also, this is totally not a "do my homework for me" post

[ysobel]

Hypothetically speaking, my roommates and I are possibly interested in having a Cute Furry Critter around. (I would have technical ownership, they would help with some of the care that I can't do and also totally have petting rights etc.)

Ideally, we are looking for something which:

• is generally not free-roaming, given that there are two wheelchairs in the house
  
• can be taken out for pettings
  
• enjoys sitting still on a lap and being petted
  
• is not too big (see: lap-sitting)
  
• is, however, not too small
  
• is social with humans but does not require a herd of its own kind
  
• is not horrendously noisy
  
• does not require huge complicated amounts of daily care

I know that some of that is individual rather than breed traits, but, for example, an iguana is right out, because even though there may be fairly docile iguanas out there, they are not cute furry lap critters. Bunnies are a possibility, especially as the local spca has a fostering program, but the research we've done is a bit ambivalent on whether they are lap-petting-y pets. Mice are probably too small. No idea about anything else.

So, those of you what have had CFC pets. Any suggestions?

(oh, and it has to be legal in California.)

Comments

[foxfirefey]

Many of these animals you are mentioning, such as mice and bunnies, are social and do best with a companion in most cases, unless you adopt one from a shelter that has already had a history of wanting to be all by itself. But really, I think two animals as opposed to one really isn't that bad, especially when you are talking about smaller animals where they really should be in a cage big enough to fit two even if you just have one anyway.

Maybe guinea pigs? They are kinda docile and lap sitty, from what I hear!

[yvi]

Two or three guinea pigs aren't really any more work that one. I used to work a bit with them and they are very friendly, and don't require much care.

Otherwise, an older cat, maybe?

via network

[jumpuphigh]

I third the guinea pigs suggestion. Bunnies can be lap bunnies depending on personality. Rats are also wonderful pets.

[vass]

Two rats. Two aren't harder to take care of than one, and don't take up more room, but you really can't have one rat on its own, they are very social animals.

They're not noisy, they don't need complicated care (but they do need a fair amount of attention and petting) and they really like humans a lot. They are very people-friendly animals.

The Dapper Rat site has lots of professional quality pictures of cute rats, and advice on how to take care of them (pay close attention to the bit about appropriate bedding. Pine shavings do not cut it.)

Important things to note about rats:
- they only live 2-3 years. This can be heartbreaking.
- they can be litter trained
- boy rats are laid-back and calm
- girl rats are hyperactive and adventurous
- boys can rarely have aggression problems - chemical or surgical castration sometimes solves that
- except for those rare cases, male rats do not fight seriously
- girl rats go into heat once every seven days. During that time, they will try to have sex with any other rat present, and will not want to be touched by a human.
- this is probably too obvious to mention, but you DO NOT want a mixed pair unless one or both rats are desexed.
- they do not smell unpleasant provided you keep their cage clean
- rats cannot be trained not to chew. Their teeth are constantly growing, and they need to grind them down. They like electronic cables. You will want to keep them away from electronic cables.
- rats grind their teeth happily the same way cats purr. This is called bruxing. Sometimes when they're bruxing, their eyes bug out and start vibrating. It's weird, but cute.
- rats have a built-in stash instinct. This is cute to watch. Some of them would rather stash than eat.
- they are smart. You can teach them tricks.
- they like bosoms. It's a warm, dark place to hide.
- for maximum longevity and health and temperament, get them from a reputable rat breeder, not a pet shop. Rat rescues are a better option than pet shops, but have the same health risks. Pet shops sell feeder rats, and I personally think it's a good idea to draw a bright line between 'pets' and 'food for other pets'.
- you will need a good vet. Best of all is a vet who has previous experience with pet rats, but a good second choice is a creative exotics vet.
- the two main illnesses you need to look out for are mycoplasma pulmosis (rat pneumonia, causes scarring on the lungs) which is endemic to pet rats - you're unlikely to find a rat that's not infected with it already, so you want one who's resistant to it - and cancer, mainly mammary tumours, worse in female rats but still present in male rats.
- find a local fancy rat society for help finding a breeder and support once you've got your rats
- they're sensitive to cold but more sensitive to hot climates.

That's all I can think of right now. Ask me any questions you want - I had rats for about five years.

[foxfirefey]

During that time, they will try to have sex with any other rat present, and will not want to be touched by a human.

Or they'll decide that you are REALLY sexy and they are unable to leave you alone and go explore like they normally do and instead flirt with you incessantly trying to get you to chase them with your hand, and then freeze and arch their back and flutter their ears in utter ecstasy.

[juliet]

This was always my experience with girl rats in heat! Certainly we never had don't-want-to-be-touched rats.

Girl rats tend to be a bit more explorey than boy rats (once they're grown up -- *all* baby rats are excitable and run around). Running around on the sofa is top fun for them.

Rats are *awesome* but the sit-still-be-petted thing is v variable between individual rats (I've had lap-rats and not-lap-rats) -- as above, boys may work out better (but smell a little more -- not outrageously so, though).

Definitely definitely get a couple of whatever caged animal you're considering, though (unless it's a hamster, I guess -- hamsters are solitary beasts but tend not to be so human-sociable either as a result). Two caged critters are v little more work than one, and won't get lonely when the humans are busy.

[draigwen]

Unfortunately our girls never flutter their ears for me, but they do for my other half. :(

I'd second (third? fourth?) the suggestion of rats - in pairs. But if you want animals that sit still, you're better off getting boys than girls and boys are more likely to settle when they get older. (when they're young the chance of getting them to sit still on your lap are slim to none unless you ensure they're tired out first).

[pauamma]

They like electronic cables. You will want to keep them away from electronic cables.

That sounds like a recipe for disaster, considering that (IIRC) ysobel uses a power wheelchair - which means lots of cables all critical to normal operation.

[vass]

They're OK if they're supervised. She'd never be able to leave them alone with her chair, though, just like she couldn't leave them alone with a computer.

[forthwritten]

How do you feel about male rats? The girls (does) tend to be bouncy and hyperactive - my two are definitely not laprats! - but boys (bucks) tend to be bigger, lazier and likely to be content sitting on a lap getting cuddles. Rats are social creatures so you'd need to have at least a pair, but it's fun watching them interact with each other.

Rats like having space and toys, they need to have free-range time and a lot of the commercial diets you can buy for them are pretty poor quality. My two live in an 80x50x50cm cage, they have a rat-proofed area in my stairwell and I mix their food from high quality rabbit and dog food and human-grade cereals and grains. They do make wonderful pets though - they're bright, inquisitive and seem to genuinely enjoy being around people. Mine groom me, come when I call and can often be found about my person.

fancy-rats.co.uk is UK-based but the best forum I've found for rat care. Sorry for being tl;dr over this - if there's anything you'd like to know do ask.

[helens78]

My first thought was guinea pigs! They are wonderful companions, and if they get regular attention, can be very happy to be lap pets and very snuggly. They are also pretty easy to take care of, and make pleasant videogame noises. :D (Well, I think it's pleasant and adorable, but mileage likely varies. YouTube video of super-noisy baby cavies -- adult guinea pigs tend to get excited like that mainly at feeding time. :) )

[zarhooie]

Chinchilla.

[sporky_rat]

Guinea pigs!

[mathsnerd]

Guinea pigs (personal experience) work well under what your restrictions would be. Bunnies can be ... a little temperamental and possibly a problem with the chairs. Also an older cats, as mentioned earlier, could work well. Do keep us updated!

[killing_rose]

I second the chinchilla suggestion. I know we looked into them years and years ago when we didn't have dogs or cats. Soft, fuzzy, and didn't flip out at small children handling them. (I was 7 or 8 the first time we looked, I think. And we had the type of critters that put up with being terrorized, so I hadn't quite figured out how not to piss off a pet.)

Otherwise, we've had a couple older cats over the years that have done really, really well with wheelchairs, walkers, and slow-moving, easily overbalanced people. Older ginger male kitties have worked the best for our household, to be honest.

And I'm not certain about bunnies; though we've never had them, the couple that friends have had were aggressive and high strung at the best of times.

[highlander_ii]

Chinchillas are lovely pets. They have the bonus of being 'not smelly' (like guinea pigs or hamsters). However, they're not always 'lap' pets. They like to bound and jump and run. They generally don't mind petting, but you have to hold on to them to keep them in your lap.

Rabbits can be litter trained and can be very nice pets.

Cats are good too. =)

:-)

[elke_tanzer]

I have no real productive suggestions but want to applaud this research.

/random noises of encouragement

:-)

(I have a ginger male cat, and he's a complete dork. Cat personalities vary a lot from cat to cat.)

[greenbirds]

I have a little female dwarf Siberian hamster, and she is a-fricking-dorable, and a sweetheart. Probably a little small for your tastes, but they're ridiculously cute, soft little fluffballs.

Also, not furry but generally soft and cuddly and sweet (providing you buy well-raised ones from a reputable breeder): cockatiels. But make sure if you do this you get a well-socialized bird: random petstore birds tend to be flighty and nippy. They're not especially loud as birds go, and my boy will sit on my chest/shoulder/in my lap for hours soaking up love if I let him.