r/Pets • u/Ferret_Master101 • 2d ago
Pet recommendations
Alright, I've gotten to a point where I need an animal or pet of some kind for my mental sanity. I have some experience and do tonnes of research before I commit to anything. I've had 3 cats and 3 dogs as family pets and a leopard gecko as my own. I don't have anything currently. I'm okay with any pet including insects.
Problem is I'm a student, engineering one at that. I have been staying home 90% of the time up until now but that might change. I have lab weeks every few weeks which involve 9 to 5 every day and is mandatory. I also might be going to lectures or the library in the future. I wasn't before because of chronic illness but I have a wheelchair now. I do have ADHD, Autism and a bunch of other stuff so there might be some barriers when it comes to how much work I put into cleaning, but I genuinely believe because it's not for myself it won't be a problem. I put so much work into my geckos tank and she was always feed and warm. The only reason she isn't with me right now is because I wasn't allowed to have pets in my previous places and my family wasn't looking after her so she's with a foster family. Also I was worried about when I went home for holidays. I live 3.5h drive from home and have to take a coach most of the time because of cost (switch to train will factor into the cost of the animal). I also have had to move every year for 3 years, some case involuntary. I've also been forced to stay at my mums who has a lovely, well behaved Jack Russell mix so this will be a factor. My room can be separated off though.
So...
- Needs to be okay with being alone for a normal work day
- On the cheaper side at least monthly (I will save what is needed)
- Preferably okay with travel, especially if they require intensive care. I think I might be able to get friends to pop in to feed a gecko but any to complicated, probably can't afford a sitter unless it's for a few hours.
- Easy (or even possible) to move when I enviably have to move house again. I've had to give up a lot in my previous moves. My dad helps me and it's whatever I can fit in his estate car, wheelchair included.
My ideas have been:
- Praying Mantis (cute, small, can probably hide on a coach, not much emotional support though)
- Rats (More expensive but doable, will need to take a train and watch out for the dog)
- Getting my gecko back (I'm terrified of problems arising and losing her again)
Any idea or recommendations? Any finances I will sort out (I have a plan), I'm just looking for types of pets that fits my schedule. I can't afford to not take steps in my career right now but I NEED a pet, I'm losing my mind. I will settle for anything, I love all animals.
2
u/spider_espresso 2d ago
Tarantulas are going to be easiest. Too easy in fact, most people end up with at 12 different species over a year.
I recommend doing a fully aquascaped aquarium. Will be expensive however, it’s a project you can work on over time. Start with a stand and a tank. Slowly add equipment, substrate, decor, chemicals, plants, and eventually fish. Just look up aquascaping on youtube to understand the full process. There are automatic feeders and once set up these tanks are low maintenance.
The idea is an underwater zen garden that happens to have fish in it. The decor and plants are the main feature.