irresponsable pet owners

[MiniLopHop]

Majorv, wow, I have never heard of gerbils who bite. I guess there are extremes in personality for every species. I'm sorry you had a bad experience with them.

 

[Acacia-Berry]

Any pet store pet is a victim. Many turn to biting bc of the lack of socialization at an early age. My sister had a gerbil and was so turned off by it she never got one again. IT bit, was skittish and chewed worse than any other rodent she had. I thought they were always skittish too, judging from the ones in the pet store. I think its incredible that they can sit on your shoulders!!

**Also, Dulmit- I agree. When I got Acacia 4 and a half years ago I was totally unprepared for her. I gt her bc my roommate wanted a friend for her male and I always wanted one. After she was spayed she still did not get along with the other bunny. She tolerated him but didn't like him. And I'm STILL learning about bunnies. I think that's half the fun of owning one. A list comprised by us would be helpful to a new owner bc pet stores just don't prepare you for the pubescent bunny! The terrible two's!! The hormones, the pee spraying, the picky diets, the importance of hay, the exclusion of sugar treats etc. . . They sell you small plastic cages and some bunnies live their entire lives in those things.

 

[Colorguarder08]

Acacia-Berry wrote:

Any pet store pet is a victim. Many turn to biting bc of the lack of socialization at an early age. My sister had a gerbil and was so turned off by it she never got one again. IT bit, was skittish and chewed worse than any other rodent she had. I thought they were always skittish too, judging from the ones in the pet store. I think its incredible that they can sit on your shoulders!!

**Also, Dulmit- I agree. When I got Acacia 4 and a half years ago I was totally unprepared for her. I gt her bc my roommate wanted a friend for her male and I always wanted one. After she was spayed she still did not get along with the other bunny. She tolerated him but didn't like him. And I'm STILL learning about bunnies. I think that's half the fun of owning one. A list comprised by us would be helpful to a new owner bc pet stores just don't prepare you for the pubescent bunny! The terrible two's!! The hormones, the pee spraying, the picky diets, the importance of hay, the exclusion of sugar treats etc. . . They sell you small plastic cages and some bunnies live their entire lives in those things.

Not EVERY pet store pet is a vitcim. I have bought two birds (only wanted the one but its a long story so will save that for later) they are well cared for I used to be able to take the pied cockatiel out of the cage until I moved in with tay now it's like starting back at square one. The Lutino Cockatiel has been at square one since I bought them. They get Zupreem pellets daily I work with them daily food and both water dishes are washed out daily their cage is cleaned daily. Then Sweet Heart (tays bunny) was bought first she was dirt cheap $5 was the cost of the bunny she gets great care. Fresh hay and veggies daily, a little bit of pellets, hay, chew toys, daily handling and out of cage time. Then theres Freckles who was also cheap $10 bought from the same pet store as Sweet Heart and gets fresh hay, working on getting her to eat veggies she loves apples so she gets one a week, she gets a few pellets, toys, daily handling and out of cage time. How are these animals vitcims? yes I know not every animal is given as good of care as these ones are and MOST are vitcims however you can not say any pet store pet is a vitcim they have the potential to become a vitcim but that is true with any animal.

 

[Kipcha]

Acacia-Berry wrote:

Any pet store pet is a victim.

I generally agree that pet store animals are not as fortuanate, but not ALL pet stores are evil, you know.
I know someone who owns their own pet store and she takes better care of her animals then some owners do. They get huge cages, their food is the best they can get and they get well socialised.
Some pet stores take excellent care of their animals, they are just a little more rare. But all pet stores should not have to suffer with that reputation because of a few others are bad.