What would be the best pet for an appartment?

A gecko. Unless you have issues with feeding it live bugs.

Get a rat! They’re absolutely wonderful pets. Trainable, loving and love to solve puzzles and climb on whatever you put in their cage.

How about a pet rock? They make great apartment pets. Although, they can be a bit messy at times.

Birds, fishes, hamsters . . . it all depends on your fancy, your tolerance to pain . . . and chores

How about another lovely kitty AND a better Vet.

There are so many of them in the shelters with so much love to give (on their terms of course) :) and they are about as low maintenance as they come.

Seriously, post a craigs list ad asking for recos and find yourself a decent vet.

There’s just nothing that beats a fuzzy little furry-purry snuggled up with you on a cold winter’s night.

Birds are surprisingly personable. Even a parakeet, if it’s hand-raised, will be people-centric. I had one that would fly to me when I called his name. I had a parrot, too, who would climb down from his cage and nestle in my lap while I read or watched TV.

Not for neat-freaks, though. Feathers everywhere.

Budgies or cockatiels are nice little birds…

got to agree with @Buttonstc a new kitty to go along with a new vet (probably something to consider regardless of what pet you get). If you want fuzzy but are set against a cat, you could try a rabbit (though I think they tend to smell), small snakes or lizards can be nice (though i’ve heard some pet shops pawn off sick or diseased one’s so be careful). lol, in college one of my roommates had a hissing roach, not my “ideal” pet but hey, it’s an option and people certainly noticed it when they came by.

Have you considered chinchillas? They don’t shed but have a lot of dog-like social attributes.

In my experience small birds don’t bond with humans, and large birds require a big cage and can make a big mess.

I agree that rats are good pets. Few vet bills, too. And they’re so portable!

Velociraptor

@6rant6 I had a budgie who was very much bonded to me; but then, I spent a great deal of time with her.

I agree with @Buttonstc – go for a new kitty and a new vet. And I agree with @jaytkay I have a cockatiel that is intelligent, funny, personable and loving. He’s entertaining too! My first was a female that was very loving and sometimes needy. Once she passed I got another, and it turned out to be male. He talks and whistles a lot. I would get one young enough that you can’t tell the sex so that it gets used to you faster.

I’ve always wanted to have a ferret. Cat like, but will play more. Only down sides are they chew a lot and can catch human colds and such.

The apartment manager here. : Just get a goldfish or a Beta fish. it ill cost you the least in the long run. Even aquariums cause damage.

3 Options: 1.) Fish (10 gallon suggested); Just know that it will require cleaning of the tank and adjusting of the water, and daily feeding needed. 2.) Hamster- Know that they are nocturnal and need to be given time to run around in the round-about-ball, and daily cleaning & prep. of water and food. 3.) Guinea Pig- They are socialable and lovable. Please, do your homework first, before getting one. They can be skiddish and scared when first presented to you. They have to get to know you. Make sure that you find one that does not bite out of fear (same goes for hamster). Guinea Pig’s are also communicative. If you are a home-body, then a Guinea Pig is the anwswer. If you like to go out alot, then revert to fish, just remember to clean the tank each month. Good Luck! PS: Always do your homework on the animal that you are most interested-in before purchasing, so that you have an idea as to what will be needed for your new pet.

hamsters

Forgot to mention: Fresh water fish, for salt water is more expensive and pricey, and you’ll need a larger tank.

I can offer some suggestions, but whatever animal you get should depend on your unique circumstances. So I’ll outline some steps to follow that will help you decide for yourself.

Step 1: Check out your local animal shelters and rescue agencies to see what kinds of pets are available to you. I strongly encourage you not to support the commercial pet industry by buying from a breeder or store. If you do want to buy from a breeder or store, at least do some sleuthing to figure the bad ones from the good. Don’t get your heart set on a pygmy hamster if the only pygmy hamster breeder in your area isn’t reputable! (Not only would you then be supporting the ill-treatment of animals, but your chance of buying an unhealthy animal greatly increases.)

Step 2: Check out what kind of vet support and pet supplies are available to you. Don’t get your heart set on a budgie if the only aviary vet is two towns over! Note that just because a vet will see an animal doesn’t mean s/he should. Most vets have no experience or training with any animals other than cats or dogs, but they might take your money anyway and could kill your pet due to ignorance. Websites abound with advice on how to find an appropriate vet for all kinds of pets.

Step 3: Research how to care for the pets you’re considering. Every animal has unique needs and you don’t want to find out after you’ve brought one home that you aren’t willing/able to provide for those needs. “Problem” animals are often problems exactly because they aren’t being properly cared for. Don’t assume you naturally know how to care for any animal or that your “love” will be enough.

As for what kind of pet to get, you basically have three kinds of choices, and they each take up different amounts of space. (My suggestions are in bold.)

- Animals in an aquarium/cage that never leave the habitat: fish, most frogs, most turtles, newts, lizards, some snakes, hamsters, mice, some birds

- Animals that lives in a cage/aquarium but need some outside time with you: most birds, rats, degus, chinchillas

- Animal that lives in a crate/corral/specially-proofed room that need some outside time with you: rabbits, guinea pigs

Step 4: Once you’ve settled on an animal, prepare for it 100% before bringing it home. Set up its habitat (including appropriate toys and furniture), stock up with supplies (including a suitable first aid kit), and buy pet insurance. If pet insurance isn’t available (often it isn’t for exotics—that’s the word for non-cats/dogs), build up a savings fund of at least $1,000/pet and plan a budget where you contribute a certain amount of dollars every month. You don’t ever want to deny your pet necessary medical care, or skip an annual appointment or buy the cheaper (unhealthy) food, just because you don’t have enough money. (Presumably you don’t want to go into debt, either!)

birds. guinea pig, rabbit, rats, mice. I personally couldn’t live without being able to have a dog. My SO and I have a wonderful beagle :-)

@Judi I disagree with your goldfish recommendation. They require masses of space in and of themselves, and ought to live in communities so that’s even more space. The urban myth is if you keep a goldfish in a bowl it just won’t grow big—yeah that’s because their growth is stunted and this is why goldfish die so often. Really they have 10+ years lifespan, or should anyway. They also create more waste than other fish, requiring more water-changes. They are not a good beginner pet at all nor are they a good small-space pet.

I wouldn’t go with a bird because the more personable ones are quite loud. And the smaller ones although adorable are not personable, they are more “cute”. If that is what you want then they are good pets. I love birds.

I also wouldn’t go with a rat. Not because I hate rats, lol, as you might think. I’ve had them as pets and just find them disgusting for lack of a better word. I’m sorry, that is horrible to say but I do not think they make good pets.

Personally I would go for a medium sized aquarium only because it requires enough work to keep you busy and also it is quite serene to watch. Or I would recommend an animal like a gerbil (small enough you don’t get the smell associate with larger animals like ferrets and guinea pigs) or something like a frog or turtle.

The best recommendation though is to go to a reputable pet store (not one in the mall) and look around. Ask lots of questions and get recommendations from the store owners. Then research on the internet pros and cons of that animal. Once done then make your decision.

@nicobanks ; I’ll buy that. Then the best suggestion is a virtual pet. Unless you are willing to spend hours a day with your pets they really don’t belong in apartments. We had to replace all the trim in an apartment because of a bird who chewed it all up (Can you imagine what the rest of the apartment looked like?)
Rodents will chew up the carpets as will cats and dogs. Snakes get out and scare the neighbors. (You should have seen the huge snake that got out and wrapped itself in the back of a stove before it electrocuted itself!)
I HAVE seen the worst of the worst though. I really don’t like pets in apartments.

@Judi /sigh What terrible stories. I think the problem isn’t so much the small spaces, but the lack of care. Obviously none of us are infallible and accidents happen, but there’s no good reason for snakes getting out and carpets and baseboards getting chewed up! These are all very preventable, and clear signs that the animals weren’t being properly tended. :(

yourself.

Get a really awesome fish tank. Fishes aren’t warm and affectionate but I read once that a fish tank can help create a serene enviroment. I had one once. Never got tired of looking at it and watching the fish swim around. Plus every once in a while I got to buy some interesting breeds of fish.

@jeffgoldblumsprivatefacilities wouldn’t that make @tyrantxseries a stoner?

I would also give another cat a try unless the memory of your last kitty is still to painful. Birds are loud and messy. Of course, that is just my opinion.

I have heard that rats are great pets, though I am not sure I could bear to have one. I would love to have a rabbit and have heard they can be litter trained. A hamster would be a good choice.

A peeve.

It seems like everybody has a pet peeve no matter where they hang their hat.

A big spider.

get a bunny. all you need is the proper cage…they’re awesome pets…and fun to cuddle…and don’t bite…at least none i ever had did.

@sparkytheoutlaw “All you need is the proper cage” I think that is terrible advice. A cage isn’t really appropriate for a rabbit anyway, but even if it was, certainly more is needed than just the cage.

Please, to anyone considering getting a bunny or any pet: research the animal and fully prepare for it beforehand!!!

I agree with nicobanks regarding educating ones self before actually getting any pet for that matter. As a child, I had many pets that I cared for: ducks, chickens, pigs, pigeons, dogs, cats, rabbits, fishes… and No, I didn’t live on a farm. ... and Yes, they were pets: they got fed, washed, petted, cuddled as appropriate, had names, etc.. Back in the days, before the stupid township counselors got together and started enacting stupid township laws, you can have a goat or a pony in your backyard and not get harrassed by so-called animal-rights activists or township code enforcers..

anyway, going back on track. . . . learning about an animal as a pet first and foremost will likely provide a better experience for anyone considering caring for them.

And to everyone who thinks that a fish tank is a lot of work, what with all the water cleaning being mentioned…. I say, if you have the correct equipment, you shouldn’t be replacing your water every month. My tank gets drained ⅓ of the way like every 6–8 months, depending on the green water condition caused by algae…. personally, I think dogs and cats require more attention than my kids. Imagine, having to tend to their bathroom needs several times a day, feeding and cleaning-up, not to mention grroming. and for what…. the ruckus that they create when left alone…

Bottomline is, No matter what animal you decide on, you must take responsibility for its well being without sacrificing your own.

@nicobanks sorry if you think that…I had 2 bunnies growing up, and we had them in very roomy special built cages…I guess I don’t understand how this advice is bad…I didn’t mean for anyone to go running out to grab a rabbit…anyone with common sense would understand that I thought. and its kind of a “duh” that you need more than a cage

As a kid, someone gave my family a rabbit for Christmas one year. My grandfather built a nice wooden hutch for it which was kept in the back yard. We weren’t allowed to take it out of the cage for fear it would escape. So It got fed and ignored. In Iowa. During the Winter.

My daughter raised rabbits for 4-h. She learned how to care for them from other people in the group. For instance, she knew (as we had not known) that bunnies get sores on their feet it you just put wire on the bottom of the cage without any firm place to stand. So she put scraps of wood in their cages. And because she raised lots of them, they were never alone – at least there was always someone living next door. She sometimes brought one of them into the house, to hang with us. They seemed happy, and we enjoyed the company.

I don’t know whether my childhood bunny was better off or worse off being with us than he would have been otherwise. But I know very well that my daughter’s were better off. I can’t imagine having a “pet” these days that didn’t live indoors and somewhat free to roam. Wouldn’t mind moving some of them out of the BED but what are you going to do?