Perfect pet........rabbit, gerbil, kitten or bird???

[fowltemptress]

Honestly, I really would skip the bird, and hope that the kittens and a rat or two will take his mind off it. Adults have a hard enough time being proper caretakers for birds . . . it just is not a good idea for an eight year old at all.

 

[Farm Chic]

so far, my cat hates having the kittens around he hasn't tried to attack them, just hisses and growls a little. last night though, when I brought him into bed with me (ritual) he could smell the kittens (they were on it earlier) and he got very mad at me. he hissed, growled and he even tried to swat me. i have never tolerated any of that behavior from my cat and he knows it! he knows not to snip at me when we I am petting and I happen to hit his sensitive spot and if he does, he immeditaly apologizes. last night, he made me nervous and i didn't feel that i could trust him after that. he did get a smack though and was told not to hiss and growl at me and when he went to the door because he wanted out, he lept up at me while hissing. so i am not exactly sure at this point what is normal behavior. i hope that he will come around and love us again and be the greatest cat he has always been! i'm afraid that he may not warm up to this and we may have to get rid of the kittens. because of course my cat is not going anywhere!

 

[SimplcitiyAltered]

Quote:
So true all three of ours can make you see lights if they decide to scream in your ear.
I often wonder "what was I thinking?"

The sun, jenday, nanday and pantagonian are the loudest and of course my nansun he is a hybrid between a sun and nanday. They can be sweet and cuddly oh but watch out for the mood swings. ouch.

 

[nerfy]

Farm Chic,
It takes time. Your cat is used to being king, and 2 kittens are a big change for him. There always is an adjustment period when introducing new critters, heck, chickens are just as bad or worse!
Let him know he will always be top cat, provide a little extra loving for him. Scolding can make it worse. He feels betrayed. Before you know it, peace and harmony will return to your house. Be patient.

 

[Anny]

Gerbils don't care to be held to much so if he wants a pet he can hold they are not the way to go.

I find that male cats grow up to be more playful then female cats (with my own personal cats anyways)
The male cats are more cuddly as well (neutered male cats I should add)

 

[nerfy]

I have both male and female cats that love to cuddle and play. All fixed of course.
I have a few of females that love to play fetch, and have quite the appetite for affection. I also have males that thrive to be pet and cuddled, and have very playful antics.
Others have the the either or syndrome. I also have 3 cats that I bottle fed since they were 1 day old. Two of them 1 male 1 female from the same litter that can be over affectionate at times...love to jump on my back without claws out of course. (I do NOT declaw) The other male likes to cuddle...a lot!
I think it just depends on the cats personality, how it was raised, and where they came from. I have been fortunate to tame a few feral cats that I have found homes for and adopted myself. My male Seymour has been in my house for 2 years now.He is about 7 years old, does not like to be picked up, but is quite the "pet me monster", and snuggles with me every night.
Then there's Momma Kitty. I took 3 litters of kittens from her. She despised me for good reason. A lot of hissing and swatting, but I was able to pet her and got love rubs about 6 months later after she wax fixed. She is living the good life now, on my bed. Still skittish, but has one of the loudest purrs I ever heard from a cat.
I have a few feral TNR (Trap Nueter Return) cats that will probably never be tame, but will still care for them, and hope that that day will come when I can get them off the street.
Of all the cats I have had, not one has been alike.

 

[cherrychicken]

I would STRONGLY recommend a guinea pig. I had a very sweet one and they seem perfect for him! They are gentle, loving, interactive and cuddly! Pm me with any Qs or concerns thanks
-jenny

 

[redhen]

i think that birds are to fragile for an 8 year old..espically if he intends to handle them...um..bunnies are alot of work...guinea pigs also..but they ARE great...um.what about a little turtle..

..rats are good also..as long as you keep them tame..or they can bite..but so will bunnies and guinea pigs if not kept tame..so..

...fish?..LOL..good luck..let us know what he gets..Wendy..

..

 

[Farm Chic]

so far my cat won't come into the house after the last night when he was VERY mad at me! I have to feed him outside and I hate that. He won't even come in at night to sleep on my (his) bed and cuddle with me. If I am outside doing stuff, like in the garden, he will be out there with me as usual. But if he sees that I am heading back to the house, its almost like he is trying to keep me from leaving. He will walk in front of me very slowly and turn back and look at me with pittying eyes and meow. So I feel horrible and stay to pet him and love him. He is a very loving cat who loves to be with his people iniside or outside. My hubby went up north to go fishing so I think it is really hard for both me and desmo (my cat) to try to make this easier!

on another note, we tried fish, that was fun but I had to clean the tank and that was not fun! I am still not sure about a bird. I think there are quite a few mixed opinions about all animals being nice or mean. my son is really having a lot of fun with the new kittens!! he still has a lot to learn about babies though. He can't quite seem to grasp the idea that they are small and they have teeth and claws and they are not sure what they are for yet. or when playing, he tries to get them to jump really high and run really fast! he also has it in his head that he can train them to play, catch, fetch, hunt and come to him when called by name. Yes I know that can be the case b/c desmo comes when called, however they are still only kittens and they will grow to be very much independent thinkers!

I like the idea of a turtle. how hard can that be?? not very expensive? any thoughts on kinds?

 

[Farm Chic]

Quote:
where do you suppose I order an elephant?? I can't imagine what the shipping charges would be?! and then names, I am having trouble trying to come up with cool names for the new kittens!