Discussion
stuartmmcfc said:
otolith said:
Compared to what?
As small animals go, they're pretty good.
I’m trying to put my teenage daughter off. She’s done loads of research and a straight “no”:without a reason is not going to work!As small animals go, they're pretty good.
Do you want her to not have a rat, or not have a small animal pet?
They're a big responsibility. They may live five years or more, but 2-3 is more likely. Does she want to deal with a pet dying in the middle of her exams? If it lives long enough, will she take it to uni? Is she up for veterinary bills? Does she have time to look after it properly?
otolith said:
Ah.
Do you want her to not have a rat, or not have a small animal pet?
They're a big responsibility. They may live five years or more, but 2-3 is more likely. Does she want to deal with a pet dying in the middle of her exams? If it lives long enough, will she take it to uni? Is she up for veterinary bills? Does she have time to look after it properly?
Tbf I don’t want a rat. My prejudice I know, but once you’ve read “The rats” it’s hard.Do you want her to not have a rat, or not have a small animal pet?
They're a big responsibility. They may live five years or more, but 2-3 is more likely. Does she want to deal with a pet dying in the middle of her exams? If it lives long enough, will she take it to uni? Is she up for veterinary bills? Does she have time to look after it properly?
She’s had hamsters and we’ve already got 2 guinea pigs, a dog and 3 cats already. She’s fairly responsible and has worked out her finances but I feel enough is enough.
stuartmmcfc said:
otolith said:
Ah.
Do you want her to not have a rat, or not have a small animal pet?
They're a big responsibility. They may live five years or more, but 2-3 is more likely. Does she want to deal with a pet dying in the middle of her exams? If it lives long enough, will she take it to uni? Is she up for veterinary bills? Does she have time to look after it properly?
Tbf I don’t want a rat. My prejudice I know, but once you’ve read “The rats” it’s hard.Do you want her to not have a rat, or not have a small animal pet?
They're a big responsibility. They may live five years or more, but 2-3 is more likely. Does she want to deal with a pet dying in the middle of her exams? If it lives long enough, will she take it to uni? Is she up for veterinary bills? Does she have time to look after it properly?
She’s had hamsters and we’ve already got 2 guinea pigs, a dog and 3 cats already. She’s fairly responsible and has worked out her finances but I feel enough is enough.
. I honestly don't have a negative to say re them as pets, they are affectionate, easy to tame, can be taught tricks. They are clean, they will sleep at night, not like hamsters!
The biggest downfall is their life expectancy, 18mths-2yrs average, they are prone to tumours (sometimes operable, sometimes not) and pneumonia. This can obviously come at a cost both financially and emotionally.
I would say they are a pet most teenagers should have though.
Oh and I had cats, a dog, budgies, a finch a mouse, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pig, a rabbit and rats during my teenage - early 20's, can never be enough if you are that way inclined
. Doesn't really help you does it!
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