What would be the best?

[Sevaede]

Go with the small mammal. Perhaps you can look on petfinder and find one to rescue in your area. The initial cost of a proper tank will be more than for a small mammal cage and it will take much more time to get it up and running proper.

Yep, that was the plan. They have a humane society where she lives and I was planning on visiting and taking her there to look at the small animals. I was thinking about the tank costs and whatnot and I agree, that would probably be a little difficult and confusing for someone who didn't know what they were doing.

[Sevaede]

Personally - I would choose a chinchilla as they live the longest of the small furry animals.

Are they of relatively low maintenance?

[Sevaede]

I think a hamster or a gerbil or a guinea pig is a good idea. Make sure she knows and wants it first though to avoid... you know. Most humane societies/shelters make everyone in the family be present when adopting any way. I would not suggest a chinchilla as a first pet. They can be difficult (never had one but knew one and did extensive research when I thought I would be able to get one.) If she can handle it, a rabbit may be good too. I would suggest a calm breed like a dutch.

Oh yeah, she knows because we've been talking about it for a while (and so do the parentals). I don't think she wants another hammie. It will probably be a gerbil or guinea pig because the previous experiences have been GREAT with them. A rabbit would be good but we would definitely have to take up the suggestion on a CALM one because the last one I had (we were living together) was NUTS towards anyone, and anything, but myself.

[Sevaede]

Yay puppies! Of course a bit on the biased side...heh, I say Pomeranians! They're really sweet loving dogs, and they're very furry and cuddly (well at least mine is!)

Well, then, we'll have to see if they have a Pomeranian at the shelter (if the parentals say yes) some time soon.

[Miss Z]

What do you think about a gerbil? I've had a gerbil for a week now and he's GREAT.

Well, I've never had a gerbil, but have been thinking about getting one for my brother, so I'm kind of in the same situation as you . Gerbils probably have the same maintenance as hamsters, but I understand they're quicker than hammies and escape easily from your hands. It sounds as if you really like your gerbil, so you're probably more experienced than me on this one

Are they of relatively low maintenance?

I really don't recommend chinchillas as a first pet. They can have rather highly strung temperaments and need a very large cage, so there's a lot of cleaning out to do, and they also need daily dust baths. They are also not that easy to tame accordinmg to some who have kept them in the past. They are beautiful to look at and have lovely soft fur, which does need special grooming. Of course there will be chins out there that are little angels, but not necessarily the majority. They're also pretty expensive too, over here you can pay well over £100 for one, that's just for the chinchilla, and they need a regulated diet to prevent them from getting ill. After my first rabbit died, I decided to have a look at chinchillas. Whilst I found them very sweet, holding them was as easy as holding wet soap. At the time I was 10 years old, but even now at 14 I don't know how well I could hold onto them. Also, a family friend who bred chinchillas for shows DID NOT recommend them as a young person's pet. One of the things she did say is that they are pretty much a life long commitment, apparently it's not unusual for chins to live well into their twenties, so unless your sister is prepared to care for a chin into life where she may be going to university and maybe even getting married, then maybe they're not the pet for her.

[carole]

How about a beautiful baby bunny , i was patting a minature rex at the pet shop, his fur was like velvet, the other bunnies were soft but nothing in comparison, they are so cute and cuddly and not too hard for a 13 yr old to look after

[BitsyNaceyDog]

This would probably get more knowledgeable responses in pet general.

I've pretty much had it all at one time or another. A lot of others on PT have too, you'll be more apt to find them in pet General though.

Fish are nice to look at but that's about it. I've never been too big on fish, though I know a lot of people here do really like them.

Hamsters aren't too hard to care for, but they aren't always the nicest of pets. I've had very easy going hamsters and very nippy hamsters.

Gerbils- I've not actually had one myself, but my husband had one when we were dating. I really liked the little guy, but he was really fast and hard to hold on to.

Guinea pigs are more work than smaller rodents. Mostly because there is more cleaning. I cleaned them daily as opposed to weekly for the smaller rodents. They of corse also need a larger cage than a lot of other pets. They tend to be very sweet though.

Rabbits are great, but they too need a larger cage and males often spray. They're no too difficult to litter box train though (I suggest a covered box).

Ferrets have always been a favorite of mine. They do have an oder though. They aren't too hard to care for but aren't the easiest either.

Chinchillas- I absolutely do not recommend a chinchilla. I love mine dearly, but they can be a rather difficult pet.

Rats are also one of my favorite rodents. They are a great pet to play with or to sit and watch TV with.

Mice are also a favorite of mine. Because of their small size they are less cleaning than a lot of other pets. Their cage also takes up less room. They're generally very sweet and easy to hold.

Cockatiels are probably my favorite small pet. Birds aren't for everyone though.

Budgies (parakeets) are also great, though I prefer cockatiels.

Most reptiles I don't recommend for kids (though 13 isn't really a kid anymore). Reptiles needs are often more challenging. I've never had a leopard gecko but from what I know of them they aren't too difficult and are generally a good starter reptile.

I don't know your family's situation with the divorce, but if there's any possibility of a move (especially to a rental house or apartment) I don't suggest a dog or cat.

If you have any questions please PM me, I'll be happy to help you if I can.
Good Luck!

[IRescue452]

Well the family seems to have quite a bit of experience so she could go with anything. I don't know why somebody thought of suggesting a chinchilla. Chinchillas in my experience aren't as aloof as people say, but they do need a big, multi-story preferrably, cage and lots of expensive stuff like dust bath. My sister's cage is the size of Autumn's 5 foot by 36" kennel. I'd personally go with the guinea pig. The are big enough to let out of the cage without holding them and are more friendly than gerbils I'd say. Not that you can't cuddle a gerbil, but they are small and quick. I guess it depends on her preference though. Good luck finding a nice pet.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I don't know why somebody thought of suggesting a chinchilla. Chinchillas in my experience aren't as aloof as people say, but they do need a big, multi-story preferrably, cage and lots of expensive stuff like dust bath. My sister's cage is the size of Autumn's 5 foot by 36" kennel.

You're right. Mine come right to the cage door whenever I walk into the room. They don't mind being touched, however they don't really like being held. When out of their cage they are nearly impossible to catch, they run and jump around so quickly, I always have to bribe them back into their cage. I don't really consider them aloof, but they aren't as personable as other animals.

[Misty_Pearl]

This would probably get more knowledgeable responses in pet general.

Ferrets have always been a favorite of mine. They do have an oder though. They aren't too hard to care for but aren't the easiest either.

[k!

I wouldn't recommend a ferret. While I love my ferrets and have had them for over 10 years - ferrets arn't normally an animal that likes to cuddle. I have heard of ferrets that liked to sleep and cuddle etc with it's owner but I have never had one personally; plus if the length of life was part of the choice - a ferret can live up to 12 years which is quite a long time. Ferrets also, if they are to stay in a cage need 4 hours and up of human interaction and play time daily - Not what I would call a low maintenance animal and ferret food is quite expensive. Of course that is if the ferret is properly taken care of.

I also had the privalage of being owned by more than one guinea pig and while they are great and sweet - they are VERY noisy and messy throwing their bedding everywhere. And an aquarium home is not the best choise as it can cause a lot of respiratory problems in your cavi.

Honestly if looking for ease of care and the length of life is not a consideration - a cat is the best choice. Easy to care for, loves to cuddle if in the mood, loves attention and all that you have to do is feed water and scoop a litter box. Quite the easiest animal to own.

[buttercup132]

Oh yeah, she knows because we've been talking about it for a while (and so do the parentals). I don't think she wants another hammie. It will probably be a gerbil or guinea pig because the previous experiences have been GREAT with them. A rabbit would be good but we would definitely have to take up the suggestion on a CALM one because the last one I had (we were living together) was NUTS towards anyone, and anything, but myself.

The last rabbit you had probly wasnt very socialized, and was there for scared of people. If you get one at a young age and socialize it properly then it should be fine. Or better yet go get one from the humane society so you know what the personality is good. I think rabbits make amazing pets I couldnt imagine my life without one. Anymore questions about them you can pm me.