Empty nester, wanting a new fur baby?

[Mimzy]

I just recently lost the last 2 pets I had a month apart from each other. Sadly, I don’t know that getting another bunny is the best option for me as I’m getting married soon & my fiance’s dad is apparently pretty allergic to rabbits. We were going to make an exception for Mimzy while I still had her, but now since she passed away, it’s probably best I don’t get another rabbit as much as I want to, since he’s allergic, it would make it more difficult for his dad to visit our home.

His parents want to still try to make it work if I want to get another bunny but from the stories I heard about his bunny allergies, I feel like it wouldn’t be fair.

Long story short….does anyone have any other suggestions for pets? I feel like since I’ll be making a big move to another state soon, it wouldn’t be wise to make a big commitment to something like a dog or cat just yet, but I feel that I want some sort of companion in my room. I was thinking a Syrian hamster would be easy for now? But I’m somewhat hoping for a pet that’s ok with sometimes going with me to a small trip to the pet store or something. I read that Syrians are very friendly & bond to their humans & like a good amount of human interaction, but would they tolerate an occasional store trip? Or if not that, at least be fine being near or on me as I go around the house or sit in the living room? Or do they not like being moved around very much at all?

**To note….I do realize it is a hamster & they tend to move around a lot & need to be kept busy. Syrians are more laid back than say a robo hamster, but I’m wondering if a Syrian would be fine with occasionally staying on my shoulder for a short period of time or maybe I could make an extra play area for it next to my work space so I could still have it near me to interact with.

I am also considering a small parrot which I’ve had before & know how to care for. Obviously that would be a big commitment like a dog or cat as well, but…I do know they are much better at being moved around & love being with their owners. But they can be expensive.

If anyone has any other suggestions of small animals that can be good companions, please comment! I know rats fit the criteria I’m listing very well, almost to a T, & they’re cute but I’m not sure I really have any desire to own one.

[Gina.Jenny]

Guinea pigs might be worth a thought?

[sarahthegemini]

Ah I was thinking rats, rats, rats til I saw your last sentence! I’d love to have rats if I didn’t have bunnies. What about mice?

[Mimzy]

I think the main reason I’m not sure about a rat is because they’re typically prone to getting cancer. I did have a friend who had 2 of them & they were pretty cute. I do see that the temperament I’m looking for does seem to best fit with a rat or possibly the Syrian hamster.

Would also be willing to look into guinea pigs, I baby sat a pair of them for my cousin once & it was kinda fun. Might be a good alternative if my future father-in-law is allergic to rabbits.

[OnyxMoon]

Fostering in your new state might be a good solution until you decide. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

Ah I was thinking rats, rats, rats til I saw your last sentence! I’d love to have rats if I didn’t have bunnies.

Ditto!!!

And I felt the same way about rats until my husband brought one home (he took her in when his sister couldn’t keep her). I ended up feeling bad for her downstairs all by herself so I adopted her into the rabbit room. She def won me over with rats. Very smart! And I have so many stories of cute stuff she did. I didn’t have her for even a year, though, and she passed suddenly. She was elderly, however, at about 2 1/2.

[Ellie from The Netherlands]

Agree with you on rats Mimzy, I had two rats when I just started living on my own, and they both died from cancer. You develop an amazing bond with them, and 1,5 years later you fail to spot a tiny lump, and within weeks they’re completely beyond saving I’ve felt so guilty with both of them. One died very suddenly, the other started to sneeze blood. I took her to the vet immediately, and the vet finally managed to turn her on her belly. She was always shy and protective about being touched on the belly, and the vet found 4 tumors on her belly. There was nothing we could do except giving her mercy  
Rats have probably been inbred too much, and the result is horrible. Amazing pets, but I won’t ever get them again.

[LittlePuffyTail]

So sad, Ellie.

[joea64]

I’d like having a couple of rats – if it weren’t for their being so short-lived. Candidly, that’s one reason I settled on bunnies; for all their delicate health, they can live a long time with proper care and good luck.

[Author]

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