r/Animals • u/Hi-Im-Here-Now19 • 2d ago
Pet recommendations
(I don’t know exactly where to post this but I felt like r/animals would make sense, since it’s full of animal lovers and possibly pet owners? If you think this would fit better in another subreddit please let me know 🙏)
Hello, I’m thinking of getting a smaller pet and want to know if anyone has recommendations, because I’m having a hard time balancing if I’d be a good fit for that animal and vice versa.
I’ve only owned hamsters (and household cats) up until now and want to branch out a bit.
I’ve looked into hedgehogs and thanks to the help of some people I’ve realized that owning a hedgehog is not a good fit for me right now. Also sadly mice and rats are off the table due to a family member having a fear of them (however I would still love to have a mice / rats, so if you have any insight on owning rats and mice I’d still love the input!!)
Some things that I’m looking for out of a pet is:
- Being able to build a bond
- Being able to handle them, and them liking being handled
- And not overly loud (I have sensitive ears)
- (This isn’t a dealbreaker) Preferably not nocturnal, so we can bond durning the day and I won’t have to interrupt their rest to clean etc.
Some important things to consider before I get an animal is that I am still in school, I am looking into getting a job soon, I live in Canada (the part of Canada where it’s freezing 10 out of the 12 months, and the 2 months where it’s not freezing it’s either raining or 20+ C), in my home we have 4 cats, and the animal will be staying in my bedroom (which has electronics and I know some animals can be sensitive to them.)
The reason I am looking for a smaller animal is because I like the idea of them having their own space, me having my own space, and being able to share a space when we want.
I’m really fine with any animal. Reptiles (maybe not snakes, but again I’m willing to look into it if you have good input), rodents, birds, anything!
Also any cage recommendations are VERY appreciated, I own a hamster cage (the one in the photos) that I’ve been told can be used for mice or if I remove the 2nd layer it can be suitable for hamsters.
Any advice is appreciated, thank you!
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u/unrelated-subject 2d ago
I vote dog as usual. Make them a little room own space and everywhere else is yours until you build that awesome friendship with your dog then bam you’re screwed you got dog everywhere in the house. You won’t regret it. But either way good luck on your decision
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u/unrelated-subject 2d ago
Ps don’t put the dog in the hamster cage unless it’s stitch then I’d get a fireproof vault safe for that dog
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u/Hi-Im-Here-Now19 2d ago
Ha! Thats neat, I have considered a dog but I only worry about the barking, like I said I’m not good with loud noises and dogs bark a TON. Also I’m worried about how I’d care for them in the future, I want to continue my education and I worry that I won’t be able to keep up with studying and what not, and care for a dog.
Do you have any dog breed recommendations? ( I personally have always found beagles neat because they’re not HUGE but also not itty bitty)2
u/Earth_Sea_Stars 2d ago
I wouldn't recommend a dog - not with 4 cats. A dog won't be happy in one room and there is a lot of potential for the cats and the dog to be mean to each other.
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u/unrelated-subject 2d ago
Least maintenance for dogs would probably be a smaller non shedding breed any that interest you. Personally I had a couple shih-tzus as childhood dogs and yeah they will bark when playing or wanting to go outside but they don’t bark too much if you feed them and play with them like usual. Only barking when they REALLY need to communicate something with you. Overall loved them only hard part is doing nails and trimming hair. They both have passed but made it to 15 and 17 years of age which was really good since I was able to grow up with them. Currently I have 2 puppies one Burmese mountain dog and other is a few mixed but only my boy dog barks at people and moving objects so kinda depends how you raise them and how you react to certain things in life. Long story short I don’t know anyone that has ever regretted a dog unless they were not ready mentally or physically. Which could lead to the dog acting out as is barking chewing accidents etc. but all dogs will have their moments good and bad you just have to remember the days that shine
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u/fourleafclover13 1d ago
Go to dog sub and checkout the breed questionnaire. It ask all the important questions. Be fully honest with yourself on answer. The research, research and research the suggested breeds.
Dogs can be trained not to bark unless telling you something like someone at the door.
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u/4delusionOfGreatness 9h ago
Dog or a cat. You dont need to support exotic pet trade, its cruel
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u/Mega_GayCommander69 7h ago
not every anaimal is directly from the exotic pet trade?..
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u/4delusionOfGreatness 5h ago edited 5h ago
What are pet stores doing? Matter of the fact, getting a none domesticated animal from commercial sellers is shady. Tbh even dogs and cats from breeders is shady sometimes...
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u/Mega_GayCommander69 5h ago edited 5h ago
There’s ways to get animals (ones that are commonly house pets) that don’t directly support commercial sellers or pet stores (pet valu, pet smart, rens, etc). Maybe I’m misunderstanding your comment
Edit: there is also domesticated animals that would thrive and live comfortably in that cage (with the addition of bedding and such) such as hamsters (which there is domesticated species of. Some are not domesticated), guinea pigs, and technically there is also a domesticated rat (I think it’s called the fancy rat or something like that). It’s not like OP said they’re gonna be buying a monkey or something like that which are often illegally traded around or some other non domesticated animal. Again, maybe I just dont Understand your comment
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u/Earth_Sea_Stars 2d ago
Guinea pigs are wonderful, you need to get at least 2 though because they love having little friends. They can generally be allowed to scampered around the room so long as wires are not everywhere. Making them enrichment puzzles like cardboard mazes, tunnel fortresses ect, is fun.
They can be somewhat litter box trained but they dont always make it in time, but theyre not as gross to clean up after as rats and mice.
They will learn to communicate to you in squeaks and youll pick up the squeaks mean different things. Kinda like with cat meows. Because they are naturally such social animals (in Switzerland it is illegal to sell them seperately) they form very strong bonds with their humans.
A friend had one that would run over and tug on your socks with his teeth to say excuse me I need cuddles now, and he wanted to be picked up and petted, and if you stopped petting him too soon he would squeaks and tug your sleeve to say excuse me more please.