention and actually prefer to be left alone, but, with early handling they can learn to tolerate and enjoy their human beings. Only thing about hamster is that they're nocturnal, not bad if you work during the day.

Sylvanta Sybil · Sep 28, 2009, 12:59 AM

Originally Posted by Altenweg

If you get a parakeet that's hand raised then yes, they can learn to enjoy being held. They still like companionship though, so getting two would be better, all it means is getting a slightly bigger cage.

Budgies can learn to talk, they whistle wonderfully, they're very affectionate if trained and handled early and often. They can be a bit loud though, mostly when you don't want them to be, late evenings and early mornings. ;)

My grandfather raised budgies and cockatiels and I've always had birds in my life. I love these little animals, they really can be the perfect pet.

A hamster isn't a bad idea either. Hamsters are solitary animals, they really don't need a lot of attention and actually prefer to be left alone, but, with early handling they can learn to tolerate and enjoy their human beings. Only thing about hamster is that they're nocturnal, not bad if you work during the day.

Oh?. Hmmm... That's a good idea... I know very little about parakeets (or birds, in general), is a 15x15x15 cage okay for a pair (used to be my rabbit's cage)?.

As for hamsters, I used to have a pair but they are very unfriendly! :(
They always run away, too, I end up panicking... We have those here, but only 2 varieties, the Siberian Dwarf and the, uh, Bear? Not sure, the common one.

jodiep214 · Sep 28, 2009, 02:09 AM

A hamster, would be great for u

Alty · Sep 28, 2009, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Sylvanta Sybil

Oh?... Hmmm... That's a good idea... I know very little about parakeets (or birds, in general), is a 15x15x15 cage okay for a pair (used to be my rabbit's cage)?...

As for hamsters, I used to have a pair but they are very unfriendly!! :(
They always run away, too, I end up panicking... We have those here, but only 2 varieties, the Siberian Dwarf and the, uh, Bear? Not sure, the common one.

When it comes to birds it's a very bad idea to use a cage not designed for them. The bars on most pet cages are too far apart and many birds have died because they get stuck.

It's best to get a cage specifically designed for your breed of bird, yes, there are different cages for different bird breeds.

The bigger the better. There are great cages available, if you don't mind getting a used one I would recommend checking eBay or your local sellers.

Make sure that your birds have a cuddle bone, this will keep their beaks from growing too long. Because budgies have hooked beaks it's very important as a long beak can actually kill them.

If you decide to go with budgies then let me know, I can help you with the buying of the cage and the accessories and give you some info on the care of your birds. :)