Apartment Pets

**pollypurebred39** · 09-19-2009, 08:31 PM

Looking for a pet or 2 for my Aunt. She is fighting Cancer and spends most of her time alone. She would like someone to share her day with, her landlord has a firm no dogs/ no cats policy.

Does anyone have any ideas about types of apartment pets?

**Pemberleyan** · 09-19-2009, 08:44 PM

I've had a variety of pets. I think a ferret or hamster would be too much cage-cleaning for her and just not the right type of pet. How about a bird? I've always thought that pets don't make good surprises. Everyone needs to know the habits and needs of whatever type of pet they're getting.

**Contrary Housewife** · 09-19-2009, 08:48 PM

I think birds take just as much cleaning up after as hamsters.

A fish might be a good choice. They can be inexpensive. She won't need to buy a lot of food very often. They are quiet, don't smell, and can be left alone for a weekend without needing a sitter.

**pollypurebred39** · 09-19-2009, 08:58 PM

I agree, no surprise pets here. She's the one asking me what kind of pet, I'm clueless.

I know she's liking a bird, she does not plan on cashing in her chips any time soon, but if it out lives her someone in the family will take it. My Mom has 2 African Grays, and 2 cocka -somethings, a floor to ceiling avairy of finches, and a few others. Anyway, I think she's looking for more then one animal to fill her day with, some pets to have some interaction with during her day.

**madhen** · 09-19-2009, 09:11 PM

I responded in another thread about birds. Birds can be VERY loud and very strong-willed. They are also very messy, by nature, as it is part of nature for them to poop and drop seeds all over and thus ensure regrowth of their food sources. If your mother has parrots, Polly, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

If your aunt will consider it, you might consider a house rabbit or a guinea pig. Rabbits are very much like cats in their personality, and they can be very cuddly and sweet. No noise, but you would have to change a litter box regularly. Guineas are a little more vocal, but not terribly so, but I don't know much about their cuddly-factor.

Check out House Rabbit Society on the web, if you are thinking of a bun. I know a couple people here on FV have pet indoor bunnies and love them!

**pollypurebred39** · 09-19-2009, 09:27 PM

I'm wondering if they have teacup rabbits? If so her landlord might let her have one of those.

And yes MadHen, birds can be very messy and noisy. Amongest a long list of other adjectives I can think of to describe my Mom's birds. Funny but her landlord's okay with birds, even suggesting one.

She would consider fish, but not as her only pet. I asked.

**madhen** · 09-19-2009, 09:31 PM

That IS funny!! I've seen cockatiels DESTROY the interior of a home!!

They DO have dwarf bunnies.

**dcompton** · 09-19-2009, 09:36 PM

Several considerations. If her landlord has a strict no dog/cat rule, does that apply to other pets? I'm thinking he might not like anything furry, like a rabbit on general principles. (I know, a Scrooge, but what can you do?)

If she is doing chemo, I would check the doctor or a very knowledgeable nurse to be sure that litter box or bird cage cleaning would not be an issue. My guess is it would probably be ok, but chemo flattens your immune system.

Birds are indeed messy and can be loud. Is this a stand alone house type apartment, or an apartment complex? I had cockatiels for a time in an apartment, and loved them. They stayed out of the cage most of time with me and were wonderful companions. But when I left, and when they heard me walking back up the steps after classes/work, there were deafening calls and whistles that could be heard quite a distance. However, my impression was that it didn't last long, and when I was there they were pretty quiet.

Fish are very relaxing, but also can be an awfully lot of work. Before I started chemo, I got a couple of good size aquariums, and enjoyed them very much, but I really got tired of hauling water. Of course, I was completely on my own - she might have available hands willing to help with the maintenance. Also, if she got a larger aquarium, which are more fun and easier to maintain after the initial start up, be mindful of how heavy they are. And with a large one, be sure to have renter's insurance. It should cover any 30-40 gallon water mishaps on someone else's carpet!

I feel like I am totally raining of this parade, but these things should all be considered. If it will work with the landlord, I would tend to vote for a bird or two. Fish are a pretty passive enjoyment, and cleaning a bird cage is a lot easier than maintaining an aquarium in my experience. A rabbit would probably be great if you could get it by Mr. Scrooge.

I do hope you find something that will work for her. It would add a wonderful dimension to her life at a time that is probably difficult for her. Could someone talk to the landlord on her behalf and see if under the circumstances he might make an exception for a quiet cat or a little dog?

**dcompton** · 09-19-2009, 09:39 PM

You had replied before I got this last long post up. Since the landlord agreed to birds, that might be the best solution. Since there are other real options, I would probably avoid fish. They can also involve a lot of money to do it right, and a lot of frustration when they die or you end up with an incompatible bully in the group.

The rabbit sounds like fun.

**NikoSan999** · 09-19-2009, 09:43 PM

Can you litter box train a bunny? My mother back when had a rabbit but it just, well, stopped and done it's thing and kept on trucking. Can they be litter box trained? Guinea pigs are cute and not overly big. There are some really cute ones.

**madhen** · 09-19-2009, 09:54 PM

Yes, bunnies can be litter-box trained. It takes a little more effort than with cats, but they are pretty reliable, once they figure it out.

Funny bunny story: I once had a mini-lop who had a hard time learning litter-training. Then one day, by accident, I had a newspaper laying on the floor, and she hopped over to it and peed on it. Right on a pic of Angela Lansbury. I put another paper down. No luck. Then I got a T.V. guide (the type that comes in the paper) with a pic of, you guessed it, Angela Lansbury, on it. The bunny peed on it. After that, I told people that the bunny would only pee on Angela Lansbury. They looked at me a little oddly, but I thought it was hilarious!

**NikoSan999** · 09-19-2009, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by madhen

Yes, bunnies can be litter-box trained. It takes a little more effort than with cats, but they are pretty reliable, once they figure it out.

Funny bunny story: I once had a mini-lop who had a hard time learning litter-training. Then one day, by accident, I had a newspaper laying on the floor, and she hopped over to it and peed on it. Right on a pic of Angela Lansbury. I put another paper down. No luck. Then I got a T.V. guide (the type that comes in the paper) with a pic of, you guessed it, Angela Lansbury, on it. The bunny peed on it. After that, I told people that the bunny would only pee on Angela Lansbury. They looked at me a little oddly, but I thought it was hilarious!

Another giggle and smile here. You're to funny. That is hilarious. Also another I guess for most people they would have had to have been there!!!

**pollypurebred39** · 09-19-2009, 10:03 PM

Well, I'll look into that dwarf bunny option. I wonder if they can use a tank with a litter box and not jump out? probably not huh?, since they are known for their hopping! So how would you house one?

My votes for the tiny rabbit and a bunch of fish, okay and maybe a parakeet. But I'm not the one buying or approving the animal.

**pollypurebred39** · 09-19-2009, 10:06 PM

MadHen LOL! Too Funny!!!

**madhen** · 09-19-2009, 10:10 PM

She was the same bunny who ate the redwood tree I brought back from the fair. She had the title, "The Rabbit Who Felled the Mighty Redwood" ever after.