Pet for son?

trixychic

Hi guys.

I was on here a good while ago askig about snakes for my son. He is 8 yrs old, has Aspergers and really seems to have a connection with animals.

He has started horse riding, we pet sit a dog for a friend and he loves cuddling the local cat. All around, animals just seem to bring him a level of calmness and peace that humans can't.

Now we are renting so something like a dog or cat is out. He adores snakes but i personally think it's not... interactive enough for him. He needs something he can cuddle and play with I think.

Now hubby is dead set against hamsters (the smell) but i quite like micro squirrels, sugar gliders or even geckos. I think something he can teach a trick or 2 to.

Again I am aware that while it's his pet, I am the one who will be taking on the cleaning, caring, feeding and vetinary needs of this creature. I'm not gonna just hand it to him and say "it's your responsibility" and leave them at it. I am willing to put in the work if it helps him.

Would love to hear your ideas. Thanks.

Silverfish

What about mice or rats?

Very interactive, can be taught tricks, very affectionate.

If you get females, there's no smell, apart from pee but if you clean them out regularly they don't smell.

Sugar gliders and micro squirrels require a bit more specialist care, I wouldn't advise them as beginner pets to be honest.

Flibble

Hamsters don't smell once you clean their cage out every few days. I've got one in my kitchen, and there's definitely no smell.

But hamsters aren't really suitable for kids, they can be very fast moving and delicate and they're not really a 'cuddly' pet.

I think rats would be perfect, especially if he wants to teach them tricks, but guinea pigs might also suit your requirements.

Knine

Having kept most of the small furries at some stage and I also happen to have a child with complex needs I would suggest a pair of Guinea Pigs.

They need to be kept in pairs, two females being ideal. When tame they enjoy cuddles and are very interactive compared to hamsters, rats etc. They have an endearing whistle when they are hungry or hear their food bag being opened.

You need a large indoor cage for them. Their diet consists of Vitamin C enriched pellets, hay and lots of fresh veggies/fruit.

They really are lovely cute little creatures.

Choc Chip

Everything Knine said. Guinea pigs are relatively sturdy (compared to other small furries) so generally tolerate gentle handling by kids. They're also far less likely to bite than other small furries.

I did a small stint of veterinary medicine at uni (before bailing out to do something that kept me rather more dry and rather less bitten/peed on) and hamsters are notorious biters (sorry hamster owners, I know there are some lovely ones out there). Rats are the favoured pet of veterinary students in my experience - smart, cute, ideal for apartments and (sadly) with a lifespan that matches college. But guinea pigs, guinea pigs are what everyone wants to get in the surgery. As long as they're handled gently and with respect, they tend to be angelic patients. Love them.

I wouldn't have the first clue about micro squirrels, sugar gliders or geckos!

trixychic

Looks like 2 little guinea pigs may be the way forward. Thanks guys.

Knine

I actually got a Facebook PM today about a brand new Litter of Baby Piggies. They are in the Dublin area and will be looking for a good home for them in a few weeks. Let me know if that would suit you.

trixychic

I went into our pet shop today and saw teddy guinea pigs. Me and my youngest have fallen in love with them but my older aspie is sticking to his guns with a gecko. So I might be picking up both. 2 piggies and 1 gecko.... just need to do lots and lots of research now before we go ahead.

Thanks kinnie for the offer but id say it'll be summer before we go ahead with a purchase. I dont want to just rush in. I need to read up about them all and source the best foods and vets etc before we buy. Thanks though.

VonVix

trixychic wrote: »

I went into our pet shop today and saw teddy guinea pigs. Me and my youngest have fallen in love with them but my older aspie is sticking to his guns with a gecko. So I might be picking up both. 2 piggies and 1 gecko.... just need to do lots and lots of research now before we go ahead.

Thanks kinnie for the offer but id say it'll be summer before we go ahead with a purchase. I dont want to just rush in. I need to read up about them all and source the best foods and vets etc before we buy. Thanks though.

You need to be mindful of where you source these pets as well, average chain pet shops tend to be on the "avoid where possible" side of things when it comes to getting small animals. Just thought I'd mention.

I'm sure some of the Boardsies here can recommend good places/people to find well cared for Guinea Pigs and Geckos.

shaunr68

I'd be wary of something too small and fragile being hurt by a young child. I remember intervening after catching my little b***tard nephews playing with their hamster, running it along the carpet while squealing "brum brum" like they were playing with a tonka toy. Poor bloody thing was petrified. Please be careful, for the animal's welfare.

trixychic

shaunr68 wrote: »

I'd be wary of something too small and fragile being hurt by a young child. I remember intervening after catching my little b***tard nephews playing with their hamster, running it along the carpet while squealing "brum brum" like they were playing with a tonka toy. Poor bloody thing was petrified. Please be careful, for the animal's welfare.

I am very wary of kids with animals. The animals welfare will be very high on my list. No way will I allow any funny business or unsupervised interaction until I know they can handle it.

Thank you though. Always good to know other people are in the same mind as me when it comes to animal health.

trixychic

VonVix wrote: »

You need to be mindful of where you source these pets as well, average chain pet shops tend to be on the "avoid where possible" side of things when it comes to getting small animals. Just thought I'd mention.

I'm sure some of the Boardsies here can recommend good places/people to find well cared for Guinea Pigs and Geckos.

That's a good point. The local pet shop guy normally deals in exotic animals himself. He isn't a chain pet shop, it's his own business but i might find out where he gets them from. Thanks

Knine

You should easily be able to get two Guinea Pigs from The Irish Rabbit and Guinea Pig group on Facebook. Lots of Reputable Breeders there who will sex them correctly. Petshops are not the best place to get them.

We have a pair of girls and they are lovely pets.

volchitsa

Another vote for guinea pigs here, we got two brothers when my son's friend's guinea pigs turned out to be a lady and a man guinea pig, the only sign being when the babies came along. But they were great, very easy to handle and we had them for over five years, maybe more, I forget now.

They do need to be kept warm and dry, but when the weather is nice and the grass is dry (you need a spell of hot weather first TBH) you can even set up little safe areas for them to be outside. They have to be well protected from cats, dogs and even birds, so basically a temporary caged area outside, but they loved the fresh juicy grass. Someone told me about rolly cages so they can roll around and be your little lawnmowers but I'm not sure how easy those would be to source.

shootermcgee

Rabbits

Doctors room ghost

Couple of quail.you can keep them indoors and you can eat the eggs.plus they are dirt cheap.nice little birds and you can handle them like a pet

Knine

shootermcgee wrote: »

Rabbits

Not near as sweet as Guinea Pigs and don't enjoy handling as much. Rabbits can be quite fond of using their teeth, in particular females getting broody. I have had some great rabbits but also some absolute nightmares.

Silverfish

Knine wrote: »

Not near as sweet as Guinea Pigs and don't enjoy handling as much. Rabbits can be quite fond of using their teeth, in particular females getting broody. I have had some great rabbits but also some absolute nightmares.

Agreed, I have rabbits and they'd flitter you if you came at them the wrong way. They also have to be neutered, and that's very expensive for the females. They're also prone to a lot of illnesses.

Pigs seem a lot more robust.

Choc Chip

I swear this story is true.

When i was a kid we had a path that ran from the garage to the house, lined with shrubs. We also had a few rabbits, including a Dutch doe with a vicious streak. The rest of our rabbits were great, but this one HATED people.

In her younger, livelier, years, whenever she was let out to have a hop around the garden she would disappear and hide in the bushes... and wait. When someone inevitably came out the back door she'd leap out and attack their ankles, then race off into the bushes again, waiting for her next victim.

Sniper bunny. She conducted her own reign of terror for a good few years before all the leaping and running became too much effort for her and she retired to her hutch and her hay.

zoe 3619

Rats are highly intellegent and make great pets.Or a ferret-very interactive and loads of fun,but probably easier if neutered.

trixychic

Choc Chip wrote: »

I swear this story is true.

When i was a kid we had a path that ran from the garage to the house, lined with shrubs. We also had a few rabbits, including a Dutch doe with a vicious streak. The rest of our rabbits were great, but this one HATED people.

In her younger, livelier, years, whenever she was let out to have a hop around the garden she would disappear and hide in the bushes... and wait. When someone inevitably came out the back door she'd leap out and attack their ankles, then race off into the bushes again, waiting for her next victim.

Sniper bunny. She conducted her own reign of terror for a good few years before all the leaping and running became too much effort for her and she retired to her hutch and her hay.

Oh my God that's hilarious!!!!

We had a rooster who terrorised us in a similar way. Now this is gonna sound awful...

As kids we put each other in these big barrels and pushed each ther down the field. When the grass was really long it made path ways we'd play hide and seek in.

Well one day this rooster escaped and chased me through the full effing field of paths. Every time I looked behide me he would be coming round the corner. It was like something from a horror movie. I was terrified!!!

To this day I still can't go near roosters. I'm so scared of them.

trixychic

zoe 3619 wrote: »

Rats are highly intellegent and make great pets.Or a ferret-very interactive and loads of fun,but probably easier if neutered.

Ha there is no way in high heaven or hell himself would let me bring a rodent into the house. Even though guineas are technically rodents he doesn't see them that way ha.

HONKEY TONK

Have you thought of investing in an Aquarium?

Like a proper aquarium.

Knine

HONKEY TONK wrote: »

Have you thought of investing in an Aquarium?

Like a proper aquarium.

I have one of these too. My daughter loves it. I have both Tropical and Coldwater.

Himself might love one of these

volchitsa

Sniper bunnies and serial killer roosters, I'm in stitches here!
My aunt used to have geese, I was terrified of them, they're far fiercer than dogs IMO, or thats my memory of them anyway.

VonVix

I think OP is feeling well informed that roosters and bunnies aren't the best choice for them. :P

Silverfish

I've an attack rabbit, she's feisty as hell, she growls and lunges at you, and will either bite or scrabble at you with her nails. She has a heart condition (seriously) and she has to have medication twice a day, so I'm going in to work with my hands and arms bleeding from bites and scrapes

The rest of the time she's sweet as pie looking for cuddles and pets, but at 8am and 8pm... murderbun.

Definitely recommend guinea pigs, what damage can a little sentient baked potato do?

shaunr68

Choc Chip wrote: »

I swear this story is true.

When i was a kid we had a path that ran from the garage to the house, lined with shrubs. We also had a few rabbits, including a Dutch doe with a vicious streak. The rest of our rabbits were great, but this one HATED people.

In her younger, livelier, years, whenever she was let out to have a hop around the garden she would disappear and hide in the bushes... and wait. When someone inevitably came out the back door she'd leap out and attack their ankles, then race off into the bushes again, waiting for her next victim.

Sniper bunny. She conducted her own reign of terror for a good few years before all the leaping and running became too much effort for her and she retired to her hutch and her hay.

Brilliant, reminded me of this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcxKIJTb3Hg

Silverfish

All rabbits are General Woundwort deep down, they're just waiting for you to give them a reason

Knine

Silverfish wrote: »

Definitely recommend guinea pigs, what damage can a little sentient baked potato do?

Those Baked Potato's sure know how to Stuff themselves with grub.

Our Rabbit had lustful thoughts towards our cat. The poor cat had to hide in the tree to get away from him.

HONKEY TONK

I had a rabbit when i was a kid.

He nearly killed me.

Was allowed to run around the house. In the living room, he would go behind the TV cabinet a lot. Little did I know he was chewing on the power cord for the TV.

So one day i reached behind the cabinet to get him out only to grab onto the chewed up power cord. My brain got fried that day as I couldn't let go of the cord only for my dad to save my ass

trixychic

It's official... I will NEVER have a bunny. Oh my God they look so sweet and cuddly!!!

My boys have had fish. Not a proper aquarium but they both have a sensory seeking disorder and need to touch and rub... the poor fish had hands in at them the whole time. I had to put them up out of the way. It wasn't fair on them. They lasted 3 years though. But defo not going to get them again.

Thanks for all the advice and giggles guys.

the_syco

volchitsa wrote: »

Someone told me about rolly cages so they can roll around and be your little lawnmowers but I'm not sure how easy those would be to source.

Look at cages for hens; similar thing. Google "outdoor poultry enclosures".

Example; http://oldmcdonald.ie/poultry/chicken-coops-hen-houses/small-animal-run.html


Some of the larger runs will have wheels on them, and "houses" in them that allow the animals to take shelter should it rain.

volchitsa

the_syco wrote: »

Look at cages for hens; similar thing. Google "outdoor poultry enclosures".

Example; http://oldmcdonald.ie/poultry/chicken-coops-hen-houses/small-animal-run.html


Some of the larger runs will have wheels on them, and "houses" in them that allow the animals to take shelter should it rain.

Yes that must be them I think, when we had the piggies (both now sadly deceased) we used to just fix up a system with the top half of the cage because it was originally just a way of cleaning tne bottom half out, but I always thought if I happened to come across that sort of thing I would get it.

Just for the OP, though I'm sure they will know this if they do get piggies, but since it was me who brought in this idea of putting them on the grass, you do have to be careful in Ireland not to let them get cold if they're outside. Their natural habitat is warm shady undergrowth in South America, so while they're robust in terms of handling, they're quite vulnerable to our cool damp weather.

I only ever put them out when it it was nice enough for the kids to wash and clean the cage outside in warm weather anyway. But if you have a decent spell during the summer they can be out every day for a few hours as long as you cover a bit of the cage so they can move out of the sun as well. A weighted down newspaper will do that job. My kids loved taking them out. Like taking a dog for walk except it doesnt have to be done every day!

Choc Chip

Silverfish wrote: »

Definitely recommend guinea pigs, what damage can a little sentient baked potato do?

I will now forever think of guinea pigs as "sentient baked potatoes". I've really enjoyed this thread!

Ave Sodalis

Choc Chip wrote:

I swear this story is true.

I believe it!

I had a lovely, adorable lop earred rabbit as a child. It was incredibly cute and fluffy, and it was got along with a guinea pig after I was upset my last guinea died. The rabbit was the devil and we ended up giving it away because I was too afraid of it to look after it.
Now to put this into perspective, my grandfather used to train guard dogs. He would go into pounds and take out the GSDs with a biting history, and give them a second chance. So you could say my mother grew up around some vicious animals as the dogs were in the house a lot (a lot of the dogs weren't that bad given a knowledgable home, being honest).
The worst injury my mother has ever received from an animal was from this cute, doe eyed bunny. She went to lift him up off the floor to put it back in the run for the night as normal, and it completely tore up her hands! It was entirely out of it blue and for no reason. It wasn't like the run was tiny, it was three stories and ran the length of them wooden garden sheds, so the thing wasn't being picked up to be shoved into a tiny cage. His dinner was waiting and all. He was just a prick.

Never really went near them after that so Mum gave the two of them away.

Knine

As mentioned above, Guinea Pigs should only be outside in good weather. Do not get them thinking they can live out. No matter what people tell you. They do not do well in Irish Winters. Ours are indoor pets. Do not keep them with Rabbits. They are a totally different species.

Also you mentioned the Sensory Seeking. My daughter does this too but you must be very strict. Guninea Pigs do enjoy being cuddled but like any small pet a child would have to be very gentle. I do not allow my daughter to carry them around in case she lets one fall. Her older teenage sister is in charge of their care.

If you imagine a Baked Potato bouncing up and down and whistling with happiness, that is your Guinea Pigs.

volchitsa

Knine wrote: »

As mentioned above, Guinea Pigs should only be outside in good weather. Do not get them thinking they can live out. No matter what people tell you. They do not do well in Irish Winters. Ours are indoor pets. Do not keep them with Rabbits. They are a totally different species.

Also you mentioned the Sensory Seeking. My daughter does this too but you must be very strict. Guninea Pigs do enjoy being cuddled but like any small pet a child would have to be very gentle. I do not allow my daughter to carry them around in case she lets one fall. Her older teenage sister is in charge of their care.

If you imagine a Baked Potato bouncing up and down and whistling with happiness, that is your Guinea Pigs.

It never even occurred to me that someone might think they could live outside!
Keeping them inside isn't really a problem though, necause they aren't nocturnal like a lot of rodents, my son used to want to keeptheir cage in his bedroom and they never kept him up at night like hamsters do.

It wasnt great for other reasons, so that wasnt a long term solution (the cage did smell a little if he didnt clean it out every day, and bits of the bedding from the cage tended to end up on the floor around ittoo) but it's just to point out that their sleeping habits make them good pets as well.

Knine

My daughter keeps them in her bedroom. Yep we do have some shavings on the floor but it pales in comparision to the typical teenagers bedroom. When you can see the floor, that is lol.

We have a very large cage and they only get whiffy if overdue a clean out. We have to keep them in the bedroom to prevent them becoming Terrier snacks.

volchitsa

Knine wrote: »

My daughter keeps them in her bedroom. Yep we do have some shavings on the floor but it pales in comparision to the typical teenagers bedroom. When you can see the floor, that is lol.

We have a very large cage and they only get whiffy if overdue a clean out. We have to keep them in the bedroom to prevent them becoming Terrier snacks.

I may well be misremembering the time before it got smelly. He certainly didnt give a full clean out every day, but I do know we used to remove the smelliest bits of the bedding fairly often (maybe every few days rather than every day) and then added some fresh bedding on top so that a big clean out wasnt needed so often, but their little feet stayed nice and dry!

Agree that you want as big a cage as possible, as they are actually big. When they went on their holidays to granny, who kept them in a big rabbit hutch outside in summer (it was really warm and protected) we noticed that they actually stood up higher on their little legs. So we got them a bigger cage after that.

trixychic

God I wouldn't have even considered keeping them outside. I was talking to the man and apparently you can get little harnesses for them when they are big enough and bring them for walks around the grass. The idea is so cute!!!

I'll defo keep my eye out for a decent side outdoor shelter for the Summer months. Thanks guys.

Knine

In fairness lol. Most Guinea Pigs hate those things.

volchitsa

Yeah we tried leashes it didn't really work for us.
Guinea pigs are timid (prey) creatures, maybe that's why they like to scuttle around. Which isn't great when you're trying to walk them!

They need to feel safe, so a decent size enclosed area with a roof is better for them. I imagined a bigger version of hamster wheels would be perfect, one per piggie, but I'm not sure if they exist.

trixychic

Dam. I had visions of myself walking 2 cuties around my garden. Ha. Roofed hutch it is!! I'm excited to get them now. Where could I get a decent sized hitch for inside??

Also can they get too hot?? The place I.have planned for them would have one end of the hutch beside a radiator??

Knine

trixychic wrote: »

Dam. I had visions of myself walking 2 cuties around my garden. Ha. Roofed hutch it is!! I'm excited to get them now. Where could I get a decent sized hitch for inside??

Also can they get too hot?? The place I.have planned for them would have one end of the hutch beside a radiator??

Have a look on Zooplus. A cage is better for indoors. It will soak up urine unlike wood. The bigger the better. Don't have the cage on ground level but up a bit higher as they prefer that.

They need a constant supply of hay and Vitamin C enriched pellets. Unlike Rabbits they also need plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Human Grade. The eat an awful lot.

murphf

Knine wrote: »

Have a look on Zooplus. A cage is better for indoors. It will soak up urine unlike wood. The bigger the better. Don't have the cage on ground level but up a bit higher as they prefer that.

They need a constant supply of hay and Vitamin C enriched pellets. Unlike Rabbits they also need plenty of fresh fruit and veg. Human Grade. The eat an awful lot.

And what goes in must come out we do small animal boarding and bavcs a number of different kinds of pets ourselves so we see all sorts my daughter did have a rabbit when she was very small but she was a lovely one. I’m of the opinion they can make great kids pets but it very much depends on their temperament .. we breed lionheads, mini rex and mini lops .. and the mini lops are so lovely for kids , they really love a cuddle and are very gentle and actually let you place them down rather than jumping out of your arms .. but a lot sold in pet shops as ‘mini lops” are usually some kind of mix so no guarantee. I do think piggies make better first pets for kids , they ‘chat’ so much which makes them nice company and they do enjoy a cuddle.
There are a few groups on Facebook alright and I can recommend a breeder we have had pigs from a few times and they are super healthy . Pm me if you want more info.. not sure what I’m allowed to post.. also there is a vet in Palmerstown if you are in Dublin who is super small furry savvy, we take our own their and any boarders who might need vet care. Enjoy your planning , it is very exciting and I’m sure your little man will love his new pets!

trixychic

murphf wrote: »

And what goes in must come out we do small animal boarding and bavcs a number of different kinds of pets ourselves so we see all sorts my daughter did have a rabbit when she was very small but she was a lovely one. I’m of the opinion they can make great kids pets but it very much depends on their temperament .. we breed lionheads, mini rex and mini lops .. and the mini lops are so lovely for kids , they really love a cuddle and are very gentle and actually let you place them down rather than jumping out of your arms .. but a lot sold in pet shops as ‘mini lops” are usually some kind of mix so no guarantee. I do think piggies make better first pets for kids , they ‘chat’ so much which makes them nice company and they do enjoy a cuddle.
There are a few groups on Facebook alright and I can recommend a breeder we have had pigs from a few times and they are super healthy . Pm me if you want more info.. not sure what I’m allowed to post.. also there is a vet in Palmerstown if you are in Dublin who is super small furry savvy, we take our own their and any boarders who might need vet care. Enjoy your planning , it is very exciting and I’m sure your little man will love his new pets!

I'm in Carlow so trying to source a vet more local. Thanks though.

trixychic

Guys would a basic guinea cage be ok for 2 teddy guineas??? I'm worried about it now.

Knine

trixychic wrote: »

Guys would a basic guinea cage be ok for 2 teddy guineas??? I'm worried about it now.

Have you the size? Some of the cages are very small

trixychic

Knine wrote: »

Have you the size? Some of the cages are very small

No not yet. I was just looking at that zooplus site and I see the different types. I think the starter kit id be getting is the basic plastic base cage. But as I've always said the animals welfare IS very important to me. I don't want to get something that's not going to be suitable long term.

Sandor Clegane

Have a look at this site, its where I bought mine for my two guinea pigs.

http://candcguineapigcages.co.uk/standard-cages/