Can You Please Help Us Choose a Pet?

[katydidthat]

My son wants something cuddly.  Not a fish, not a bird (although I would like a bird).

We live in a tiny teeny 2 BR unit ... it is not big enough for a cat or a dog.  

It would be nice if it could like happily in a large bird cage ... as I have one.  

NOT MICE OR RATS.  

TVMIA

[sprinklespowerpuff]

Sure are. I love them. Meerkat clans have a fantastic social structure for such small creatures.  Puts us to shame in some ways.

[bella_again]

Either a cat or a rabbit,  Both can be trained to use the litter tray inside.  But with rabbits you have to make sure they can't chew electrical cords.

Cats sleep a lot of the day but with your son playing with it after school etc it will be fine. You don't need a lot of room, just a good scratching post, food and lots of love! and def go to a shelter for one.  Check out your local face book rescue group you might be surprised at some of the wonderful animals that come up for adoption.

Ferrets can be great but they are also temperamental and when they bite they bite hard!

[katydidthat]

No, I haven't seen Meerkat Manor ... but I don't want one any more 🙂

[bella_again]

Katy there is very little smell if you keep the litter box clean with a cat. My boxes are in the laundry.  My house is bigger than yours but I went to a very small house where the local rescue lady lives, she has nine of them and honestly it did not smell one bit. So I think it depends on the management of the litter boxes.

[monstersinthedungeon]

You can train cats to use a human loo....

If you are intolerant of smells, maybe do a bit more research re the bunny or guinea pig. I've never owned either, so not sure what the smell factor is, but have owned rats and they STINK (never again).

We did have Chincillas in NZ (can't have them here) and I can't remember them smelling, but do recall the rats, even though their cage was cleaned every day, stank the place out.

[monstersinthedungeon]

Do you have a balcony? You could put a litter box out there, and a cat door in the balcony door for it to access the litterbox. If it is safety glass then you can get a sliding door insert with a cat door at the bottom, so you don't have to cut the glass.

[amalan11]

I have a lovely pair of ferrets .They are great pets if you get a good one or pair.they sleep about 18 hrs a day are very playful,don't chew stuff and eat cat food or chicken.

Google Ferret rescue NSW.I got mine there and was realy impressed with their knowledge of the personality of the rehomed Ferrets .Its also cheaper as they come desexed/vacinated and ferrets must be desexed as males are agressive and a female will die if she cannot breed .

My guys live very happily in a 2 story rabbit hutch that was $80 on ebay inc shipping.

They are like a cross between a cat and dog ..personally id always get two as they love to snuggle together

you are also helping rescue animals not irresponsible breeders

[sprinklespowerpuff]

You are certainly very limited in what pet you can have then, Katy. I was going to suggest a Budgie as they can be very entertaining - talk but not really noisy birds, love playing with their little toys, clean and thrive on human interaction.  I can't think of any other pet atm that would be suitable. We've exhausted just about every option. 

[sprinklespowerpuff]

Ferrets are escape artists so I would be worried about that. They are certainly entertaining but are so full of beans can be a bit of a handful.

[katydidthat]

Bella, I really find it difficult to deal with smells ... I have a very sensitive nose ... and the unit is soooooooooooo very tiny.  

Monsters, yes, I have a balcony, but that's my *space* ... I go out there to watch the rainbow lorikeets, and smell the fresh mown grass and do art stuff.  It also has big gaps at ground level where cats could get out.  

Amalan, I'll check out ferrets, and thank you 🙂

Yep, Sprinkles ... and while I'm feeling very "precious" and picky here, I'd rather choose a pet that is going to fit in and belong here, rather than choose one that is not going to be a good mix and has to be taken back.  

I'd love a budgie ... but my son has just read the thread and comes down in favour of a rabbit ... 

We need to talk a little more ... 

Does anyone know anything about dwarf rabbits?