Pet Suggestions

[2Chiwawa]

Well it turns out I probably won't be moving. This is good and bad. I won't have to go through all the packing and hard work. :) But I don't have room in my current apartment for an aquarium now. :cry:

I was thinking of getting a big turtle instead. Has anyone had a turtle?

What other suggestions do you have? What do you all think would be a good addition to my two chi girls, my cat and my two parakeets.

[Bev&Casey]

Hello

The only thing I know about Turtles is that they grow>>>my friend built a little pond in her back yard and one day a neighbour came over to ask if she could room her turtle that had outgrown it's rubbermaid container.......

Casey

[Romans Mom]

What about a Betta fish? They're very nice looking, can live alone, and they can be in a very small aquarium. I've seen them kept in vases at banks and doctors offices, but I've recently read some think they need filtration. You can get a tank about the size of a large coffee can, and they're cute.

[2Chiwawa]

Oh, I should have said any pet other than fish. I tried Betta fish. I liked them but they were kind of slow compared to an aquarium and they got boring.

Any other suggestions that are non-fishy pets...

[2Chiwawa]

Well I just did a little turtle reading. Too messy.

How about mice. Those little pretty mice. Has anyone had pet mice?

[islandbabies]

Doesn't Anne have a turtle that's been with her for a really long time?
My cousins had pet mice, then they had babies! :w00t: I don't think I'd own one, but I think they're really entertaining to watch, especially when they have that little exercised wheel and then spin around on it. Maybe mice would be good for you, sure beats your previous fish. :lol:

[Sandy Balto]

I bet your cat would like some pet mice, I know if i had them my cat would probally have them for a snack, plus im scared of mice

[LuKi]

I have had many turtles and I LOVE them!! We are going to set up an outside above ground pond thing this summer with water turtles again. I had 2 turtles once (red-eared sliders), Poke and Dnky!! When I first got Poke it didn't have a heater in the water the first night and left him by my fireplace, he got pnumonia. I had to spend about $200 and 3 months of force feeding him baby food in a seringe before he got better. The doctor said that he only a 10% chance at living. He lived and I got another one too. I had a 10 gallon aquarium that I set up in my living room, very nice!! When my back got really bad I couldn't clean their tank every week and lift it so I gave them to the local store owner that helped me with them and he put them in his pond at his house, they grew sooooo big!!!

I think box turtles are great! I found a baby baby one this past summer in my grandma's yard, his shell was still soft. He probably wouldn't have made it out there with all the birds so I brought him home for my little cousin. He was only the size of maybe a nickel, it has been since early last summer and now he is still only about the size of a quarter. His shell is hard now and he is doing GREAT!!! My aunt and cousin still have him, she set up a ten gallon aquarium with rocks and fresh grass on one side and sand on the other. This is kinda creapy but she put an old turtle shell from a bigger box turtle in there that is hollow and he stays in it a lot sleeping! I think that they are great pets and I have tried to talk her into letting me have him but she won't, I will have to find another one this summer hopefully!!!

[2Chiwawa]

Do the red eared sliders have to swim? Can I set them up with grass and sand? I'm trying to avoid anything with lots of water. I guess I could do lizards of some type... Any more suggestions?

Cat plus mice seems like asking for trouble. That is why turtles were my first choice.

[LuKi]

I don't think that they have to be in water ALL the time. I had one for a loooong time as a kid and during the day I just put him in a fish bowl with water and a large rock so he could get out of the water when he wanted to then put him in a dry aquarium in the evening. The fish bowl is MUCH easier to clean and it still gives them time to swim.
If you do not want to deal with water I think a box turtle would be great for you then, they only water needed is drinking water. Look on the web for the care of them and see if it meets your criteria. Good Luck!!!

[lilblizzardchic]

at the house i live at during my summer vacation it has a pond more like a lake and it has turtles and stuff like that in it the turtles come out and sometimes wonder right into our yards we have kept many in a baby pool (one of those lil plastic ones) and we pt a big pile of sand in the middle and fill the rest with water the are very easy to take care of but are really messy we woud clean the pool 2 times a week and it would take about an hour for 4 people to clean then we would have to put in the sand and fill it with water but that is my personal opinion maybe you should get like a small lizard or a tree frog they are really pretty

[2Chiwawa]

I'm thinking lizard. Something dry that only needs water for drinking.
Has anyone had any lizards?

[LuKi]

I'm thinking lizard. Something dry that only needs water for drinking.
Has anyone had any lizards?

Lizard or Box Turtle!! They both need dry land and only water to drink. Notice I am pushing "turtle", I just love them.LOL :lol: I'm sure that you will be happy with whatever you decide. :D

[2Chiwawa]

I thought you couldn't get a box turtle in a store. Do you mean I can buy a box turtle. That would be wonderful. Turtle is still my first choice. :D

[LuKi]

OH YEAH!!! They sell box turtles. I have seen them in most pet stores. Do you have a Petco near you? I have seen them there too, if they don't have one there right now you can always ask if they can order you one. They can special order certain types of animals and fish on request. Let me know what you find out.

Otherwise during the summer here I see them all over here (on the road, in gardens, in grass), I'll have to mail him to you!!! LOL

[2Chiwawa]

Oh boy Box Turtle. I will have to do some reading and ask at my fave pet store. This is where I got Gracie and Sammi and this guy is a real class act in the quality of the animals and how he sells them. They are very very well treated in the store and he backs up all his sales in every way.

I may end up with a second cat though, and I promised my Mom that I would stop looking around for more additions to the zoo if I got the second cat...

But I could get the turtle and then get the cat... :wink:

[islandbabies]

Some lizards like chameleons require extra care. Proper sunlight, uv rays, food, and all around habitat. So I'm thinking turtle would be best too! I would love to get a turtle! Hmmm? :idea: What about a salamander? Those are pretty low maintanence and cool looking too! Although, I don't think it's their season right now. http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0903/sprachlos/speechless-smiley-016.gif

[LuKi]

Great Faye, let me know what you find out!!! :blob2:

[Luckys Mom]

how about a hampster or chincilla...or guinie pig...those don't need water only to drink....well wait a minute chincilla's can have water they can't get wet...or they smell like mil dew

[Sandy Balto]

I would go for another cat, that wat you will have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and i guess thats because i like cats my self lol

[2Chiwawa]

Ok, I am looking into Box Turtle but I forgot about salamanders. They are nice and small. Kids were coming into the Library for books about them and I never thought to get one myself. I'll have to check it out.

I would love another cat but I only live in a small apartment with my Mom. We have a lot of pet hair now and feathers from two parakeets. I think I have enough mammals right now. But there is a possible cat.
The cat lives in my building. My friend and I are concerned because it is left alone too much and negelected by its owner. We are trying to get her to give it away. I think I may have found a home for it with my boss. But would be willing to take it if he can't.

But when it comes to critters I am greedy I would still like the turtle or salamander even if I got the cat. I'm a frustrated zoo director I guess.

[islandbabies]

Faye I think it's great that you and a friend are trying to save this poor cat. And I hope its owner surrenders it, especially if they're not taking care of it! :x Well if you got the cat, I'm sure you'd still be able to get the turtle or the salamander, they're not too big. LOL! Let us know what you decide.

[2Chiwawa]

We left a message for the lady to let her know that we have someone who wants her cat. If we don't get an answer from her we plan to just take it if it gets out this spring. If the cat gets out when she is gone it wanders around crying. We figure it is fair game if it gets out. We plan to take it and just take the collar off and I will keep it. She has never met me and never comes to this side of the apartment building. If anyone else ever notices we will just play dumb. Poor kitty.

I haven't decided about the other critters... Still checking facts.

[2Chiwawa]

Here is an update on the neglected kitty in my apartment building:

Well he is sleeping on my dining room table as I type. He is a small long haired grey tabby. He is very beautiful with very long fur and a fluffy tail. He is my eleventh cat and my first long hair.

The girl brought him to me last night. She didn't seem like the sharpest tack in the box if you know what I mean. She is moving in one month and would have dropped him off at the shelter if we had not contacted her.

The cats name is Montgomery. He looks like a Montgomery. Very beautiful mixture of all greys and blacks with white paws and chest. He is five years old. He is sweet, affectionate and good natured even considering how confused he must be.

I took him to the vet today and he checked out as healthy. But he does seem neglected. His fur was not matted and he was clean but his fur is dull and he could use better brushing. He needed his nails clipped. Also he weighs only 7 lbs. I wouldn't say he was starved but you can feel his hip bones under his long bushy fur. The vet said he would like to see him put on 1-2 lbs.

He didn't eat or drink before I took him to the vet so he was given fluids. I was worried he wouldn't eat but he did eat at 8:30 tonight after being here for 24 hours. He ate some chicken babyfood I had in the house for emergencies and a little chicken Fancy Feast too. Then he drank and then he used the box. I realized the girl was feeding him at night when she ran in to get her mail. She wasn't even living in the apartment. Poor kitty. So it was just that he was on a late feeding schedule.

So, here he is safe and sound in my house. I'll tell you the dog/cat interactions and the cat/cat interactions as we go along. So far so good and just looking at him has been a pleasure and a blessing for me.

[Amaze]

Congratulations on your new kitty!!! With all the horrible stories of abuse/neglect that I hear all the time, it is nice to know that you saved this cat from possible death and gave him the love and care he deserves! Can't wait to see pics of him and the rest of your zoo!!!
PS-I need to get some information from you, could you email me at alyzard5@yahoo.com? Thanks!
Alyssa

[Tracy, Daisy & Zoe]

what a lucky kitty he is to be taken into your loving home!! congrats! can't wait to hear how he gets along with everyone else... :)

[2Chiwawa]

Thank you both. I will do pics as soon as I learn my camera. I was on vacation this week and still did not get a chance to sit and read the manual.

E-mail on the way. :)

[Hercules Momma]

Oh Faye.. I'm so glad you took in Montegomery! :clap: :blob: Can't wait to see pics! I love kitties. I bet he is so happy to have a home! Can't wait to hear how he gets along with all the other furbabies in the house! :dance: :blob2: :lmbo:

[Sandy Balto]

Faye Im glad you decided to take the cat he sure is lucky that he found a good home I bet he will love his new sisters :D

[Romans Mom]

:blob: :clap: :blob2: :blob: WELCOME MONTGOMERY! :blob2: :clap: :blob2: :clap: :blob:

:wub: Hi Faye, I think this has been the most perfect timing for Montgomery to come to you. I can't wait to see him and also hear how your girls like him and all the antics. I'm very happy for you. You're an angel for this kitty. :wub:

[2Chiwawa]

Thank you all again for welcoming Montgomery. He is the sweetest thing. He wound himself around our legs this morning asking for more food. He has come off the dining room table and is watching all the antics of the girls. There is some barking and running around by the girls and he just gets out of the way.

Now that I know he is healthy etc. I plan to sit with him tonight and give him a really good brushing and loving.

[Hercules Momma]

Oh Faye,
I bet he'll love that! My cat, Babe always loves to be brushed! It amazes me sometimes how much fur will come out! I usually have enough for another kitten!:LOL:

[islandbabies]

Congratulations Faye! :clap: :blob: I'm sure Montgomery is going to be happy with his new living conditions! ANd I love his name, I hope you get your camera figured out soon, I'd love to see pictures of this little guy! :wub: :w00t:

[LuKi]

You are such a great person to take Montgomery in like that! Kudos to you. :clap: He has just started a life after 5 years that will change his world entirely! He will be happy and healthy thank to you!!! Congratulations!!

[Romans Mom]

How's Montgomery now that a few more days have past? How are your girls doing with him? :D

[Sandy Balto]

Hi Faye hows the kitty doing? After all the talking i was doing on another post how im scared of rats and mice, well darn if i didnt have a mousce in my house and the cat got it and dropped it at my husbands feet he was yelling come see this I told him i didnt want to see it get it out of here.lol I was telling my daughter about it she lives across the street from me and told me the same night her cat caught a mousce and had it in the bed with her and it was still alive said she started screming and woke everybody up. I never had mice in here before , but they are doing work on the street here tearing everything up so i hope this is not going to become a problem. :(

[islandbabies]

Eeeeeek! Mice! That sucks that you're having mice troubles because of the construction they're doing around your area. It gets like that here when the ditch gets cut, no where to run, so they come here! Wrong move, SNAP! :pinch: Yay for the kittie catching that mouse, we have a kitty that roams the neighborhood and he catches mice too. :clap:

[2Chiwawa]

Well thanks for asking for an update on Montgomery.

The vet called me at work yesterday. He said Montgomery had elevated kidney levels and told me to bring him in for a urinology. I dropped him off at the vet on my way to work this morning kind of worrying I got myself into an expensive problem taking this guy in. But he is so sweet and deserves more than he has gotten out of life so far. I decided to stick this episode out and just take care of him if it is only hundreds of dollars and not thousands. So far he is worth it.

I am hopeful because Montgomery has a good appetite, he is drinking normally and using the box normally. He is not drinking or peeing too much and is hungry. He is skinny but otherwise he seems fine to me. I'm hoping this will all turn out for the best.

The vet said I should call for results Monday and I could take Monty home tonight. I picked him up and he was glad to get back home. He ate, drank and used the box. He seems fine. He is now in his favorite spot on top of the refridgerator. He seemed more at home and the girls barked at him less than they had yesterday. I also saw him grooming C.J.

So far I have learned a valuable lesson... There is no such thing as a free cat. :lol: