kinda need help....

[polishferret]

okay well i really want a pet and not one that will sit in its cage all day and live only for like 2 years llike a hamster would....im having a hard time deciding between a ferret or a sugar glider... :confused: .....im a student in middle school so i couldnt really stay up too late with neither but would definitely have time for out of the cage playtime....what are the negatives and positives of both? cost wise too? :rolleyes:
thanks!!!!! :p

[Reilly122602]

With a ferret you have: that hyper, destructive type. Fairly simple diet. Decently easy to bond with.

Gliders have complicated diets, make a lot of noises, and that usually being at night or early in the morning. Not the best to keep in your room! Some can be pretty difficult to bond with. Breaking that bond in the future by moving them to a new home can be very stressful on them. They also are best kept in pairs.

Both have their special needs, but with the two given options. I believe a ferret would be best for you. To be blunt, I don't think either would be the right pet for you.

[Poley]

Both ferrets and sugs have complicated diets [my ferrets diet consists of mice and rabbits etc] and with sugs you need to have their diet very finely balenced and refined. i would recommend rats, which have brilliant personalities but are easier to care for.

[polishferret]

rats seem great but my mom HATES rats! :(.....she would freak out and so would my grandmother.....also please dont tell me to wait until i move out because i have always been around aninals ever since i was born and 2 weeks ago moved to my step-dad's house, PA....i need a pet!...one that i can spend time with ...a lot of time and play....(also my mom is very picky about the animals i can have :(

[suggiegurl]

Since you are moving to PA, it is illegal to own either of these pets. Sorry!

[Poley]

Take your mum to a pet-store and introduce her to some pet ratties. print off some factsheets about pet rats from the 'net and see if you can bring her round. Emphasise that these rats are PETS, and not wild animals.

Goodluck.

[Tigerlily84]

It's not illegal to own either of those animals in Pa! They sell Ferrets in all of the pet stores, and the only problem with the gliders is if you want to own one you have to purchase it within the Pa borders. It is only illegal to buy or sell outside of the state! I only know this because I've gone round and round with the game commission about the legality of them. I'm getting my glider this weekend. If you have any more questions about this then IM me on yahoo messenger my name is T i t a n x g u a r d (minus the spaces, for some reason it won't let me post it any other way)

Thanks,
Tarah

[polishferret]

mom said that there is no way she would EVER come around to rats!.....she said they only agrivate her :yell: ........i've actually talked to other people and my friend's friend who has 2 ferret and i agree with both of them on what they say that there are plenty of kind-hearted pet owners that want the best for the pets and they dont want any more bad and abusing owners, which there are many, but there are also those people who are willing to learn (from other people's mistakes too), and are willing to put in the time and effort of taking care of that pet and making it thrive- im not saying that the advice i got sucks becasuse it doesn't and it sure makes me think about the responibility of owning the pet....plus sugar gliders/ferrets are the only 2 pets my mom seems to like and offer to help with (physically,emotionaly,money-wise,etc.)........so for now i'm gonna wait ....do the research....consider...and wait and i'll see how it goes.... ;)

[allyg8tor]

I really, really don't think you should get either. (I also posted on the ferret forums) I really think rats are a much better choice, and if you can't get those, I would suggest a dog or cat, because I don't think you really realize how much work either are... I know that sugar gliders are much like babies, and ferrets are tons of work as well. Cost-wise, it can be very expensive, and I don't think you or your mother know of that. My mom didn't want rats AT ALL when I asked for them. We agreed that I was going to get hermit crabs, and we went to the store to get them, and I saw the rats, asked her if I could hold one... She let me... The pet store clerk told her how they were great pets, like little dogs, and she knows how much I want a dog, but can't have one. I left the store with no hermit crabs and a rat magazine. After lots of hard work and research, I'm finally getting my rats, sometime next month... :)

Explain to your mom that she'll be paying more with ferrets, and may have to be up a lot at night with the sugar glider. If you really want to make the rat thing happen, you can... I did. :)

[polishferret]

well im not a cat person,never really was,....i can't get a dog because we have no fence and a huge backyard plus my step-dad doesn't like dogs that much so i can't get that either.....i asked about the rat thing and my mom just totally blew out on me! ....she is very tough....just like her mother-lol....i dont know what to do...so basicaly your saying that only adults should get sugar gliders?....the rat thing i might try a little more but she gets fraustrated really easily! :( ...(and then im gonna get grounded)

[allyg8tor]

Well, basically, yes... They are tons of responsibility. Unless the kid is home-schooled, or does half-days, or can dedicate a big chunk of their life to glider, then that's good too... But I don't think it's the right choice for you. Ferrets would be ok, but I sitll recommend rats more... Well, my mom's like that too, but I wrote a paper, kind of a report, actually several, and that helped... And she didn't blow up on me because I didn't actually say the words. :) Rats are amazing pets, and congrats if you can convince your mom! :D Otherwise, hmm... Maybe a chinchilla? Those are a lot of work, too, though, and don't like being handled all that much. Hmm. Work on the rat thing, make sure your mom knows it's what you really want... If it doesn't work out, I'll try to think of something else that's what you're looking for. :)

[allyg8tor]

What about a guinea pig?? Those guys are sweeties... My friend had some that were let out of their cage all day and allowed to run around because they were so tame. They would wait for her to get home at the top of the stairs, she taught them how to go up and down stairs...

[polishferret]

i'll think about it thanks :) how long do rats live?....how long to guinea pigs live?....my mom's friends had a guinea pig and it used to pee a lot on them and every where alse too-lol....i'm gonna have a pretty hard time with that rat thing though (she just thinks they look discussting-which is so not true!)...can rats really bond with their owners?

[Poley]

The oldest rattie I ever had was 3 1/2 years old. The oldest one I have currently is 3 years four months. They can live up to four years, but I have heard of them living longer.

Rats definately bond with their owners. I have 12 ratties, and each and every one loves spending time with me. They all know their names as well, and will listen if I talk to them. Lots of rats love to snuggle with their owners, all of mine have a favourite place to sit on me. One loves sleeping in my sleeve, another likes my shoulder, one always sits at the back of my neck and my biggest is lap rat.
They also know me apart from my family. I am always the one the rats will run up to so they can get treats or cuddles.

[petlover2626]

can someone how to make a new thread??

[Reilly122602]

can someone how to make a new thread??

Click on new thread at the Sugar Glider main forum....

[ewin2002]

I think that you are old enough to have ferrets! They are a great pet to start off with and you can play with them a lot! I say you get what you want. Especially since you can go to the pet store and purchase a ferret for 100.00 and a sugar glider will cost you more than that, plus you need a pair of them, with a ferret you can get along fine with one. I'm 22 and just got my first sugar glider 6 months ago and it is a lot of hard work even for me! And I have had every type of pet there is!!! It's not that I think you can't do it, it's just that Ferrets are great pets, they are tons of fun to play with (I love when they get all bouncy!) and they are easier to take care of, still a huge responsiblity, but easier to take care of:) Let me know which you choose!!

[Cavy]

Someone said that Sugar gliders are like babies. That's true, and ferrets are like 2 years olds!

Just before you decide on guinea pigs, I have a few words of wisdom. I have 2 pigs. After a year of research I KNEW they were the pet for me. I got 2, but while I was researching I read so often that they are difficult to tame, but never expected it to be that hard.

Guinea pigs are very shy animals, they like to spend alot of their time hiding (well most of them, but of course you could get the odd one out) so just be ready that until they are tame (which often takes quite a while) you won't be able to have them run up to the side of the cage to greet you and stuff like that.

Guinea pigs can be quite playful, I know a few who are. But my 2 females are not really what you would call as *playful* They spend most of their time eating and running laps in their cage.

Guinea pigs are great pets, as long as you know what to expect from them. And 1 thing to remember. They don't usually care where they pee or poop. Be prepared to be pooped on many times, and peed on every once and a while.

Guinea pigs live about 5-8 years, sometimes more, sometimes less.

I've been researching ferrets for a while too. they are really expensive, and need a lot of attention (at least 4 hours.)

but just do your research and then you'll see what pet is for you!

I, like most everyone else, suggest rats. They are great little creatures. My cousin had one and they are SO fun!

Good luck, and sorry for the long post!

[polishferret]

i think ratties make really good pets too! except mom doesn't even wanna hear the owrd rat :(
Plus my grandmother hates rats and i live on weekends with my grandparents (and holidays), mom said that i can't come to her house if i have rats, and to my dad's i only go once a year, but he loves all pets so he's no problem! :)
over the past 3 years i have researched on so many pets, because my mom is never pleased with the one that i choose!
i have researched on : rats ; rabbits ; ferrets ; sugar gliders ; flying squirrels ; skunks ; gerbils ; coatimundi ; lovebirds ; cockatiels ; and many others!
i just want an animal that ALL of my family will except, like's to cuddle and spend time with me, and has a pretty long life-span !
by the way i can't have a dog because my mom says she doesn't have time because she has my little brother, where i live with my step-dad he says that he can't get a fence, and my dad works on a farm and travels between Chech, Poland, and Germany all the time (and i've had dogs all my life until this year), but there is a big doggie at my grandparents house (<3)
if you guys can just please help me pick a pet?!
also if you have any tips on convincing my mom to get rats, she's a really tough cookie!, ( the only negative thing i see about rats is their short life span! :( )

[polishferret]

ohh and i've researched on pot-bellied pigs too ! , basically i'm up for any pet ( even highmaintnance- i have mom, grandparents, etc. to help too!)

[ScootersPet]

This may sound well.....er odd....but pygmy goats make great pets. They are social,small, can be house trained, and are very friendly. Just a thought. Can i ask what you think of bunnys?, they are very loveable and playful/social too.

[polishferret]

can you keep your pygmy goats in the house?! i'm gonna search on Google for them....rabbits are fine, i think they are good pets, (even though they don't like to be held too much, but thats not a real problem), my mom just keeps changing her mind so i keep on comming up with pets that she will like and then she says that i can't decide on a pet! UGH!!!!!
well,i'll just keep on trying! :)

[mobmilli]

have you considered a bird? There are bird breeds that bond / play just as much as our furry friends.

I can't say much for ferrets- don't have any but I don't think your ready for Sugar Gliders. They are very high maintenced & can only get worse the less their needs are met.

[polishferret]

yes i have concidered either a lovebird or cockatiel :) but mom is really picky and she never gives me a straight answer! :(
please people any tips on convincing my mom on rats?!!!

[ScootersPet]

Yes, you can keep pygmys in the house, to take them outside, a harness/collar and a leash like you would with a dog is fine.You could put a line up between two trees and hook a lead on it and leave them out for a while just leave enough slack so they can walk around. my great great grandmother raised goats and a mother died while having its kids. They lived in her house with her and would go to the door and bleet when they needed to go outside. It all depends on how you train them and if you are consistent with them. With rabbits, it all depends on how it is raised, if you hold it and love on it when it is small it will probably get used to it and enjoy it, just get a baby and train it. Rabbits are great pets! :)

[anarashka]

I have to warn you about a few things. Ferrets live between 7-9 years or so, although they typically succumb earlier to one of a few ferret specific diseases. These diseases are VERY expensive to treat and can strike as early as 2-3 years old. Some of them require surgeries (and sometimes multiple surgeries) and then medications for the rest of the ferret's life. Ferrets are very willful at times and will tear up anything that they can get a hold of, though they tend to be specific about what they tear up. One of mine tears the underwire out of my bras. Ferrets can be a VERY expensive pet to have, with the vaccines (yearly, and they are known for bad reactions to them as well) and the odd predicaments they find themselves in fairly often. Household accidents are the leading cause of ferret deaths.

I also own gliders, I have for about 5-6 weeks now. They are also expensive and can live for around 15 years. They do not require vaccines but when they get sick, if you do not get them IMMEDIATE vet attention, they will die. It takes a VERY short period of time for them to go downhill, at times less than 12 hours. They are noturnal and sleep ALL day long. Mine come with me to work and sleep in a pouch beneath my sweatshirt all day (I work at an office). They play all night and often into the morning as well. They require a very special diet with carefully balanced vitamins and minerals. If that balance is throw off it can result in paralysis or death fairly quickly. Also, gliders can and will canabilize their babies if they are put under stress or if there is ANYTHING wrong with the baby. It is heartbreaking. Due to the fact that these wonderful creatures are recently domesticated (IF you could call them that) not a whole lot is known about the diseases that they can get.

Both of these pets require a great deal of time every day, at least 2-3 hours if at all possible. The gliders need it to bond to you and the ferrets need that high energy time outside of their cage. Both of them are very curious creatures that can get in a lot of trouble without direct supervision. Make sure you do your research before you choose either of these creatures as pets. Good luck!

[ScootersPet]

DELETE :) Sry

[ScootersPet]

honestly, i would not suggest a Glider for the right pet for you. In these cases you have to think about long term. You said you are in middle school(right?) ok think about the lifespan of a glider, up to about 15 YEARS are you going to want to go to college,if so live in a dorm most dorms dont allow pets so what then? go on vacations, its going to be stressful to the animal and could cause it to harm itself. If in middleschool, how are you going to have time to play at NIGHT when you have to go to bed for school? Play time is essential to a happy healthy glider. I go to college and work, i have almost no social life because I am either at school, doing homework, working, or taking care of my suggies. Do you want to have a very active social life? Just a few things to think about. I dont mean to sound rude or even mean, but i hate to see a suggie bond with a person, and the person forget about them in a few months when social life, school work whatever becomes more important. And i am sorry if i did come off as being a b****, it is not intentional.
<3 Amber

[polishferret]

don't worry i understand....i think i'll wait to get gliders/ ferrets when i save up some money after collage :)
right now i'm thinking about getting a pair of gunea pigs....so we'll see how it goes.........
anyone own guinea pigs?!

[ScootersPet]

Guinea pigs are great! I have one named peppers, she loves to be petted and will sit in my lap while i watch t.v. Simple basic diet, easy to take care of. Though some are skittish, when you pick them out ask to sit with them for a few minutes so you can tell how "tame" they are, most babies will grow out of being skittish but older ones may take longer. I got mine at 4 months old and she was very, i guess i could say frantic, anytime i would go near her cage, she would run into her igloo and hide, now she is very loveable and talkative. Let us know what your final decision is, my favorite of the ones you have mentioned are rats, guinea pigs and gliders.....but choose the one that fits you best.
<3 Amber

[gliderlover641]

Sugar glider I am in middle school and I have plenty of time for my glider.I let her sleep in my pocket when I get home from school.I have a bed time at 10:30 ,but I have been getting her out like at 7:30 and for a couple of weeks she was kinda sleep then she started getting up at 7:30.I love her.

[michago]

im in middle scool 2 and my dad used to hav guinea pigs but he sed the first 2 yeers u hav them there gr8 but after that they sit around in there cage and sleep all day. now this may sound totally stupid, but dwarf rabbits are pretty cool. my neighbors hav some, and they dont smell,bite or sleep all day.mite b somthin 2 consider...

[polishferret]

yeah i've concidered rabbits but i know that rabbits aren't that great when it comes to cuddling....that's what i llike about guinea pigs...i've heard their more cuddly, but of course it also depends on their persinality.....i don't know?!

[FemaleCheetah]

i have rabbits and 3 of them are cuddly