Aethroz==Pets==
There are a lot of pets to choose from in the word, and I want you to choose the pet that is right for you. I have owned almost all of the “common” house-pets. I currently have 4 dogs, 2 snakes, 2 crested geckos and 2 leopard geckos. I have also had a parrot, doves, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, and chipmunks. I have not dabbled in the “exotic” pets-unless you count reptiles as exotic. I’ll rank the pets Low, Medium, or High in 5 different categories. Species are listed in no particular order.As there are many different dog breeds, all the “Dog” sections will be averages.
--Dogs--
Large Breed (indoors)
Large Breed (indoors)
Companionship: Med-High
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med
Maintenance-Care: Med
Upkeep Cost: Med
Life-Span: Med 9-13 years
Indoor Large Breed Dogs are one of my personal favorite pets. They tend to be kind, nurturing animals with lots of love for everybody. Perfect for a Family Pet. The companionship is ranked Med-High because they are loving pets, but it is hard to cuddle with a big dog while you’re watching TV. The cleaning includes vacuuming or sweeping, as big dogs=big hair. If you live in an apartment complex or something similar, you may be required to pick up after your dog outside (eww). The care of the dog is Med, not Low, because Dogs are very affected by their owner’s feelings. Angry human=Angry dog, but happy human=happy dog . Bathing dogs is also necessary and can become unpleasant. (Bathing Dogs Guide for your convenience.) Exercising dogs is 100% a must. Get your dog spayed/neutered.
Ideal Breed (Family)-German Shepard or Husky
Ideal Breed (Single or Couple) - Husky or Dalmatian
--Dogs--
Large Breed (outdoors)
Large Breed (outdoors)
Companionship: Low-Med
Maintenance-Cleaning: Low
Maintenance-Care: Low
Upkeep Cost: Low-Med
Life-Span: Med
I don’t believe dogs should be kept exclusively outdoors. Dogs are companion animals and need to be loved, not left outside. However, outside dogs are easier to maintain as they don’t shed in the house, and they don’t need to be bathed as often, as you aren’t forced to smell them. Get your dog spayed/neutered.
Ideal Breed-Any Short Hair
--Dogs--
Small Breed
Small Breed
Companionship: High
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med-High
Maintenance-Care: Med-High
Upkeep Cost: Med
Life-Span: High 15-17 years
Small Breed dogs will only be listed as Indoors.
Small Breed dogs are the best companions. They love to cuddle, play, and spend time with you. However, most small breed dogs are what I consider “fancy”. They require more brushing, baths, and more trips to the groomers. PROTIP: The difference between hair and fur is that Hair is always growing and increasing in length. Fur only grows to a certain length. Dogs with Hair have a much higher upkeep cost than dogs with fur. With Small breeds, the cost of food tends to be lower because they eat less (duh), but they need more grooming, so the costs average out. Small breeds tend to live longer (15-17 years). Get your dog spayed/neutered.
--Cats--
Companionship: Low-Med
Maintenance-Cleaning: High
Maintenance-Care: High
Upkeep Cost: Med
Life-Span: High 12-14 years
I have had a few cats in my life. They are nice to have around, chasing lasers, scaring mice, shooting rainbows and flying across the galaxy, all the typical cat stuff. But they don’t like to cuddle. Cats shed everywhere. Not just on the floor like dogs. Cats shed on everything. Plus you have to clean up their nasty (mega eww). Giving cats a bath is as bad as trying to give a cat a bath. Most cat breeds have a long life and can be very loyal pets, guarding your house from rodents and other pesky animals. Get your cat spayed/neutered.
--Guinea Pig/Hamster--
Companionship: Med
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med-Low
Maintenance-Care: Low
Upkeep Cost: Low-Med
Life-Span: Low 2-4 years
Good pets for adolescent children. Teaches them the life cycle and responsibility. Most of the cost comes from the bedding, as food is pretty cheap. The bedding must be changed very often or it will begin to stahnk. Not stink. Stahnk. Nasty smell. They are mini cuddle buddies, but must be handled often so they don’t bite or run away when you hold them.
--“Common” Birds--
Dove, Pigeon
Dove, Pigeon
Companionship: Med
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med-Low
Maintenance-Care: Low
Upkeep Cost: Low-Med
Life-Span: Med-High 5-25
Very similar to Hamsters, most of the cost comes from the replacing of bedding, but also treats. Birds love treats especially Millet Seed. Birds can become better companions, following you around or perching on/around you. Sadly, it is hard to cuddle a bird.
--Pet Birds--
Parrot, Canaries
Parrot, Canaries
Companionship: High to Med-High
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med-Low
Maintenance-Care: Med
Upkeep Cost: Med
Life-Span: High-Extreme 10-95
Typically, Larger the bird-Longer the life. Kakapo Parrots (common pet) are known to live for the extent of their owner’s life. They are smarter than the average bird, and form very tight very lasting bonds, though usually with only one or two people. They can be as loyal as dogs, but with a much larger vocabulary. Still hard to cuddle.
--Fish--
Companionship: Low
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med-High
Maintenance-Care: Low
Upkeep Cost: Med-High
Life-Span: Low-Med
I think fish are more decoration than Pet. You can’t cuddle fish. Or even touch on most occasions. Cleaning supplies are expensive. Tank decorations are expensive. If you must have a pet but have no time and don’t need physical contact, or any acknowledgement, get a fish.
--Snakes--
Companionship: Med-High
Maintenance-Cleaning: Med
Maintenance-Care: Med
Upkeep Cost: Low-Med
Life-Span: Med-High 9-20 Years
Snakes are not slimy. They are smooth and warm and actually love to cuddle . The two most common breed of Pet snakes are Ball Python, and Corn Snake. Ball Pythons tend to be shorter(3-4 ft) but fatter. Corn Snakes are longer (6 ft) but remain pretty thin. All snakes(and all pets for that matter) require daily-semi daily handling. Maintenance is keeping them moist, and making sure their habitat fits their needs. Snakes love to cuddle. They will find a warm spot(belly, armpit, elbow) and curl up until they are toasty warm, and then they will explore as much as you let them. I recommend feeding your pet snake frozen mice/rats. They are cheaper, and will maintain the pets docility.
Notice on Frozen Mice/Rats, by BrettCarrie
Click to reveal
Just to point out that you should always defrost the rat/mouse before you feed it to the snake (although you still freeze them for storage). I know the OP probably already knows this, but didn't specify and I don't want any prospective snake owners to make their snake reject the food.
Another point, when you thaw it you shouldn't ever try to thaw it in boiling water. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight then warm it up gently in a bowl of warm water and lift it out using a pair of tweezers or tongs.
Another point, when you thaw it you shouldn't ever try to thaw it in boiling water. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight then warm it up gently in a bowl of warm water and lift it out using a pair of tweezers or tongs.
Most of all, pets require love. That may sound cliché and you may have just groaned in your head, but they do. Right now, go throw the ball for your dog, talk with your bird, and cuddle with your snake, because they will only love you as much as you love them.
Damn that is long. (1059 words if you were wondering)
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Just to point out that you should always defrost the rat/mouse before you feed it to the snake (although you still freeze them for storage). I know the OP probably already knows this, but didn't specify and I don't want any prospective snake owners to make their snake reject the food.
Another point, when you thaw it you shouldn't ever try to thaw it in boiling water. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight then warm it up gently in a bowl of warm water and lift it out using a pair of tweezers.
Yet again, I suspect that the OP knows this, just clarifying it for those that didn't.
Another point, when you thaw it you shouldn't ever try to thaw it in boiling water. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight then warm it up gently in a bowl of warm water and lift it out using a pair of tweezers.
Yet again, I suspect that the OP knows this, just clarifying it for those that didn't.
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Now I want a pet snake! They sound like so much fun. I don't know if I'd be allowed to keep frozen rodents in the freezer though XD.
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Snakes are awesome! They come in a "Ziploc" bag, and they don't give off an odor, otherwise I wouldn't keep them in my freezer either
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Ever had a shiba inu? I'm thinking of getting one , if you have, what do you think of them?
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Great dogs. They are more prone to Hip Displaysia and allergies(yes dogs can be allergic to stuff too) than most dogs, but it shouldn't turn you away from the breed. They are cute
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You missed a wide range of dog variety in there. There's not just small / large, and you should not choose a particular breed based on the information you've provided. Each circumstance is different and there's a wide array of breeds to suit almost anyone.
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Obviously there are more than Large/Small breeds, but this is a small(sorta) guide, I can't write a section for every single breed of dog. would take hours to read(well I might, but not now). This is just so people know general information, and generally, dogs can be broken down to 2 categories. Large or Small. The same argument "not just small/large" could be made for almost every animal listed. I just did most common, with general breakdowns.
I gave example breeds that are known and proven to excel in that situation. When getting a pet, one should always research every breed.
I gave example breeds that are known and proven to excel in that situation. When getting a pet, one should always research every breed.
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Cats live longer than "12-14 years"
In fact the average cat's life span is 17-20 years.
In fact the average cat's life span is 17-20 years.
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Average Life span of a Male, Domesticated Cat is 12-14 years.
I may increase it to 12-15, but definitely not 20. "May on occasion live to 20". I am going for averages here, not the Highest.
I may increase it to 12-15, but definitely not 20. "May on occasion live to 20". I am going for averages here, not the Highest.
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Nice post, very interesting, makes me want a snake. :3
One thing I will say, a lot of cats have a lot more companionship than you give them credit for: I own two and they both love to cuddle with me and one absolutely requires tummy rubs and cuddling up. They don't shed, and if they do it's only a little fur, no big deal. Also, they lick themselves, which is why you don't need to bath them. They clean themselves.
One thing I will say, a lot of cats have a lot more companionship than you give them credit for: I own two and they both love to cuddle with me and one absolutely requires tummy rubs and cuddling up. They don't shed, and if they do it's only a little fur, no big deal. Also, they lick themselves, which is why you don't need to bath them. They clean themselves.
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I had a family cat, and my own personal cat, and the occasional cuddle happened, but it was fleeting and rare. Most cat breeds shed. The hair is much finer than dog hair, so it doesn't seem to accumulate as fast, but they do shed. The licking can cause them to need a bath. There is a special substance in the saliva of cats, it keeps them shiny and works as an antibacterial, but if the cat has bad breath, then he is putting nasty smell all over himself. Fun Fact: Most people who are allergic to "cats" are allergic to the cat's saliva.
