iloveallpets
Newbie
Posts: 14 
Animals I love: all animals apart from bugs
Pets I own: a 2yrs 2 months 11 days old syrian hamster and 2 abbysian guinea pigs who are a month and 5 days old
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Post by iloveallpets on Mar 1, 2014 18:47:06 GMT
As my birthday is coming up in around 10 days. I'm allowed another pet my choices are:
Budgies
Cockateils
Chinchillas
Leopard geckos
Bearded dragons
Mice
What should I go with? I'm looking for a pet that's not nocturnal.Some thing that is completely different to hamsters and guinea pigs. Also with the choices what are there life spans? Also do any of you have/or had the experience of any of the choices?
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Post by smilesbetter on Mar 1, 2014 20:40:22 GMT
I wouldn't recommend getting a bird as a pet, as I really don't think it's fair on them unless you can provide them with a companion and a very large cage. Also wouldn't recommend reptiles unless you have done some serious research first, and again I don't think it's fair on them.
Mice are tiny and can be aright pets but not necessarily much different from hamsters.
Rats are really good pets, they are quite intelligent and can be trained to do basic tricks, and are good at thinking games so they can be very amusing friendly pets. Provided you handle them regularly (as with any pet), they can be super friendly wee things. You need to have a big cage for them where they can run, climb etc, and the cage should have solid floors for each level (not wire as their toes can get stuck).You're best to maybe get two or more as they need the companionship.
They're quite easy to look after and are fantastic wee pets. If you go on the RSPCA website they have little care guides for small animals and they have a good one for rats which explains their basic needs and how to meet them.
You should do some research though, it's best not to rush into getting a pet, whatever it may be.
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Post by SarahHound on Mar 1, 2014 21:57:03 GMT
If you really want a pet of those, I'd go with mice. They are entertaining and can be kept in groups (although that can be really smelly, even with good hygeine practises).
I don't think its fair to keep birds in cages indoors, unless the door is open all the time and that gets messy. If you have space for a large aviary, then birds are a great pet.
Reptiles are very specialist and you need to do a lot of research before you even think about getting one. They are not easy pets, and personally, I don't find them all that interesting when looking after them. I'd rather have another hamster or guinea pig!
Rats are a great choice if you're interested, but they MUST have company and a large cage.
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Post by gladys on Mar 2, 2014 11:22:44 GMT
If your willing to have a very large cage & have 2 of them I would go with Rats (over mice as in my opinion mice smell a lot) or Chinchillas.  |
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iloveallpets
Newbie
Posts: 14
Animals I love: all animals apart from bugs
Pets I own: a 2yrs 2 months 11 days old syrian hamster and 2 abbysian guinea pigs who are a month and 5 days old
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Post by iloveallpets on Mar 2, 2014 11:41:31 GMT
Ok thanks everyone I cant get rats as my mum freaks out by there tails but doesn't mind mice which is odd.
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Post by vonnie on Mar 6, 2014 20:01:56 GMT
Birds like cockatiels and budgies are very social so you need two or more to keep them happy. Cockatiels live up to 15-25 years! My Spike was over 20 when he died. My parent got him when I was 8. Had I been oldder and knew more I would have asked for a mate for him. Budgies live 10-15 years.
Rats and chinchillas need to be kept with a friend or two. Mice are wonderful but can be a bit smelly. Have a look at golden hamsters or gerbils or degu. Obviously do your research but these are lovely small pets. I find russian. chinese and roborovski hamsters a bit (ok, very) bitey!
The reptiles are great too. they can live a while but do require special care with heating, feeding, substrate etc so if you go for one of these you must do some serious research to keep them happy. Beardies make lovely pets and my friends' even knows its own name!
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Post by BorderTerrier on Mar 23, 2014 17:43:10 GMT
I have always liked bearded dragons, and personally I would go for one of them. Usually gentle creatures. I enjoy studying them at places like Pets At Home! petitsfilous has one, so she may be able to help give you some advice on them as pets |
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Post by petitsfilous on Mar 23, 2014 20:54:56 GMT
Thanks for tagging me in BorderTerrier I can't advise on birds as I have no experience in caring for them. Chinchillas need to be in pairs and can live for up to 20 years so they are a very big commitment! They have special dietary requirements and are very expensive to set up. You're talking a good couple hundred quid for the Chins, cage and accessories. They are also largely nocturnal so that sort of rules them out for you. Leopard geckos also live for 20 odd years and are nocturnal too. I can't really advise on mice as I have never kept them but I know they can be a bit pongy. I'd recommend Chinese dwarf hamsters over mice. They live better on their own, won't cost an arm and a leg and are pretty easy to maintain. They also don't smell as bad as other rodents. I find the males tend to be more docile and they're the only hamster I've never been bitten by. This is where I can advise...
Bearded Dragons are very high maintenance and you do really need to do your research before purchasing one They are Diurnal meaning they are up all through the day and sleep all through the night. They live between 7-10 years and require a diet of both live bugs and fresh veg. Baby dragons will have upto 5 feeds a day and can eat anything between 10 and 50 crickets in one sitting. A box of bugs costs £2.49 so can be expensive when they're young. This becomes a few larger bugs every other day when they become adults. They need fresh veg daily. You must read as to what they can and can't have. You must also dust all food with Calci-dust. If they don't get enough calcium they can very easily end up with metabolic bone disease. Males can grow to 2ft from nose to tail and females 1.5ft. Females will lay infertile eggs throughout their lives once they reach maturity at 18 months. Our girl has just started doing this and has already laid 2 clutches of infertile eggs within 6 months. Each clutch contained 15 eggs and we had to provide her with a box of damp soil each time so she was able to lay. They require a day time heat of between 40 and 50 degrees when they are babies and prefer to sit at around 35 degrees celcius as adults. The heat goes off at night time but must not go below 15 degrees. Rough prices:They require a minimum vivarium size of 4ft (around £100) Bearded Dragon (£45) Basking lamp (£3-4, these tend to blow and need replacing every couple months) UV strip lamps (preferably one 10.0 and one 2.0. Together these cost £55 and need replacing every 6 months) A heat mat on a thermostat if your house temp falls below 18 deg Celsius (around £40 for both) Two thermometers (couple of quid) Carpet flooring (£6) You'll also need general decor, leaves, hiding places, branches, rocks Those are the basics... Or not so basics! If you don't get these right you'll have a very poorly, unhappy dragon. It doesn't take much to upset their environment. If you get it right you will be rewarded with a wonderful pet. Once they get used to you they love coming out to see you. My girl knows her name and loves her daily baths. She's very affectionate and will actually snuggle up under my other halfs chin and fall asleep just before her bedtime. I have a male in with her but I'd advise just getting one if you're a newbie. They do not require a friend although my girl has benefited hugely from it. If you have any other questions let me know |
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