Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Other pets

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-23-2017, 03:41 AM   #1
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

It all started with the DIY hamster cage plans.But then,it couldn't just stay that way when I would have usable leftover materials!That then turned into a seemingly harmless plan to make at least some form of DIY guinea pig cage,which didn't seem like much.Of course,me being the person I am it couldn't just stop there

Eventually,there was a trip to a store.It was seemingly harmless yet again,just pricing some wire storage cubes for something that surely would not happen.Somewhere along the line I ended up getting "forced" to buy said grids(though I'll still need a second pack),which will turn into a DIY rabbit cage.The downside to one pack is there probably won't be enough for a fully enclosed cage,and then with two packs I'll most likely end up with leftover grids.Yet again,another excuse for an extra pet but this time I'm trying hard not to let it come to life as I already apparently will be having a zoo,and that's not even mentioning the next fuzzbutt to come!

Most importantly and also the cause of so many headaches and utmost confusion,there will be ferrets.I've always wanted ferrets but it never seemed quite right until now,and as long as I move with a spare room there is pretty much nothing other than time holding me back!Of course,if there won't be a spare room it won't happen because it just wouldn't be fair to the prey animals that would be living in my bedroom.

As much as I want to add rats,lots of aquatic life(I can't even make a list of that without it being far too long,including lots of creatures that would disturb many!),and definitely some birds too it probably would never be possible with just one room and all the pets that already need to take up the space.However,if it can be done in an ethical manner I might eventually consider changing that

So overall,as of late I've just been killing my own brain and trying to figure out how to make anything work.The end result will be worth it though,even with all the stress!
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 04:46 AM   #2
Drago
The Hamtologist
 
Drago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

Wow you certainly seem in a predicament! But a good one nonetheless ferrets are such awesome little creatures. If I could stand their smell, I'd definitely get one
Drago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 05:25 AM   #3
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

They're very different!I'd have to say they're even more expensive in terms of ongoing care than something like a large parrot,which may sound absolutely insane.It's all to do with the food though,since even high quality parrot food will be much cheaper than something you could safely feed a ferret.It takes a strong stomach too due to their dietary needs,at the very least!

Once you get past the whole diet problem though they're wonderful little killers,despite the adorable and seemingly innocent face

As for smell,that depends on what the ferret in question is fed.Of course,any ferret will have a musky smell as that is just generally the scent they produce,but an extremely good diet does help.Of course,ferrets being fed on poor quality foods(the majority of ferret specific foods,with a few exceptions that could work in a pinch)are going to have more odor for various reasons.
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 05:49 AM   #4
Drago
The Hamtologist
 
Drago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

That's a very good point you make. Diet is very important and often overlooked in many species and it's quite a shame ferrets are so cute, but like you've said, they can be little hunters and I'd worry about my little hams and gerbils becoming a snack for them! You mention a rabbit too, and I must say, they are such lovely little pets. My bun definitely keeps me good company!
Drago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 06:08 AM   #5
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

Even in dog and cat sections there are some disturbing products Luckily there's been a lot more growth lately,with some grocery stores even starting to at least try and get in some better foods(I've even seen raw!).

I'm definitely looking forward to the rabbit and guinea pigs just as much as the ferret.I know going to have my hands full,between making things for all the pets(including some sewing projects for the guinea pigs and possibly the rabbit)and all the cage building
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 06:22 AM   #6
Cinnamon Bear
Banned
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: United States
Posts: 4,407
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

What about a hedgehog? They seem like they would make a good pet. Although I hear can be afflicted with health problems. Supposed to live 5-6 years?
Cinnamon Bear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2017, 06:42 AM   #7
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

They don't require quite as much space as a ferret(generally 4 square feet as a minimum),but do require special heating.About the same nutrition requirements too,just different levels of fat that are required(much easier to find appropriate levels for).They do have shorter lives though,when I last checked the average is around 3 years.Of course,diet and general care is going to impact that,but in general they're not the most long living pets.As much as I love hedgehogs,I'd rather at least wait and see how I can fit in the mentioned pets first
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2017, 12:56 AM   #8
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

Perhaps more chaos in kitten form?It would have to be a female kitten,with an older cat not really being the best option.I'm mostly leaning towards a Siamese,but I would also love either a Bombay or some sort of munchkin(as I've had both in the past,and they're both wonderful,along with my current Bombay mix).I'd have to figure out an extremely good breeder first,but other than that it should be very easy

I wouldn't mind another dog either,but with the current cats and the future ferret a kitten does make more sense in terms of being able to provide the most variety of high quality foods without spending a ton extra.Of course,if I end up feeding my current dog the variety of foods I'd want for another dog it would be a fairly good option even though I'd probably stick to smaller breeds(pomeranians in particular,even though I'm generally more of a big dog person).
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2017, 02:45 AM   #9
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

Lol! All I can suggest is - work with what you have got and make another enclosure and then see what it might be suitable for? It's great to be all enthusiastic and very creative But I find sometimes you end up, as you say, getting too much confusion and chaos and then either finding you've bitten off more than you can chew, or you then need to buy even more materials to get it right.

Sorry that probably isn't much help. Because I guess you need to know what pet is in mind to know how to build it.

I'd suggest just taking deep breaths and one step at a time, and one pet at a time, so you have enough personal reserves to give each one the attention needed, especially in the first few weeks

Ferret enclosure sounds overwhelming to me. Rats are better with cages. Guinea pig enclosure sounds good The grids could be used to make a playpen? Kitten sounds good if you can keep your hammy and guinea pig in a separate room the cat can't get in.

So I would go with - existing hammy, guinea pig enclosure. Keep the grids for some sort of playpen. Burmese kitten. A friend of mine had Burmese and they're almost like dogs they are so clever and interactive. Cats can look after themselves quite well. Guinea pigs and hamsters need a lot of human attention. So maybe start there and see how it goes Rome wasn't built in a day .....

Ultimately it sounds like you need a pet rescue or pet shop!
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2017, 03:35 AM   #10
AmityvilleHams
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 4,545
Default Re: Future Pets(Or the chaos I somehow got myself into)

If the grids weren't wire I could definitely use them for a playpen!Maybe a guinea pig playpen?I didn't think of that but it could be extremely useful,or if I did still go with a second pack the excess could go towards a guinea pig playpen rather than a hedgehog cage!

Ferrets in general can be overwhelming.The cage I have in mind would be wonderful for rats too though,but in terms of what will be easiest to provide the best food for I'd have to say ferrets would be easiest.They'd be more expensive,but I'd at least be able to avoid having to order internationally to get the best(Science Selective for rats in terms of a base pellet,then extra seeds and such for the necessary variety)and while I could kind of make due with rats on Oxbow for example it just isn't something I want to do nor do I feel comfortable providing anything less than the best!

I think what was overwhelming me most was figuring out what to feed the ferret and trying to figure out the best place to find good options,since feeding a homemade raw food is kind of impossible as my parents will not allow that.Of course,it probably didn't help that I mentioned you can feed them frozen thawed mice/rats!

The prey animals always stay separate from the predators,especially considering the ancestors of cats for example would(depending on subspecies)be natural predators of hamsters!

You do have a good point though when it comes to the first few weeks I don't think I'd want to be dealing with taming several animals(or getting some used to me)all at once,so that is in consideration.

The Burmese does sound like a good option!More of a normal sized cat I suppose,much more normal than the ones I have which weigh around 20 pounds(about 9kg)each with the smaller ones I've had weighing around 5 pounds(less than 3kg,and those would be munchkins/munchkin mixes).

So far it has been much easier overall though,especially after figuring out a better source to find more options for food I still need to give myself a while to really determine as many options as possible though,which shouldn't be too difficult.
AmityvilleHams is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
make, diy, room, spare, end, time, leftover, seemingly, harmless, happen, holding, backof, course, if, prey, bedroom, add, chaos, animals, living, fair, wanted, ferrets, hamster, ferrets.ive, headaches

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:24 PM.