101 replies to this topic

[Emma&Chester]

*Sigh....* I think about... $210 dollars a year, not including the first year when you need to get the pet and the cage and the toys and the first time stuff.
I do want to take it out sometimes... well, maybe not too cheap... just not as expensive as a dog...

Is that including putting money away for vet bills or no?

Rats are eliminated if that's your budget inc vet bills - they can get sick super easily and will need to see a vet at some point in their life. Hopefully someone that lives in the US and owns pigs can weigh in as to if they think that's enough (prices differ here). I do feed my pigs more veggies than most people, but that wouldn't feed my pigs for a year, which puts into perspective how costly they can be.

Taking it out "sometimes" with a pig won't cut it either - you need to spot clean daily, and let them out. They get bored too, you know. They're not just a pet that you take out whenever it suits you, that's not an optional thing with an animal like a guinea pig.

Edited by Emma&Chester, 01 February 2015 - 08:08 AM.

[autumn21]

LOL!!!

 

My sister's friend has a parakeet named Eliot... he comes out over once a day, knows how to say hello, and sits on her desk well she does her homeworks. if a bird, somethin like that would be nice.

 

I don't understand how hermit crabs are funny? Anyways,

Personally, I say no to you getting a bird. Although they may seem amusing, they are generally high maintenance and costly. Plus, if you were thinking of getting one, you do need to research at least for months. Took me ages to decide with Charles.  Look for something else such as a gerbil (which I've heard can be active in the day?), as such. 

 

EDIT: With animals, 'sometimes' is never enough. Say, you get a bird, you need to be dedicated. They need the right diet, make sure their health is in check, the right environment (large cage), the right stimulation and need to be let out every day. I homeschool, so I'm able to spend all day with Charles, meaning he's a happy bird.

Edited by WildestRose, 01 February 2015 - 08:10 AM.

[gone lol]

Is that including putting money away for vet bills or no?

Rats are eliminated if that's your budget inc vet bills - they can get sick super easily and will need to see a vet at some point in their life. Hopefully someone that lives in the US and owns pigs can weigh in as to if they think that's enough (prices differ here). I do feed my pigs more veggies than most people, but that wouldn't feed my pigs for a year, which puts into perspective how costly they can be.

Taking it out "sometimes" with a pig won't cut it either - you need to spot clean daily, and let them out. They get bored too, you know. They're not just a pet that you take out whenever it suits you, that's not an optional thing with an animal like a guinea pig.

OK.... the cats go to the vet twice a year....

[KKM]

I'm going to have to agree with E&C here- guinea pigs in the US cost much more than $210 annually. When I had a pig (he was aggressive towards other pigs) I spent at least $400 on him alone each year.

[gone lol]

I don't understand how hermit crabs are funny? Anyways,

Personally, I say no to you getting a bird. Although they may seem amusing, they are generally high maintenance and costly. Plus, if you were thinking of getting one, you do need to research at least for months. Took me ages to decide with Charles.  Look for something else such as a gerbil (which I've heard can be active in the day?), as such. 

We probs won't get it until June, just need to get the INFO!!!!!!! for reaserch... gerbils are good ideas. My sister refuses to get anything but a dog or guinea pig though.... this is a problem.

[autumn21]

We probs won't get it until June, just need to get the INFO!!!!!!! for reaserch... gerbils are good ideas. My sister refuses to get anything but a dog or guinea pig though.... this is a problem.

 

Well, your sister also needs to understand that Guinea Pigs and Dogs alike are a huge commitment and a lot of money (so are birds). You're going to have to convince her for another animal in this case, to be honest. Gerbils sound interesting in this case, though to be honest, only get any animal when your whole family is accepting and you can certainly pay for their wellbeing (both physical and mental).

[gone lol]

We probs won't get it until June, just need to get the INFO!!!!!!! for reaserch... gerbils are good ideas. My sister refuses to get anything but a dog or guinea pig though.... this is a problem.

I do really want GERBILS (they are said to live longer with other gerbils) though! I could move Nick (who keeps me up all night) to the white room (guest room/storage room) and have gerbils in my room... and I would only need to buy the same foods, since I buy Hamster & gerbil mixes for food. Hooray!!

Well, your sister also needs to understand that Guinea Pigs and Dogs alike are a huge commitment and a lot of money (so are birds). You're going to have to convince her for another animal in this case, to be honest. Gerbils sound interesting in this case, though to be honest, only get any animal when your whole family is accepting and you can certainly pay for their wellbeing (both physical and mental).

We were texting each other in a 1 hour car ride today. We didn't feel like talking. I was fighting with her about pets. She was like "No lizards, no mice, no rats!!! ONLY GUINEA PIGS AND DOGS!!!!!" so yeah... gonna need to convince her for that one.

[KKM]

I do really want GERBILS (they are said to live longer with other gerbils) though! I could move Nick (who keeps me up all night) to the white room (guest room/storage room) and have gerbils in my room... and I would only need to buy the same foods, since I buy Hamster & gerbil mixes for food. Hooray!!

Despite many foods being labeled for both hamsters and gerbils, they have very, very different dietary needs and will require different foods. Gerbils need much less protein and more fiber than hamsters.

[Emma&Chester]

We probs won't get it until June, just need to get the INFO!!!!!!! for reaserch... gerbils are good ideas. My sister refuses to get anything but a dog or guinea pig though.... this is a problem.

You don't seem to have the funds for either, so she'll have to realise thats not a possibility. Again, you can't have one guinea pig - they're social animals, two isn't optional - it's a *must*.

Gerbils are apparently active during the day and night, HOWEVER, they're not usually active for long periods during the day. I have a Duprasi, he's active during the day, but it's not exactly common for other gerbils (like mongolians) to be like that. It's usually dusk - though don't expect them to be waiting for you at 3pm when you come home from school.

Also - gerbils can be active at night too. So yes, they can actually keep you up.

Edited by Emma&Chester, 01 February 2015 - 08:17 AM.

[~Forrest]

H

[gone lol]

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

[Butterfinger05]

You don't seem to have the funds for either, so she'll have to realise thats not a possibility. Again, you can't have one guinea pig - they're social animals, two isn't optional - it's a *must*.

Gerbils are apparently active during the day and night, HOWEVER, they're not usually active for long periods during the day. I have a Duprasi, he's active during the day, but it's not exactly common for other gerbils (like mongolians) to be like that. It's usually dusk - though don't expect them to be waiting for you at 3pm when you come home from school.

Also - gerbils can be active at night too. So yes, they can actually keep you up.

As a gerbil owner, I can tell you this is so true!

Butter Finger is ONLY up at night. Vanilla wakes up during the day, but she's MOST active at night. Her wheel is incredibly noise. 

[gone lol]

As a gerbil owner, I can tell you this is so true!

Butter Finger is ONLY up at night. Vanilla wakes up during the day, but she's MOST active at night. Her wheel is incredibly noise. 

We're talking about hamsters here... not gerbils...

[Kaibrooke]

My two guinea pigs cost around $45 dollars per month, so they're out of your price range (and you cannot just get one, they will become lonely and depressed). They also need to be let out of their cage often, which has to be at least 10.5 sq. FEET.

 

We're talking about hamsters here... not gerbils...

This is in the 'Other Animals and Pets' section. The discussion is about pets other than hamsters.

[Butterfinger05]

We're talking about hamsters here... not gerbils...

I was talking about this, "Gerbils are apparently active during the day and night, HOWEVER, they're not usually active for long periods during the day. I have a Duprasi, he's active during the day, but it's not exactly common for other gerbils (like mongolians) to be like that. It's usually dusk - though don't expect them to be waiting for you at 3pm when you come home from school.

Also - gerbils can be active at night too. So yes, they can actually keep you up." I was just agreeing with it.