#easy pets

[raggedybitchboy]

I feel like ranting about something

So here's a rant about how there's no such thing as an "easy pet"

I work at a pet store right? And many people come in asking for the easiest pet to have.

There's no such thing...

But hamsters are easy?

WRONG!!! they need a HUGE tank with shit ton of bedding and even more enrichment. And of course your attention and quality food.

Fish then?

WRONG again. They usually need to live in groups so you'll need a big tank. Which means a lot of care for the fish, tank, filters, maybe heaters etc.

Well I've heard Betta fish are easy?

Biggest wrong. Not only do they need everything other fish need (filter, heater, big tank) BUT they're suckers for routine and hate change. From what I've read you have to feed them a tiny bit every day at the same time. When doing a water change you should do it routinely and not all the water. They need specific temperature and pH and all that stuff, it changes? Betta gets mad. Also I've heard due to overbreeding they don't live very long anymore which is sad..

Well cats are easy? They don't need much

LOUD INCORRECT BUZZER. My credentials? I've lived with cats literally my entire life. And I have two beautiful babies right now. They're domesticated animals. House cats. So 1. Keeping them outside is in my opinion irresponsible and cruel. 2. Keep them inside? Oh boy. For feeding you CANNOT just give them random kibble and call it a day. That spells health issues, mainly urinary. When cats eat in the wild they get the majority of their hydration from food (blood for example). So only giving them dry kibble is not good. You should also feed them good quality food otherwise, again, health issues. Mine currently have specific wet and dry food for each one, salmon oil and kelp powder. Cats also need a LOT of enrichment and contrary to popular belief a LOT of attention too. They need places to scratch, toilets for each cat plus one more. So I have 2 cats and 3 toilets. Lots of toys, hides and places to lounge. Regular vet checkups, vaccines. You also need to adjust your home for the cats. Which means no pretty plants, open trash, small things they could eat (generally if it fits in their mouth = hide it). No decorations they could knock over and break. And if you have a smartass you also need to baby-proof your place ://

Reptiles/bugs don't need much?

That's a BIG depends. Would you consider usually a large enclosure, lamps, keeping the temperature and humidity at the right levels at all times and potentially having to feed them live insects daily (which you also need to take care of btw) a lot? Cleaning too but I don't need to tell you that. For this category I'd say THEORETICALLY keeping a scorpion, spider or bugs could be a bit easier? They don't need much interaction. You just gotta keep their home the right way and feed them when you need to.

But that's not what you want is it? You want something cuddly and cute. Something you can show off and interact with. Not gonna happen

If I said anything wrong please correct me!!!!

I haven't covered things like birds, other rodents, dogs etc because I think it's pretty well known they're not an easy pet

In the end. All pets are living breathing things that will need a lot of care. If you want something easy get a toy.

I'm not an expert I just have to know a bunch about pet keeping cuz of my job😅

[fbwzoo]

In your opinion, is there any animal that would actually qualify as an easy pet?

Honestly? Not really. Not in a general “this pet is easy for everyone” type thing. Every animal is going to have their specific care needs. I mean, I’m a bit brain-dead due to babies right now, but any pet I can think of is going to have some drawback that would make them not easy for someone. Whether it’s cost, housing, noise, health risks (to humans), handleability, attention needs, vet costs, space & exercise needs, etc. 

I’ve noticed recently that a lot of people seem to compare exotics to dogs by saying “well, they’re not easy like dogs”. I think it’s meant to be something along the lines of, it’s easier to find vets & supplies for dogs, because they’re so common? But dogs aren’t exactly “easy” either - a lot of people just don’t necessarily....do enough with their dogs, I feel like? 

I do think there are animals within categories of pet types that would be the “easy” ones compared to others in the group. Think like, crested gecko versus a green iguana. Or a corn snake versus a burmese python. Pigeons versus a cockatoo. You get the picture! That’s the closest I’d come to designating an “easy” pet, the more manageable ones within a category that would work for someone. 

[raggedybitchboy]

Remember how I said there's no such thing as low needs/effort pet? Actually there might be

For almost a year now I've had my darling millipede. And the care is abysmally low. Her primary food is leaf litter and decay. Which, especially during fall is the easiest thing ever. For enclosure a regular plastic container with holes for ventilation is doing the job well. If I want to give her a treat leftover veggies work great. She also doesn't need or want my attention. Only regular stuff is that I need to spray water for moisture.

(I don't actually know her gender, she's just giving gilrypop vibes. And also I'm not an expert millipede keeper so this is just what works for me specifically.)

Here's the enclosure with fresh bedding (cuz it needed a change) and the star of the show

I love her so much and she doesn't even know 😭

[bachiles]

Just Add Water

I bought a fun gift for Theo for Valentine’s Day. Or at least I thought it was fun. When I tell you what I got him I bet a lot of you will be taken back to your childhood days. . Who remembers Sea Monkeys? Those magical creatures that you could buy from the ads in the back of comic books? I saw this lonely package at Aldi and decided Theo needed to experience the magical creatures for himself.…

Just Add Water