Which small critter for me?

[IRescue452]

It's likely a fennec fox is illegal in your area. If not, then probably in your building. Fennecs require as much socialization and human care as a puppy, their entire lives. They can be destructive, males spray and all fennecs dig wherever they can, including carpet. They are nocturnal by nature as well. Honestly, I think they shouldn't be pets.

STO are like slightly larger gerbils. I don't think one will be as cuddely as you want. They certainly can't be out playing with the dog or ferrets. They have a little more demanding dietary needs than your average rodent pet.

You'll need to also find a vet that treats exotics if you got one, before you got one. This can be more expensive than a dog or cat vet.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Have you considered a pair of rats? What about a reptile, maybe a Leopard Gecko?

[Blackrose]

It's likely a fennec fox is illegal in your area. If not, then probably in your building. Fennecs require as much socialization and human care as a puppy, their entire lives. They can be destructive, males spray and all fennecs dig wherever they can, including carpet. They are nocturnal by nature as well. Honestly, I think they shouldn't be pets.

Thank you for saying this. As I said, I hadn't been able to find information on them, so it was more of an attraction than anything. I found an informative website and have crossed them off of my "thinking about" list. And to tell you the truth, taking a wild animal and keeping it as a pet, unless they are tying to domesticate it, bugs me as well. Espeically when people just buy them for status symbols or because they are cute and then don't understand why their pet is acting like a wild animal.

STO are like slightly larger gerbils. I don't think one will be as cuddely as you want. They certainly can't be out playing with the dog or ferrets. They have a little more demanding dietary needs than your average rodent pet.

If the pet is able to stay in a cage except when I'm handling it, then it won't be around my other animals. But if the animal needed extensive out of cage time, then it would have to share the floor with the pup and the ferts.
From what I've read about their diets, they require meal worms (or wax worms, maybe?) along with fresh fruit and veggies. That isn't very much different than suplementing my Guinea Pig's and Cockatiel's diet.

You'll need to also find a vet that treats exotics if you got one, before you got one. This can be more expensive than a dog or cat vet.

Another thing that I had over looked. However, I did some searching, and there is an exotic vet about twenty minutes away from me. They treat ferrets, birds, cats, and other "exotic" animals.

Have you considered a pair of rats? What about a reptile, maybe a Leopard Gecko?

Actually, I haven't looked into rats. Thanks for the suggestion. I've always thought they were cute, but my mom is the kind of person who yells, "OMG, a rat, kill it!" I just looked up a bit about them and read a very small discription of them and they sound interesting.

I'd rather stay away from reptiles. I like them, but I'm more of a mammal person. I've just have no urge to own one.

[IRescue452]

STO apparently have a problem drinking from water bottles as youngsters and often get a mash of fruits to help them get their water intake. There is food specific to opossums online which would make up most of its diet, but I don't see it being sold in stores anytime in the near future.

You'd really enjoy rats. They are very smart and fun to interact with. They are also much more easier to care for than exotics. I think you'll find that once you are out on your own, you'll have less time and energy for all the pets that you'd love to have right now. Life changes, keep this in mind and wait a little while after you move to decide if the time is right for more pets.

[Chilli]

I was going to suggest rats, aswell.

Afterall, how could you resist the little guys?

I have eight at the moment, and couldn't ask for a more rewarding rodent. My boys are very cuddly and affectionate.. the girls like to just do more of their own thing. All of them are very smart. If you have any specific questions, just say so. I'll be happy to throw in any advice.

[Argranade]

How about a Hedgehog?

There really cute and easy to take care of, they come in different colours.

Life span from 4 to 6 years.

Here's a link of information.

http://oror.essortment.com/hedgehogpet_reqk.htm

There's also sugar gliders (nocturnal) and chinchillas.

[jesse_3]

I have a hedgehog, Kokomo, and she is great! You have to be careful though, you want to meet your hedgehog BEFORE you say you designate yourself to keeping it. They all have very different personalities, and some are not what I would call cuddly. If you take care of them really well, I have heard of some living up to ten years also...

[Genny]

Hey, Hedge Hogs are neat animals; I use to have one, but they aren't too cuddly if you're wanting an animal that likes to be loved and hugged on

I have NEVER had a fox of any kind and I don't know anyone that has. That would be a big challenge to own one of those. It would be really neat, but way more than I would want to handle right now! Besides it would probably be illegal

Sugar Gliders are very cute and sweet. My nephews had one for several years until it died and it was gentle and liked to be held most of the time.

But I'd say a rat sounds like a good choice for you. They seem to fit everything you said you wanted in a pet just about. I use to have one and he was really neat. Everyone here that has them seems to really be crazy about them. Plus they don't HAVE to be out with you ALL the time, especially if you get 2.

I thought about maybe a rabbit? Or do you want something a little more exotic than that!