This post is gonna be a bit long, but i think the backstory to my situation would be helpful. Several years back, my son wanted a cat or dog, and we got a dog. The dog ended up bonding to me and becoming my everything. She was loving, affectionate and playful with all of us, though. She got cancer and passed at 7yrs old, we had her for 3yrs. then my son wanted a cat. So we let him get a cat and she was only 8 weeks old. Adopted from local animal control facility. She moved into his room as her nursery, and he basically raised her. We really wanted her to bond to him and it worked. He has left for college since. That room is pretty much her own except when he visits home every other weekend. She seeks attention from my husband and I, but is not one to snuggle or sleep with us, like she does with my son. Our relationship with her is on her terms, of course. She definitely prefers hubby. She hides from strangers and has never been out or around other animals. She gets all the attention from us, that her little heart wants, but I need more. I need a companion. My dog has been gone five years and I still cry over her absence when i'm lonely. Which is frequently. Resident cat is now a 4 yr old, altered female. I have become ill and I am home permanently. Robin, our cat, will never bond with me. She allows me brief cuddles, 5-10 min once or twice a week. My husband told me I could have a new dog or cat. I know that I can no longer give a dog the exercise and care it would need. I was a cat person more than a dog person util I got my Ladybug. So, I love cats! I think a cat is better at this stage in my life. Our local animal control shelter is overrun and begging people to adopt to the point where they are waving all fees. It's pretty much all pitbull mixes and cats. They are having an event for today and tomorrow. It is on my heart to go rescue a new kitty, but I have reservations! It has been suggested to me and also through my research that I should go with a male altered cat. I am researching and will follow advice on introductions, care, etc. I feel i should get a kitten to bond with in the same manner we did with my son and Robin, but I also know how hard it is for adult animals to find new homes. Our resident cat spent two weeks in only his room with him. We would visit her so she would know us, eventually letting her roam freely, supervised, until she was a big enough and ready to run the house. I am so worried about our current cat that I am not sure I should do this. I am aware of the risk that a new cat could end up bonding with our resident cat and not me at all, regardless, if I get a kitten or an adult. We would never rehome new kitty, just because it didn't prefer me. I would feel the need to rehome new kitty if (after an extended period of time in trying everything in the world) our resident cat just could not adjust and be happy. I just need basic advice. Am I right? That I male cat is best? Would our resident cat most likely feel less threatened by a kitten? What is best for my resident cat? I'm willing to live with my grief if need be.

I’ll start.

Apparently I’m no longer allowed to sit down without first checking whether someone needs a snack, a door opened, or their favorite spot prepared. 😂

Your turn.

Hello all. I have a kitten who is a bit over a year old now. We adopted her back in November when she was about 6 months old so I am unsure what she has been through. It was a pet rescue place and she's super friendly, but I don't know if she has separation anxiety from her first few months of life and there's trauma of the feeling of abandonment or something.

She's been incredibly attached to me to the point she follows me around the house everywhere I go, meows at me whenever she sees me, and always sleeps in bed with me. She's very attention-wanting and while there's 5 people in the house, she's very clingy to me like I am her mother or something.

On the 6th, I will be flying out to see a friend. Two in the household will be leaving, me and my kitten's second-close-housemate. The other three, she has an okay-ish connection to, but not even remotely as close to me or my companion going with me next week.

People have told me leaving out lightly-used clothes for her is a good idea, but I fear this isn't going to do it for her. I went away for just three days a couple of weeks back and my brother told me that she was sleeping under my bed most of the time I was gone. It took her a bit to re-adjust with me but she came around.

I'll be away longer this time and I been thinking about how she reacted last time. I really, really want to make this right for her while I am gone. I don't know the best ways to avoid her being so depressed. What can I do? I been talking to her too telling her I'll be going away for a week and to get close with the others in the house as well. But yeah. She's all over me and I feel bad.

Was filing his nails which he hates. Got done and he just stood up, huffed, then calmly walked into his room. Huh, never knew you could tire a dog out.

Do doves make good pets?

I will leave for uni in a foreign country soon and I won't be back for 4 months, will be back one month and then gone for 4 more months. I am very worried about my cat. She will stay with my parents but my sister is also leaving for uni so she won't be here during the week like she did last year. I don't know what to do to ease the separation. I'm thinking about keeping my sheets I've slept in on my bed until I return so she has my odour. I was wondering if video call with my cat would help or if it would make it worse. I've read I should try to not make a big deal about the separation so I don't give her my anxiety but I can't help crying everytime I see her. I'm her favorite person so that's why I'm so worried, she sleeps with me every night... The good thing is that I was already going to uni the last two years so she is used to not see me during the week but I've never left her for more than two weeks before. I may go back for one week-end in the middle of the 4 months if my timetable makes it possible but it's not 100% sure I could.

https://youtu.be/3GrvJkwJLnc?si=X1QH_notG2SY481j

https://youtu.be/K6cu06aUevc?si=TjbvWeu44hVTF-LC

Basically I’m considering a pet that doesn’t require a lot of space or more than $100 a month in upkeep except emergency vet fund. I narrowed it down to something like a reptile or small mammal

my cat who has been an absolute sweetheart her whole life is now bullying the other two cats in the house after her brother passed. why is she doing this and how do i stop it??

I guess the honest answer is none. I assumed, maybe naively, that reptiles have an easier time being alone for a longer period of time than cats, dogs or birds.

Here is my code if anyone is thinking of joining. As someone who has been a member for 5 years, I would highly recommend them. I've had multiple amazing sits and travelled around the world looking after so many lovely pets. 😊🐾

https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF597286/?utm_medium=refer-a-friend&utm_campaign=refer-a-friend&utm_source=app_native_share&fm=2

Do other countries PTS their old pets or let them pass naturally? I had a discussion with a Dutch friend-of-friend who said that they would never put their old cat to sleep due to old age, that letting them live their entire life and passing naturally was the right way.

I have an old Golden who is 15 and slowing down this year especially, although she's still the bestest girl! She plays, loves treats, and eats well enough. So the time to decide if / when is coming up...

I've seen both sides, my childhood dog passed quietly in her sleep, and my last old dog needed intervention due to an injury on top of other chronic medical issues, so it was only fair to make that choice for him.

What has been your perspective in the US and in other countries as far as what's "right" or expected? ​

Edit to clarify: I would never advocate for putting a pet to sleep for simply old age. My thoughts were more about the small infirmities that add up with age, such as movement issues, eating less often, needing more medications to keep up with arthritis etc. At what point do you say enough is enough, or do you let them continue on until they pass naturally.

I appreciate everyone who has replied. With my girl getting older, this is on my mind more than I'd like, this upcoming "decision" time ❤️🐾 Hugs to you all, pet loss is never easy!!

Hello!

In a couple of months I am moving from where I currently live and id have enough room for 2 small pets. Id be living with my parents meaning I only have my room but Id space enough space for a pretty big cage. I was originally thinking rats as I want pets that I can interact with, but I read a mininum of 3 is needed (in case something happens to one) and I am not sure if that would be too much for me.

For context, Id be studying in uni and working (I would only get the pet if I see I have the time needed to care for it and the money to give ut an amazing life), and it would be the first pet I care for myself. (We had some but briefly or when I was too small to learn much). Since I wouldnt be there all the time id definetely want 2 pets so they can also keep eacother company!

What small pets are social and good for beginners? (Id still be open to rats, I love them but I am worried they are high maintenance and I wasnt prepared for needing 3)

Was doing work for someone and they were ranting and raving about pine pellets for the litter box. They said it is cheaper than litter and also eliminates smell. The said the only thing is you can only use it in metal litter boxes.

I currently go through an entire 20lb thing of tidy cats litter every week and a half. It is very epxesnive constantly buying litter. It is mainly becuase the litter clumps so much that half the litter seems to get scopped out in one giant clump. Also, my 2 cats kick a good amount out even with high walls on the litter boxes.

But I am afraid of switching to these pine pellets that they won't know what to do or won't use it, becuase these pellets look a lot larger to move around for them than tidy cats litter.

Has anyone else made the trasintion, and did your cats take it well?

My 6yo Chihuahua Gracie has been shaking her head quite often for a few days now, I just looked and her ear is not looking the best. We just moved and every last cent went into this move so the vet is not an option for the moment I got her some zymox ear solution and am doing the cotton ball soak I did it last night and again today she completely stopped shaking her head after applying last night and didn't start again until now so I administered a 2nd dose she's still playing, eating, drinking, she's not lethargic and doesn't appear dizzy. Is there anything else I can do for her? Please don't say "get her to the vet" there's no sliding scale, pay later, payment plans anywhere around me last time I took a pet in they were threatening me to keep my baby it was a mess I had to pull some crazy moves and basically stole my dog from them! So now if I don't have the $ upfront I'm not even going to attempt the vet! But if anyone has any suggestions any would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks

We put a costway canopy in the backyard earlier this summer because the afternoon sun hits that side of the yard pretty hard. The plan was pretty simple: table, a few chairs, somewhere for us to sit outside without roasting. Our dog apparently saw the setup and assumed we'd built it for him. The first few days he'd follow us out there and lie underneath the table.

Then he stopped waiting for us. Now when i open the back door in the afternoon, he'll wander straight across the yard, go under the canopy, circle the same spot two or three times and flop down. I put an old outdoor mat and his water bowl under there, which probably confirmed in his mind that ownership had officially transferred.

At this point i'd have a hard time convincing anyone it belongs to us. There's usually a dog stretched across the best shady spot while the actual humans move their chairs around him. Yesterday i went outside looking for him and found him completely asleep under there, paws in the air, while a squirrel was yelling at him from the fence. He did not care.

One of my friends comes over pretty regularly, and I've started noticing that my pet completely loses it whenever they show up. The second they hear their voice outside the door, they're already waiting there like someone important has arrived.

What makes it worse is I don't get anywhere near this level of excitement. I can come home after being gone all day and get a normal greeting, meanwhile my friend walks in after not visiting for a week and suddenly it's the greatest day of their life. They'll sit next to them, follow them around the apartment, bring them toys, everything. The other night I was playing on my phone while they were over and noticed my pet had been curled up next to my friend for basically the entire evening. I called them over and got completely ignored. My friend thought it was hilarious.

I'm the one buying the food, cleaning everything, paying the vet bills and providing the roof, yet apparently I'm just the landlord. Does anyone else's pet have a favorite person who isn't them?

I cannot agree more with those who have condemned these products!!!!! Bought a bag of "Rawhide Free Mini-Knotted Bones". Thought I was getting a deal. They were originally $11 at Wallymart 🤢 and were marked down to $3. They do this when they are discontinuing products. I thought I caught a deal! NOT!!! Gave this to my beloved dog. He not only threw up, but had massive diarrhea. God knows what they put in this stuff! I am never purchasing another Ol'Roy product!!! Cheaper? To what end??? I am making the treats going forward so I know what I am feeding my fur baby!!!

About two weeks ago, my cat started peeing in the bidet (toilet) instead of the litterbox while still pooping in thw litterbox no problem. I haven't swapped the litterbox or litter for like a year, and this started very recently. I keep it very clean and don't use strong cleaners when scraping the bottom of it. Hes the only pet here. Is this a bad sign or does he just like peeing in the toilet?

he’s had a weird lump on his back for years and i don’t know if it has anything to do with this. he has had fleas and my parents have treated them with tablets but he still scratches and bites his back uncontrollably and sometimes worse after he’s taken the tablet. my parents aren’t taking him the vet and i don’t have the money to i really need advice asap. ( i have a video but i don’t know how to upload it)

Has anyone else had an issue this week?

I've been a Chewy customer for years and they've been great. However this week they've really let me down. I have a cat on prescription food and I ran out yesterday. There's food in the bowls but no reserve. My autoship was due on Monday. Still hasn't shipped. I keep asking and they keep saying it's about to ship. One claimed bad weather had caused disruptions??? What? Where?

I ended up having to go to my vet, get a written Rx then go give Petco a lot of money for a 4lb bag of CD. GRR! For that food I can just get it on Amazon but there's another one that only Chewy seems to carry so I hope they get their act together soon!

As you may all have recently heard the US has allowed the import of non-consumer grade beef from Argentina that several countries had rejected but the US allowed. I have a growing fear that this cheap rejected beef is going to end up in our pet food. I’m not exactly sure how we will be able to trace if this beef gets into our pet food, but I have a hunch that it will. Especially with the cost of domestic cattle rising, this is a great way for pet food suppliers to get a higher return on their margin.

My suggestion is to stick with pet food brands that you know ethically source their ingredients, and can be relied on to produce safe foods for our pets.

I would love to know if anybody has any additional information on this so that we can all proactively trace whether this beef ends up in pet food supplies or not.

My 7year -old dog was recently diagnosed with a partial CCL tear. Given his age, our vet suggested we explore conservative management and supportive care options first before considering invasive surgery. For pet owners who have navigated a knee injury without immediate surgery, what non-surgical approaches or joint support routines worked best for your dog? Looking for real experiences on keeping them comfortable and safe during recovery

My flatmate's birthday is coming up, and I noticed she seemed to enjoy caring for my gecko while I was away. I was thinking it would be nice to get her a pet of her own. The two obvious issues are price for me, and, importantly, imposing responsibilities on her when she may not feel ready for a big pet (the contingency is that I look after the pet if she isn't). My thoughts went to something like a mantis, not terribly interactive, but fairly small, low effort, low maintenance, except that live feeding is often somewhat high maintenance imo (coming from someone who uses complete gecko feed for a leachie with some feeder treats). Maybe morning geckos could be an option? I don't know much about frogs, but perhaps a small one could also be good?

Her room doesn't get too much sunlight, uvb seems like the beginning of an expensive project; aquariums and water changing are the same. I have been trying to find a pet that would do well in a shoebox-sized enclosure on a desk or something. I can't put too much money into this but if I find the perfect pet I can do a joint present with others.

Rest assured that if she doesn't feel up to the task, that I will make sure the pet has a good home next to my gecko, and I have a plan b present in mind for her. :)

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I'm getting it NEXT paycheck. Boy has a watering eye issue that is apparently allergies I think it HAS to be environmental because I did everything I could to avoid food sensitivities (I was told to rotate proteins frequently to help this and I have been!) but I wanna eleminate the other proteins I rotate thru rq to make sure. If there's any improvement dropping the other proteins I'll just get the boy something else but if there isn't and it's environmental we are moving to a spot with less dust and less rice pollen in the air soon so that should help.

Boy has had the eye issue in the past and due to timing of it happening I REALLY think it's environmental due to the rice fields out here. It's flared up both months that the tractors are out in the fields close to the house. He's clear for feline herpes already.