Let's talk pets!

[Raven_C]

We technically only have 3 cats that are officially our pets, but recently a stray kitten found its way to our home (pictured at the bottom left). It seems we are prone to getting strays because two of our cats were previously stray cats, too. Haha! From top to bottom of the pic, the cats are Oliver, Tomo, Callie, and Destiny (we like to call her Denni for short).

Oliver is very mellow (and lazy) and always hungry. Tomo is very affectionate and playful. Callie is still a bit shy but also playful. Destiny doesn't like other cats -- period. Lol.

[Eve]

That's so wonderful! I'm glad your cat is helping your husband while he's not feeling well. Getting a second cat may help Malla's vocalization and may also help you and your husband have the lap cat you want. Do you mind if I ask if Mala is spayed?

Fish are a handful! The more I read up on them the more I understand the financial burden they can represent. Getting a larger tank when you can afford it may help. I hope any new guys stay around longer!

Also I was curious since you like birds if you have any?

[Eve]

That's awesome that you and your family takes in large mixed breed dogs! Also, I'm glad even when you were young you never felt your animals had to fit a certain mold. It sounds like you have a great set up for these guys and I'm glad you continue to care for them even when it's hard! Many dogs end up in shelters for exactly the reasons you spoke of, and they are indeed the hardest dogs to find homes for!

[Eve]

Ferrets are crazy and cute little guys! And they're unfortunately not the neatest of pets. I have a part about ferrets coming up in my comic. Did you litter box train these guys or did they come trained?

[Eve]

That's awesome, they sound like great pets! I have a coworker who loves birds and she has an African grey and a parakeet! I've never had birds so I wasn't going to talk much about them in my comic, but I'd be interested to know what kind of bird you think a first time bird parent should adopt.

[Eve]

Oh, I know how stubborn rabbits can be. I had rabbits and they were awesome! One was a sweet lop eared man and I had a little grey dwarf girl. The girl, Elphaba, used to bang on everything with her toys and destroyed all my cables.

Pet shop animals usually have some issues.

You have very cute little guys and it looks like you have an out door set up for them. Are they indoor/outdoor?

[Eve]

Awesome kitties, and great set up you have for them! Cat trees are perfect for any indoor feline!

I know how you feel, and many people decide eventually to adopt for the same reasons. They house just feels to empty without a furry presence! It's a great reason to adopt, and I'm glad you got two kitties to keep each other company! And sometimes a third comes along. My mother found a stray kitten and eventually she got added to a household of 4 cats and 2 dogs! I'm glad in both cases it looks like the new guy fit right in!

I know my questions seem strange, but that's because I want to get a feel of how people feel about their pets. Having worked with animals for so long a lot of people expect certain animals, or certain animal breeds, to act a certain way. When they don't there's a lot of confusion on both ends, which can lead to issues.

Looks like you kitties are in good hands! : )

[Eve]

Awesome kitties and great set up! Like Destiny I have one cat who just wants to be left alone, he's an old man and quite set in his way.

It's awesome that you take in strays. Do you mind if I ask if they're fixed and if you had a lot of trouble introducing the new guys?

[PotooGryphon]

Totally agree.

I think breeds really plan around with cats, dogs, fish, and birds. Each breed has there own needs ontop of everything else. My favorite cat breeds are Maine Coons and Snowshoe cats. None of mine are pure breed. Pure breeds are a bit overrated. Aside from the horrors of puppy mills and breeders, most of the time to maintain the pure breed status the animals are inbreed which can lead to health complications.

College Humor actually did a great video on the subject:

[Runiix]

Definitely cockatiels - they are very sweet, and when they do bite, it usually is very soft. They are also relatively small and quiet so their screams wouldn't freak out any neighbors ^^

[Menbung]

Hi! I really didn't plan to have a pet, I always liked dogs but my mom didn't want to have any, nor cats, or any animal for that matter D: -

But a couple of months ago a little street cat ended up at my front door (literally) he was in a horrible shape, skiny, he drooled all over the floor, had like an eye infection, he was all bruised and wounded, so my brother and I started to take care of him, givin' him food everyday, we didn't let him in the house coz family issues and all... he started to gain weight, and started to look better.

One day 2 dogs that lives in my neighborhood saw the little cat and cornered him, they were going to kill him, I didn't saw the thing, my brother did, somehow the cat escaped, we don't know how, he disappeared for some days, we thought the dogs found him and killed him for sure =(... but one day he came back, wow, poor thing he was all wounded... so Vet time ! , the guys at the vet took care of him =] .

Now he lives at my house and he's all healthy XDXDXD. He can be a little pain when he gets over exited, he has this habit of jumping at you and clawing or biting at your knee when he jumps.. =T I'm trying to change that, he sometimes will hunt you down like you were a prey, I know he doesn't do it to hurt you, he's basically playing coz he doesn't bite hard, but sometimes his claws makes wounds that bleed . Other than that he's a good cat, he likes to hunt birds, I think he loves it too much D: .

Aw yes he has his little toys and all too =P. Sorry for the long comment, I dunno if it will help you but I liked the thread XDXD. Regards

[Raven_C]

They're fixed, except for the kitten. We've only had her for about a week and she's still a bit scared of us. She actually just comes and goes whenever she pleases. For some reason, my cat Oliver somehow always gets the kitten to follow him home. Haha. I didn't have trouble with introduction of the cats. My older cat Destiny is sort of always on her own and she just doesn't care about the other cats. No matter what, she hates other cats and prefers solitude. As for the others, they've gotten used to each other fairly quickly. ^^

[Basil]

@Runiix
I'm just letting you know, I know next to nothing about birds and how to take of them beyond their tendency to be amazingly stressed (the only exotic pet I've ever had was a Leopard Gecko ages ago). So when you said "They are also relatively small and quiet so their screams wouldn't freak out any neighbors," I was well and truly freaked out for a good moment there.

[Runiix]

Haha I hope I didn't give off any sinister vibes there ;u;
It's just that I've heard that the bigger the bird, the louder their voices. Some scream for attention when the owner is out of the room, and some even scream because they are afraid of the dark. For some reason, my conure likes to scream at the broom when I'm cleaning the house - even when I'm in a different room and it hears the sweeping sound. She also calls out whenever someone opens a door. They are just very vocal animals ~

[gateofselidor]

They are outdoor, pretty much. They have a multi-storey custom built cage with wheels on courtesy of my Dad, and we move them into the lean-to when it's very cold/wet. They sometimes get to come into the house, but they make such a mess that it's quite rare now. They peel off the wallpaper, pull the carpet up and chew holes in the curtains, so it's better if they're outside with lots of things they're allowed to chew on. They can't go out on their own or go into a run though, because there are a lot of foxes and cats in the local area.

[AlkseeyaKC]

Malla is spayed. She is just a ball of energy. XD We live in an apartment so I don't think it would be best to get another cat yet. We worry about introducing them when we don't have a lot of room.

We don't have plans to get a bigger tank. We are doing well to maintain the tank and everything seems well balanced. We just need to get the one Danyo some friends. I also worry about the coriy cats. We keep having babies. XD Its funny because I hear its REALLY hard to bead them and we are not even trying. lol

When I was younger I had two cocktails. They were so cute and I loved them so much. They passed a long time ago though. Oddly I tend to have weird dreams that they are back as zombies. I'm not sure what to make of it.

[SpavVy]

These ferrets were rescued twice and were never litter trained up until my friend got them so training them is a little difficult, the older one has been pretty good about using it lately but whenever I try to get the female to use it she leaves the box and tries to go near the door then I pick her up and put her in the box and then everything just repeats itself until I've had it and just end up putting her in the cage until she goes. Before I moved in they used to go to the bathroom wherever they wanted and not get in trouble for it but I refuse to live in a house where the animals rule it, plus its just disgusting to let them do that even if you clean it up afterwards. His parents used to spoil them rotten and my friend just gave up on trying to reason with his mother about punishing them but I was able to I love these ferrets but I don't love their poop.

[Eve]

Totally agree, purebreds are riddles with nasty problems! It's simple genetics, spread the genes apart and you get healthier, well anything! Many purebreds, on top of their genetic complications from being inbred, also have nasty teeth. So, top the medical bills off with huge dental bills on top of what was paid to purchase them in the first place. Sheesh.

Awesome video!

[Eve]

Lol, birds can be very vocal animals and some breeds can be heard doors down! Cockateils are great! They always seem like really friendly birds, and I've even had one hang out on my head and try to play with my hair. Like I said, I don't know much about birds, and it's nice to know my first impressions have been verified! Maybe I'll do a section on birds after all

[Eve]

That's great! Sometimes introductions can be a little rough. Are your guys indoor/outdoor?