I want a pet in a 600 ft apartment

In My Humble Opinion
1

First off, pets are allowed in my building. I’ve been thinking about a cat, but I’m not a cat person, I’m a dog guy. I refuse to get a dog because I don’t want to coop it up all day when I go to work, I live in the city, the apartment is too small, and though there is a very small clearing next to the building - Piedmont Park is a quarter mile away. I need a yard before I get a dog again. Hell, I want land.

Anyway, I’m here in a small studio. Be advised that if I get anything I will take care of it for it’s natural life. The two leading options are a cat and a rat and even a rat will get primo vet care. I can’t have a dog, but I want a companion

My question to you good people is what should I get?

No reptiles, amphibians, or fish. I already have plants to look at.

2

Heck, you could easily fit a 50 foot woman in a 600 foot apartment, she wouldn’t even need to duck.
On a slightly more serious note, I think that rats make cool pets

3

Perhaps a bird of some sort? Get a talking one (parrot, cockatiel, etc). They can be great companions.

4

What about a very active, very friendly, very dog-like cat?

5

Some breeds of dogs are rather sedentary and don’t require lots of exercise outside of a daily walk (those short, squat, fat, drooly bulldogs come to mind).

6

Hamsters are pretty cool. They aren’t the most exciting creatures on God’s green earth, but mine keeps me entertained.

7

Get a chinchilla, maybe? They’re very cute. But personally, I’d want the cat.

8

Maybe a ferret?

Or a bird - my sister was never a bird person but has been converted and is getting a Pionus Parrot.

Every cat has a different personality - you may find one you like at your local shelter.

9

ShibbOleth, I tend to like my women shorter than me, and I can’t seem to find one to share my apartment anyway, so I don’t think you’re idea is going to work. I’m still thinking about getting a rat, though

Mr. Blue Sky, to me, cooping up a bird would be even worse than cooping up a dog. I could not own a bird unless I owned an aviary. I couldn’t stand to clip it’s wings and I don’t want to cage an animal.

Kayeby, that’s what I want. However, I fear that I won’t get that kind of cat when I go to the Humane Society. You never know till you live with it.

Torgo, in my 28 years on the planet the laziest dog I have ever seen is the greyhound. They are known to be fast, but they do absolutely nothing all day. English bulls and blood hounds are more active. Regardless of the breed, any dog will get stir crazy in 600 sq ft. I’ve raised a dachsund/snauser mix (childhood) , a pit-bull (roomate’s - I taught it everything it knows, and unfortunately, me and his parents are the only people Sunday minds), a cocker-fucking-spaniel (different roomate’s … It minded me better than him, but I hated the damn thing), and a lab/chow/pit/pointer mix (Maya) that was my pride and joy until she left me. Anyway, I’m leary of small breeds. In my experience they are yappy and stupid. I want a lab, hound, pointer, or bull. The smallest I could tolerate would be in the hound category - a beagle. But still, no dogs.

In short, what can I get besides a dog?

Happy, hamsters have no personality.

What I want, is somebody to tell me about rats.
On preview (took my time):

** Melandry**, um, I don’t even know what a chinchilla is.

porcupine, maybe I will go with a cat. I am a dog guy, but I like cats just find.
Anyway, I know dogs, I know cats. I want to know rats and other animals … (no ferrets, sorry.)

10

Actually, they’re a kind of rodent. Here’s a good link with basic information and pictures, and here are some addresses for breeders and dealers of Chinchillas in Georgia.

11

Rabbit? I think that there’s a Doper who wouldn’t mind letting you have his.

12

Before ruling out a dog, you might want to look into the Shiba Inu. They are bred to be pets in Japan, where people live in small apartments. They clean themselves like a cat, and I don’t think they are known for barking. As apartment dogs go, they’re pretty good. And yet, they have more of a ‘big dog’ temperament. They aren’t shivering yappy dogs like Chihuahas.

I wouldn’t rule out a bird, either. You don’t have to keep it caged. I had an African Grey parrot, and the only time it was in the cage was when I wasn’t home. The bird had its own open bird stand and plenty of toys to play with. African Greys are also incredibly smart - perhaps smarter than monkeys. They make really good companions. And they talk amazingly well. They can even be taught to use words appropriately - to call people by name, and ask for their favorite treats by name. That’s pretty darned smart. We even took our bird on car rides - it would perch on the seatback by my head and have a great time.

I wouldn’t worry about the cage thing, as long as you get one big enough for the bird to stretch its wings out fully (for something like an African Grey, that’s maybe 4ft high, and 3 x 4 feet in width and depth). After all, most birds spend their lives just sitting on perches. They don’t really need to roam around to be happy. Give the bird some toys, plenty of fresh seed and water and a clean cage, and you’ll have a happy bird.

If you want a small mammal, check into Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, Hedgehogs, and the usual assortment of common mammals like mice and hamsters. The big problem with these animals is that many of them are nocturnal, so all they’ll do when you want to play is sleep.

13

If you want a companion and not just a pet you have two choices: a dog or a cat.

I thought of myself as a dog person until I got my cat and fell in love with him. Some cats are snobby, aloof, and boring, others are friendly, loyal, and intelligent. Luck of the draw.

If you do get a cat, get a male, since they tend to be more outgoing and “dog-like” than females. Also be sure to have him neutered as soon as possible to prevent him from becoming territorial and spraying the walls and furniture. Don’t ever let him outside – your life will be much simpler if you don’t have to worry about diseases and injuries. 600 square feet is fine for a cat, as long as you play with him every once in awhile to keep him from going stir-crazy.

When you chose a kitten, spend half an hour watching and playing with them until one endears itself to you. Forget about looks – pick the friendliest, most playful (but not aggressive) one. Don’t bother with the one hiding in the corner, since it will most likely be distrustful of humans. Try to get one from the animal shelter instead of a pet store. If you’re feeling extremely generous get an adult cat – nobody wants them and they’re very likely to be put to sleep. Grown-up cats aren’t as energetic or cute as kittens but they can still make good pets.

14

As the happy owner of a Shiba Inu, I would NOT recommend a Shiba as an apartment dog. I know, I know, all the books say they do well in apartments, but I have to completely disagree. Our Shiba is extremely mellow as far as Shibas go - all the others I’ve met are much more energetic. Still, we’re in the process of spending several thousand dollars to fence the backyard of our new house because we just don’t feel that he’s going to have a happy life being an indoor dog all the time. We walk him 2-3 times a day, and still, after only 2 weeks cooped up in our 2000+ square foot house, I can tell he’s not happy. Shibas need to RUN. They need to play and jump and be agile. You should see the leaps he can do. A Shiba in a 600’ apartment would drive you nuts.

15

I live in a 800 sq foot house, and for many years I had three cats who were indoor only babies, and who were very happy. I think you should get a cat. You may not be a cat person, but trust me…You can be a not cat person and still love and adore your OWN cat. I am down to one cat, the others lived until age 18 and then left me, and I miss them both every day. I especially miss my Balinese, and I would recommend that breed for you. Very mello, very “dog-like” in a lot of ways. Also very beautiful.

16

Actually, in my research for a great dog breed I’ve read that Golden Retrievers even though big are a GREAT dog for a small appt dweller and the elderly. Evidently they adapt wonderfully to any environment, their personality is like that. I would DEFINATLY have one if not for the long hair… I am ashamed to admit that I am VERY lax about brushing the dogs and a long haired dog would quick become matted.

17

Why no ferrets? I have one, and he’s awesome. He sleeps about 18 hours a day in his big cage and entertains and adores me the other six.
We even play outside as long as he’s on his leash. We bought him one of those play globes to roll around outside in too, but it freaks him out too much!
Eh anyway, ferrets rock :slight_smile:

18

BUNNY!!!

19

I wouldn’t recommend a Golden Retriever for Beebelrox. He/she doesn’t seem to want to cage an animal up all day while away, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking to have to do this, especially to a puppy who’s going to whine.

A bunny might be a good choice, because you can train them to go in a litter box just like a cat. Not sure how playful/entertaining they might be.

I think the OP could get used to a cat, too. There are some big breed cats out there (like the manx coon) that are big and cuddly like dogs.

With any animal, i think it depends on how much love and attention you give them that helps form their personality. Then again, I’m no cat expert. I suppose some of them will just always be bitchy and aloof :slight_smile:

20

I live in a tiny tiny excuse for a house, and I just got a cat, and my cat is the best thing in the entire world.

I got my cat from an orphaned kitten project. They find kitten whos mothers died in birth or directly after, and raise them by hand (bottle feeding them and the whole bit). My cat came fixed and vaccinated, and as acclimated to people as possible. This cat is rarely more than five feet away from me, and usually tends to be sitting or sleeping on my lap, or draped across me feet, or curled around my head. He is really really cool. If you want dog-like…well…my cat even plays fetch.

I bet if you asked at vets, the could recommend a similar projects. Cats can be really really awesome pets (granted I am a cat person), with as much personality and affection as dogs, and they are sooo much easier to take care of.