Small Pets

[Catrin]

I am considering eventually getting a small pet. I REALLY want a cat..but my allergies are just too bad. I've always been allergic, but it seemed like my allergies were able to eventually adjust to having a cat around. That worked until about 10 years ago. I've tried twice,using all of the allergy meds and other methods, and had to re-home the cat both times. That broke my heart and I won't try again.

I am not totally sold on the idea of a small pet but I want to explore the idea. If I do this it wouldn't be until later in the year after my finances have recovered and I can afford the responsibility. I won't have a dog in a small apartment without a yard. I know many do, and that is fine, but I won't.

I know I do not want a rabbit, I've been around house rabbits. I am not fond of ferrets either, they do have an odor problem and it is quite difficult to "ferret-protect" the apartment for them. If I do this, I want something that can interact with me (which leaves out fish) and reptiles leave me cold...bad pun I also do a lot of camping in the summer, and it would be best if they could travel with me so they wouldn't be alone so much.

I am wondering about guinea pigs and hamsters...I understand they can interact. As prey animals, I do wonder if they would tolerate traveling most weekends - in their cage of course. Then again, would the presence of something like that in my tent draw unwanted guests to my tent at night or during the day when I am gone?

So, for those of you who have/had piggies and hamsters, would this be a bad idea?

[Veronica]

Personally I'd reconsider the dog idea. When we had a dog, she only went in our yard for her "business" first thing in the morning and when I got home from work. And of course she went out, if we went out. She just didn't like being out there by herself. Her exercise came from two long walks every day. I think the right breed could do well in an apartment.

I've never had small mammals, so can't help you there.

Veronica

[Biciclista]

how about a rat? they are smarter and more loveable than hamsters and guinea pigs (although I think guinea pigs are adorable, they are more like dumb little goats) reeet reeet reeeet!

[goldfinch]

Rats are friendly but I have trouble getting past their hairless tails!

My preference would be a bird just because we used to have a budgie that was our buddy. My sister had a very friendly and loving cockatiel with a big vocabulary. Get one that is very young and hand fed, not a big box pet store bird. Handle it frequently. Depending on what you get you can teach it to talk, to do tricks. They are very social and will want to interact with you. My bird loved to have its head scratched. Be sure to read about specific birds before you get them, some have a pretty loud noise level and some are extremely long lived.

[Sky King]

Rat over hamster or guinea pig if you want to interact. Yes the tails are ugly but they actually do have personality (relatively speaking) However, they to have issues, have to clean the cage - OFTEN, they can also get mites and one of ours died of pneumonia .. Hamsters are night creatures so sleep all day. Me, I like Beta fish, pretty, no mess and can be left for alone for long weekends

[OakLeaf]

I haven't had small pets since I was a kid, but I definitely would not leave an animal alone in a tent.

In our area I wouldn't worry about predators so much as simple heat. Raccoons and coyotes aren't likely to bother a tent in the daytime when you're not there, predatory birds and snakes wouldn't be able to get into a tightly zipped space. But it gets very hot inside a tent in the summer.

[Blueberry]

But it gets very hot inside a tent in the summer.

This. Plus - think of it from the pet perspective. You likely wouldn't take said animal out of its cage while camping (risk of running away - this could cause problems with cage cleaning), so you're taking it out of its comfortable environment, petrifying it, baking it, and keeping it locked up.

Of course, with a dog you would have to plan as well (petsitter, etc).

[Veronica]

Dogs can go to some campgrounds though and leashed on some trails - depending upon where you are.

I can't imagine any other critter I would want to take tent camping. If it can't be out on the trails with me, why do I have it there, out of its comforts zone?

Veronica

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, are there feeders/waterers that can be used with small animals that hold enough to get them through a long weekend? If so, I would suggest that that's a far better option than taking the animal camping with you. For times that you'll be gone longer, you will hopefully be able to either leave the animal with someone else or have someone visit the animal as needed.