Small Pets

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Birds are particularly sensitive to temperature/sun/drafts/humidity changes. I don't think birds should be taken camping. Actually, I'd be leery about taking any animal camping if you are going off hiking and leaving the animal unattended in a campsite. There are some weird people out there- is it really fair to leave an animal vulnerable to unknown strangers passing by?
So then if not a dog, and not leaving it unguarded in a tent, what animal could you actually take hiking up a mountain with you...bumping around in your pocket or backpack for hours?

I sympathize with your yearning for a pet, but taking pets tent camping is perhaps not safe or fair to them. We should consider the quality of life we can offer to the animal as well as our own needs.
I'd suggest getting the kind of pet that doesn't mind being left alone for a week or two (maybe leave a soft radio on for a warm blooded pet). I used to get a lot of fun and satisfaction from various small creatures as pets- mice, turtles, hamsters, snakes, rabbits, tarantulas (don't laugh, they are fascinating!), fish, finches, crayfish, toads, praying mantids, etc etc.
Even a Venus flytrap plant can be an interesting kind of 'pet'. All these creatures will 'interact' with you, maybe not always on an emotional level.

[jessmarimba]

We had a parakeet when I was a teen (he was my brother's pet) that lived for quite awhile and was almost never in the cage, til we got a cat. Kiwi would sit on the piano while we practiced, sit on the end of a pencil if I was doing homework (he was much heavier than you'd expect!) and sit in my mom's hair and pull out her bobby pins.

Mom has a cockatoo now that is much more obnoxious than I think you'd want (it's like having the loudest "terrible twos" toddler you can imagine) but you may want to consider a cockatiel. Much cheaper than the larger parrot class of birds, won't live to be 50, but a little more interactive than a budgie.

[Catrin]

Birds are particularly sensitive to temperature/sun/drafts/humidity changes. I don't think birds should be taken camping. Actually, I'd be leery about taking any animal camping if you are going off hiking and leaving the animal unattended in a campsite. .....

I gave up the idea of taking a pet camping due to the heat of the tent, etc. I am actually normally only gone two days at a time, and don't think it would be a problem to have a friend check on a couple of birds for me That being said, I am going to visit a local rescue that has every kind of animal imaginable to see what I think. I can research all I want, but actually spending some time with different animals mean a lot. I am leaning strongly in the bird direction, but whatever I do wind up getting won't be a quick process.

[malkin]

Birds can go at least a weekend on their own. Our three budgies do fine, and last weekend (Fri AM to Mon. evening) didn't even notice the spray millet I left them. Their current hobby is a stale bagel.

If you end up with birds, train them to drink from a water bottle with a tube. Way easier to keep clean than a poopie dish!

Also Vision cages are the best!

[Catrin]

Thanks Malikin, that is good to know!

There is a local rescue with several love birds they've had for awhile, they are beautiful! I am not in a rush though, and I want to set aside a little "pet fund" before I set about deciding who, and what, to give a forever home. I have never been a believer in taking on a pet quickly.

Also, thanks for the cage recommendation, they look nice and aren't all that expensive! I've thought about getting birds before, but always had a cat around so always set it aside.