UrbanBaby

09.04.19, 18:29 PM General Topics
18 replies

What's a good small pet to get for my 9yo? She'd really like a turtle but they live so long. Just start with a fish? [ Reply | Watch | Flag ]
General Topics 09.04.19, 06:29 PM Flag

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I recommend two female guinea pigs. They live 6-8 years. Very easy pets to have but cuddly and fun. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:34 PM Flag

NP: me too. They do require daily attention and care, though (including keeping their pen clean), so consider the care involved when getting a pet(s). [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:39 PM Flag

This. And always at least 2 - they are social animals and they get depressed and neurotic very quickly if they live alone, to the point that it is illegal to own only one guinea pig in some countries. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:51 PM Flag

+1. we have 2 pigs also. did that to practice and now we have dog too. i will say they are sweet and social but need regular cleanings or starts to smell like a farm. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:58 PM Flag

OR: I didn't mean to downplay the cage cleaning, fwiw. We used to have guinea pigs but have rats currently, and they have the same cage cleaning requirement but also require more interaction (and won't just sit on your lap while you read, like a guinea pig). [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:08 PM Flag

We've had great luck with amano shrimp in a freshwater tank with live plants. They're super easy to care for and don't require much feeding, since they eat the mulm and algae, keeping the tank pretty clean. We have 5 in a 5-gallon tank and they're really fun to watch. They also don't breed in freshwater, like most other shrimp species. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:36 PM Flag

Don't do it. Unless you can commit to a cat or dog, owning a pet is a) no fun and b) lots of gross cage/tank cleaning. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:56 PM Flag

So that isn't you I saw picking up dog droppings out on the sidewalk? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 06:59 PM Flag

Correction: it's no fun for YOU. It's tremendous fun for lots of us who love animals. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:08 PM Flag

This. Does it take work? Yes. Does it bring joy? Yes. The joy exceeds the work involved. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:20 PM Flag

hamsters are gross but you can play with them. they don't live more than 2 yrs [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:11 PM Flag

They can be biters though. There are many more congenial rodents. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:20 PM Flag

true. mine doesn't bite but they are still gross! but a little cute [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 07:40 PM Flag

Why are they gross? We just got one, she nips a little but I'm still trying to tame her. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 08:44 PM Flag

poop and pee is non stop. if you don't change the cage every few days, starts to stink [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 08:46 PM Flag

np Guinea pigs and rats use a specific corner of the cage for their "toileting." You can put a small litter pan in the corner and change it out quickly and easily. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 10:06 PM Flag

I would get a guinea pig over rats. but don't guinea pigs live a long time? [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.05.19, 02:04 PM Flag

gerbil. They are desert animals so they do not pee much and thus don't smell like hamsters. [ Reply | More

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General Topics 09.04.19, 08:12 PM Flag