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Small pets

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Low maintenance indoor pet?

40 replies

absolutelyflawed · 26/07/2017 15:46

DC love animals and would love a dog but we are renting and so sadly can't.
What would make a good indoor pet? - Ideally one that can be left for a night / for 24 hours if necessary..

OP posts:
Stargirl82 · 26/07/2017 18:45

Snake? Needs feeding every 7-14 days. Water top ups requires daily. Remove poo once every 2 weeks. V little effort required apart from initial set up!

StayGoldPonyBoy · 26/07/2017 18:47

Hamsters are fine to be left for a day. As long as they have clean water and food obviously.

SpareChangeDownTheSofa · 26/07/2017 18:52

All animals need daily water changes no matter what, so none can be left for 24 hours but overnight could be okay. Maybe with the exception of fish as you can get block food and things. Fish are high maintenance though, they need big tanks (never a bowl or anything under 5 gallons and they require a lot of set up/cleaning).

BarbaraOcumbungles · 26/07/2017 18:53

Guinea pigs,rabbits and rats are not at all low maintenance If they're looked after properly. Other small mammals require less daily care - girbils and hamsters are easy pets but it does sound as if some fish might be a better choice.

KitKat1985 · 26/07/2017 18:56

My friend used to keep degus and said they made great pets. They do need quite a big cage though.

purplepixy · 26/07/2017 18:56

We have a crested gecko. Doesn't need live food, very easy to look after. Can feed every other day can go up to a week apparently in-between meals but we never leave it that long. He is very friendly as well, and interesting for kids.

krustykittens · 26/07/2017 18:56

We have chinchillas but I would say they are not for young kids. They need gentle handling and it can take while for them to get used to you. Having said that, we find them very easy to take care of. They have a huge cage, lots of toys, a wheel (which is essential in my view) and we let them out in the bathroom where they cannot do any damage. The kids love them but they are 15 and 12 so not little kids. However, they live on average 20 years so I would say get a chinchilla if YOU want one. It will be looking after them when the kids head off to uni! Rats are lovely, again, need a big cage and lots of toys but very sweet and love to play. We also had ferrets but even neutered ferrets have a strong smell! One of the best pets we have ever had, slept 19 hours a day, very quiet, love to play, love to cuddle and were just a great combination of dog and cat. Highly doubt an LL will give you permission though. Sad

NC4now · 26/07/2017 18:59

Get a cat. Some breeds need to be indoor, lots of people choose to have indoor cats and some have to stay in for health reasons.

absolutelyflawed · 26/07/2017 19:21

What do geckos eat please?
Are Syrian hamsters pretty much same as others - ie could be left overnight? - this would be rarely anyway.

OP posts:
13Bastards · 26/07/2017 20:48

My geckos ate crickets and mealworms from what I can remember- it was 10 years ago now.

purplepixy · 27/07/2017 06:11

Our gecko has a food called Repashy which is like a paste you mix up for them. You can feed live as extra but this has everything they need in a diet.

MinicruisesGO · 27/07/2017 06:19

Hamsters don't really make good kids pets. Most don't like being handled.

Experienced small pet owner here.

rattieofcarcassone · 27/07/2017 20:19

I know you've said not rats op but just incase somebody is following: Definitely not rats if you want low maintenance, they require a good amount of time out daily, get bored easily and love wires. Saying that, they are utterly wonderful pets and I love mine and am very glad that my DD will grow up around them!

rightsaidfrederickII · 27/07/2017 20:49

On the topic of hamsters - they're nocturnal. My Syrian regularly doesn't get up until 8/9pm at night, which is often after DC's bedtime (but delightful for me as a working adult). You can't wake them up - they tend to be grumpy and potentially bitey if you do that.

Do be aware that they have needs above and beyond what Pets at Home and other such pet shops will tell you about. They must have a cage that is at least 80x50cm unbroken floorspaces (shelves are bonuses, not to be included in that figure) and ideally bigger. I recommend the Zooplus.co.uk Alaska / Barney / Alexander. The largest hamster cage sold by PAH is half the minimum, for context.

Syrians must have a wheel that is at least 28cm in diameter. Any less and they will have to bend their back or neck to run, and that causes painful spinal problems.

Syrians are the easiest to handle, but can be quick, especially when they're young. Mine will let you know when she's bored and feels she needs new / different toys. She's very friendly (thanks to many months of careful, non-grabby handling) and always wants to come out - she usually needs an hour per evening.

Dwarves aren't great pets for children - they're faster, harder to handle, pairs often fight (even if you set up their cage especially to reduce territorial behaviour) and have to be separated. Plus, the dwarf hybrids / Russian dwarves are very prone to diabetes and need a special diet + monitoring. You're better off with a Syrian hamster.

If you do decide you want a hamster, go in with your eyes open, do your research, and rescue one, either directly (via classified ads) or via a rescue group. They can be wonderful pets for older children and adults, but the general perception that they are "children's pets" often leads to a disastrous underestimation of their welfare needs.

rightsaidfrederickII · 27/07/2017 20:51

PS yes, hamsters can be left overnight. I've left mine up to 48 hours when I've had no other option, but I don't really like doing that and it usually results in a toy being destroyed by the hamster having a temper tantrum because she's not getting the attention she craves Grin

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