Should I and if so what kind of pet to get?
Discussion
Hello,
I have not had pets since I was a child, which was a very long time ago, and even then they were dogs whose main job was security (at night).
During the week I spend a lot of time on my own at home, so I have been thinking more and more about getting a pet. However I am unsure if...
(a) I should get a pet? I am at work for up to 10 hours a day and I live in a 1st floor apartment.
(b) What it should be? I would like the pet to be reasonably "interactive" and have a personality, but I don't want one that goes "mental" (destroys the place) if it does not get constant attention.
Now, a dog would have been my first choice as I have always considered myself a "dog person". However as I am out of the house for so long, I guess it is out of the question.
I have read up a little on keeping fish but, and while they do fascinate/intrigue me, it seems to be more like a (possibly futile) exercise in creating/managing an ecosystem than it is in owning pets. Additionally what happens when I go on holiday?
Not sure if I can get on with amphibians and reptiles. However, my only "exposure" to them have been from really bad b grade horror movies!
Now, while I do see myself as a dog person, I do seem to get on well with cats. In that, they seem quite happy coming over to me for a tickle/scratch session or few and spending some lap time.
What other options are out there?
Any thoughts, ideas, advice?
Is this a good idea? Or should I resign myself to only being able to get a Pleo?
TIA
Cuch
I have not had pets since I was a child, which was a very long time ago, and even then they were dogs whose main job was security (at night).
During the week I spend a lot of time on my own at home, so I have been thinking more and more about getting a pet. However I am unsure if...
(a) I should get a pet? I am at work for up to 10 hours a day and I live in a 1st floor apartment.
(b) What it should be? I would like the pet to be reasonably "interactive" and have a personality, but I don't want one that goes "mental" (destroys the place) if it does not get constant attention.
Now, a dog would have been my first choice as I have always considered myself a "dog person". However as I am out of the house for so long, I guess it is out of the question.
I have read up a little on keeping fish but, and while they do fascinate/intrigue me, it seems to be more like a (possibly futile) exercise in creating/managing an ecosystem than it is in owning pets. Additionally what happens when I go on holiday?
Not sure if I can get on with amphibians and reptiles. However, my only "exposure" to them have been from really bad b grade horror movies!
Now, while I do see myself as a dog person, I do seem to get on well with cats. In that, they seem quite happy coming over to me for a tickle/scratch session or few and spending some lap time.
What other options are out there?
Any thoughts, ideas, advice?
Is this a good idea? Or should I resign myself to only being able to get a Pleo?
TIA
Cuch
You sound like a chilled-out moggy might be a v good fit - there are a LOT of older cats who need an indoor home due to war wounds etc. (so first floor no problem), are well past the insane-kitten stage and would really appreciate a human mate to sit on of an evening... better yet, home a pair and they'll keep each other company during long days at work.
Older cats all the way.
Bob was ten years old when I adopted him, and had been in Cats Protection care for ages since most people want a kitten.
Plenty of life in the old boy yet:
Though he does sleep a lot:
An older cat won't mind being indoors, so long as they have plenty of toys to keep them amused / things to climb on.
Bob was ten years old when I adopted him, and had been in Cats Protection care for ages since most people want a kitten.
Plenty of life in the old boy yet:
Though he does sleep a lot:
An older cat won't mind being indoors, so long as they have plenty of toys to keep them amused / things to climb on.
Hello
How do the fish "look after themselves" when you are away? Do you have an automated feeder or do you get someone to come in to feed them? Does the water not need to be cleaned/changed every couple of weeks? It was thoughts of these that put me off fish.
Have not considered a tortoise. Not sure if I am a reptile/amphibian type person either.
Cuch
therealpigdog said:
Rats.
Grew up reading James Herbert. Rats give me the creeps! Tribal Chestnut said:
Cockroaches.
Not sure what "lap time" with a 'roach would be like. Plus I have lived in countries where 'roaches thought of as "plague" carries...Heathwood said:
Bearded dragons are fantastic. Very sociable with lovely personalities. Mine really is part of the family and will cuddle into me and have a nap.
Did think about this and then I started thinking about "Licence to Kill" and if I needed to get some kind of diamond choker for it.... z4chris99 said:
what happens to the cat when you go on holiday?
I have a tortoise and fish... they look after themselves.
tortoise is a pretty good pet actually
If it was a cat/dog then it would be a cattery/kennels. Is that a bad thing?I have a tortoise and fish... they look after themselves.
tortoise is a pretty good pet actually
How do the fish "look after themselves" when you are away? Do you have an automated feeder or do you get someone to come in to feed them? Does the water not need to be cleaned/changed every couple of weeks? It was thoughts of these that put me off fish.
Have not considered a tortoise. Not sure if I am a reptile/amphibian type person either.
Cuch
Another vote for a friendly indoor middle-aged, probably female, cat. Ours has a great personality, friendly, needs cuddles, follows you everywhere, but still lets you know she has a personality by having a daft half hour every now and then (usually doing a lap of the house at break-neck speed to celebrate having a dump in her tray 
)
Re holidays we just ask a neighbour or relative to pop in once a day to change food/water, sorted.
)Re holidays we just ask a neighbour or relative to pop in once a day to change food/water, sorted.
CR6ZZ said:
Birman! Job jobbed. Happy inside, don't mind catteries, will follow you round and play fetch like a dog if desired, very affectionate, playful, laid back, great personality. Only drawback is cream fluff on the carpet......
Are Birmans long or short haired? SeanyD said:
Another vote for a friendly indoor middle-aged, probably female, cat. Ours has a great personality, friendly, needs cuddles, follows you everywhere, but still lets you know she has a personality by having a daft half hour every now and then (usually doing a lap of the house at break-neck speed to celebrate having a dump in her tray )
Re holidays we just ask a neighbour or relative to pop in once a day to change food/water, sorted.
If I do go down the cat route I was thinking more along the lines of a British Shorthaired. Specifically a black/silver striped tabby.)Re holidays we just ask a neighbour or relative to pop in once a day to change food/water, sorted.
Something like this:
But ideally like this:
Athlon said:
Rescue an unwanted Chinchilla, they live for ages and are great pets, great fun to interact with and they are pretty clever little things as well.
Had a quick read up on these and the 1st thing that popped out is that they should be kept locked up as they like chewing on anything and everything. I have a lot of power/data cables lying around, so that would be an issue.
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