Pet alternative to Cats

Lambda · Post by **Lambda** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:59 pm

Yodel wrote:They are cute, but are they good to hold and/or handle?

ummm, depends if you touch the quills

Yodel · Post by **Yodel** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:00 am

Which isn't hard, seeing as they only cover 80-90% of its body.

[IA]Paul · Post by **[IA]Paul** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 4:40 am

Try picking them up from the bottom or putting your hand on the front then sweeping back with the effect of flattening the quills.

Dr.Cox · Post by **Dr.Cox** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:31 am

Yodel wrote:I was hoping to get something big, like a mammal, and something that doesn't necessarily need to be kept in a cage.

Large desert tortoise's are pretty awesome.

They have neat personality's and act like a dog or cat. Unfortunately some of the bigger ones need a space to live. Basically a 20x20 patch of land in cased in concrete like six feet down in the ground. The buggers dig.

Life span is about 60-70 years.

And they range from around 25 pounds but can grow up to 200!

turk645 · Post by **turk645** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 7:52 am

Russian Tortoise- The have a decent life span and dont get super huge. Even though it has a cage my sister frequently lets it run around the house.

CptnNsan0 · Post by **CptnNsan0** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:18 am

ferrets are awesome. seriously they're great.

flea925 · Post by **flea925** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:25 am

I was about to say that. -_-
buy a beagle or sumthin
unless you want a corgi

[GU]boxersh0rtz · Post by **[GU]boxersh0rtz** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:28 am

I have a bearded dragon yes they need big cages and some of the gear is expensive to keep them but there AWESOME! i spent over $250 on mine. it love it. i think i will get another and bread them because babies are like $100. a good pet. get them while there young. cheaper. plus they get used to you.

Aumaan Anubis · Post by **Aumaan Anubis** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 10:31 am

CptnNsan0 wrote:ferrets are awesome.

The answer has been found.

Yodel · Post by **Yodel** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:07 pm

Sorry, no ferrets. I once had a Ferret -- no more than a few years ago. I loved him, he was adorable, smart, and energetic. Then he got distemper and died.

No ferrets.

EDIT:

What about Siberian Cats? I heard that they are very hypoallergenic, but keep in mind that my brother has just about the worst reaction to cats that you can get. He contracts asthmatic-like symptoms, and even hives.

bcnipod · Post by **bcnipod** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:12 pm

a dog?

Yodel · Post by **Yodel** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:14 pm

NO DOGS

Jeebus, how many times must I say this?

flea925 · Post by **flea925** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:18 pm

get a bunny wabbit.
unless hes allergic to those too.

DeadHamster · Post by **DeadHamster** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:24 pm

Well if you can't get a cat maybe try a dog.

JK

But yeah, bunny sounds cool.

Or a flea circus! Those are always great fun, right up until they get loose.

HPDarkness · Post by **HPDarkness** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:36 pm

Domesticate a abandoned baby squirrel, they are really fun pets. I had a pet squirrel, I was young and my parents made me let him go when he was a year old =[ He was really fun I got him a little leash, and used to walk him ^_^

Or you can get a Chinchilla.

CptnNsan0 · Post by **CptnNsan0** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:42 pm

your really picky man. there aren't a lot of pets out there that are independent.

I suggest you reconsider the ferret though. just because it happened before doesnt mean it will again.

Yodel · Post by **Yodel** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:42 pm

DeadHamster wrote:Well if you can't get a cat maybe try a dog.

JK

But yeah, bunny sounds cool.

Or a flea circus! Those are always great fun, right up until they get loose.

You, Sir, are a master of comedy... [/sarcasm]

Anyway, does anyone know the level of cat dander (the Fel-Dh1 allergen) required to set off an allergic reaction? I know that the average cat produces about 63,000 micrograms of Fel-Dh1, while a Siberian Cat produces only 200 micrograms.

CptnNsan0 wrote:your really picky man. there aren't a lot of pets out there that are independent.

I suggest you reconsider the ferret though. just because it happened before doesnt mean it will again.

Hey, it's not like I'm choosing a flavor of ice cream. This is going to last a long time, and be my friend and companion. I'm not going to get just anything that has a pulse.

Dr.Cox · Post by **Dr.Cox** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:55 pm

Actually Yodel, you should go with your pig Idea. They are helllla cute =]

Pigs are really really smart. They can be trained to do just about anything, they aren't disgusting slobs... those are the ones that get slaughtered....

Pot belly info.

http://www.potbellypigofmyheart.com/rig ... or_you.htm

Yodel · Post by **Yodel** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:00 pm

I've read up on it, and I'm discouraged. They seem to be just as much work, if not more, than a dog. They require a lot of attention (or they'll become destructive), they are very fussy, and they tend to turn over everything in a house, due to a base instinct to dig for roots and tubers.

JK-47 · Post by **JK-47** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:11 pm

A dog really would be the way to go. They do require potty training when you first buy one, and you have to teach it a few other things as well, but at least you can teach a dog. Other animals within the boundaries of common house pets really can't be taught. Dogs really do fend for themselves most of the time, though. Just remember to feed it and let it outside every so often and you're good. You can also do more things with dogs as well; like take them for walks, on trips, play with them, etc. Cats just sit on their ass and be little ass holes. Hamsters just really stay in their cage all the time, etc.
The dog GTAF linked to is fucking awesome. I would love to have a dog like that.