Which Pets do you have or prefer?

[Skinhead-1979]

I am a Cat person; I've always aspired to become the 'Crazy Cat Man'. Living alone with many Cats, +/- 10.

The Landlord told me I was not allowed to have Pets in First or Second Floor Flats (2nd and 3rd floor in the US); so I went looking for other suitable pets.

For me it's a 'Must' that pets can be cuddled and love the attention.

I settled on Ferrets. They are a little bit like 'Miniature Dogs and Cats', and can be trained.

I've done a lot of reading about them to prepare myself for when I eventually would adopt 2; Ferrets are highly social and should always be adopted at least in a pair. They are very active when they are awake, and us humans are not always able to give them the exercise they need.

Last year, 11th of August, I've adopted my 2 Fur Babies; brother and sister.

My 'Sprite' (she's been spayed) has been named : Ska

My 'Hoblet' (He's been Castrated) has been named: Oi

(Ska and Oi! are 2 Skinhead music styles)

Mine are completely free all day when I am awake (They are in their cage when I am asleep); and I take them out for walks on a lead outside. They are on a full Raw Meat Diet (80%,10%, 10% mince meats), which doesn't cost a lot, £30 a month... and have Rats, Pinkies and Day-old-Chick as treats. They absolutely love Salmon Oil.

Ferret Kits are very difficult to handle though... It's the main reason why Ferrets Kits are being given up for adoption so much. They are very bity, and a bit manic when it comes down to scratching... so they are not suitable pets for everyone. You need to make your living space completely Ferret Proof; they'll try to get into everything they shouldn't, they are very determined and smart.

Mine are very friendly, but they are Ferrets and nipping can always happen. I do warn people as a precaution.

My 2 Babies. Left one is my little Princess Ska; Right one is my pretty Boy Oi

[Anonymous]

Since I grew up in a house with a garden, I raised sheep and chickens in the past.

[Skinhead-1979]

I love as good as any animal (I am not too keen on certain dog breeds; the 'Vanity' Dog Breeds).

Would I ever have the space for it, and can keep 'farm animals', I would love to have Pigs and Cows are cool too.

[Pterodon]

I have a bullsnake

[Skinhead-1979]

Cool... I do find Snakes, Reptiles in general, really intriguing; it's just that they cannot really show affection. I know there are some 'exceptions' with Alligators (Wally the Alligator), but that's it.

There are 2 guys in town who walk around with their Python/ Boa hanging, sort of, down from their neck.

[Pterodon]

I got him as a hatchling and I’ve managed to keep him alive for 15 years

[Skinhead-1979]

How long do they on average live?

That's something which important to me; because I get seriously attached to an animal, I prefer species which live a good number of years. Ferrets, on average, live between the 8-10 years.

[Pterodon]

They can average 20 with good care. I guess I’m doing something right

[Skinhead-1979]

Are they expensive to look after? Or is it just the initial purchases?

I assume you feed them Rats? I buy those for my Ferrets but they can be rather pricy, £4.50 for 1 rat, $5.80.

[Pterodon]

It’s the initial purchase. His caging , lights, timers, heating and all isn’t cheap to do it right. The daily maintenance isn’t so bad. Of all the reptiles (some) snakes are the easiest. They don’t require special UVB lighting and once mature only eat about once every ten days and they eat the same thing not a variety

[Skinhead-1979]

Cool, cool... Maybe some day when I have more room. I have a tiny flat and have removed furniture to make room for my Ferrets (I don't invite people over anyway, so I have removed all seating).

It was the same with my Ferrets, the initial purchases were expensive; I think I had spent £1000 before I even had them: Toys, Cage, Tunnels, Cat climbing frames, etc.

I've paid £50 for 2 Ferrets... Food costs me about £30 a month; and then puppy pads for only £12 (They can be trained to go on Puppy Pads or in Cat Trays).

They eat about 80 gr of raw meat a day... which isn't a lot.

I can leave mine out of their cage when I go out... even if I am gone for hours; my flat is Ferret proof so I don't worry about them doing naughty stuff; it's just when I go to bed that they will go in their cage. They can be nippy (They are still young) and scratch sometimes which makes noise... but they are not destructive.

[Pterodon]

If you get a snake just remember the cage must be two thirds the length of the snake long so a six foot snake needs a four foot cage

[Skinhead-1979]

Of course, they do need enough space.

Would I ever get to the point that I'd be ready to adopt one, I'll make sure I'll read up a lot about the snake species I would want to have. I'll probably do the same as when I was about to adopt the Ferret and join groups on Facebook so I can ask for advise.

Do you always keep your snake in the terrarium... or do you let it (Is it male or female?) roam freely. I can imagine that if you place is safe, you can give a snake free-roaming time... or would that be a bad idea?

[Pterodon]

No mine is caged. There are people that let them roam freely and the majority of the almost always ends up around the refrigerator where it’s warm. It might take them awhile to find it but once they do. . .

[Skinhead-1979]

Yes, I know what you mean; that's why I said after you have made your living space safe.

It's the same with my Ferrets, they do not need a lot of space to get through; I think an inch is enough for them to squeeze through. So I have had to ensure that any possible hole, or item they could get behind, has been blocked up. I've got a wooden plank stuck between the fridge and the wall, so they cannot get behind it.

When I take my babies down to see my neighbour, they are often hiding behind her fridge or cooker (it's easy to reach, but of course I'd rather not have them getting there) because her cats likes to chance them. I am not worried about the cat, he is intrigued but stays friendly.

[HelpfulWoman]

now that i've had them, snake, crested gecko and a dog.

[Skinhead-1979]

Snakes are cool... It just that they don't know what affection is

Would I have a much bigger place than I do now, it is something I could consider.

There are people in my town who walk around with massive Pythons and Boas; same as Bearded Dragons on a lead.

I've grown up with Dogs, and I do love certain dog breeds (I don't like the 'Vanity' Dog breeds)... but I am not always capable of going on the walks they need a few times throughout the day. Dogs are also way more expensive; while my 'income' (disability Benefits) isn't bad, it'll take a much bigger chunk of it than Cats, or in my case, Ferrets do.