Looking into purchasing a small mammal...

I can't even imagine... that just seems completely unreasonable to me. I hope you can have your friend just sortof "borrow" your kitty so you can perhaps have her back when you move out from home.... I have four cats... that would SERIOUSLY suck. A hamster is your basic easy-to-care-for, not-too-smelly, fits-in-a-cage pet, and I guess would be OK. If you're up for something a little more exotic and challenging, you might consider a chinchilla. They ARE odorless, hypoallergenic, flea-free, incredibly soft, and about the size of a VERY small rabbit. Here's a decent web site: http://www.huggablepets.com/huggablepets/chininfo.shtml

Oh how sad! I am sorry to hear that you have to give your cat up. I have always enjoyed ferrets. They are playful, funny and enjoyable to hold and you can take them with you. They do need to have a bath about once a week or they develop an odor. They are cat box trainable and they enjoy human company. I had two of them and I had constant laughs because of things they did. I miss them.

Maybe now isn't a good time for you to have a pet. How about volunteering with animals instead? It sounds like you don't have control over what happens to the pet. What about paying for food? Do you pay for food, supplies, and what about vet bills? If not, how do you expect that the animal will be treated for illnesses? And yes, even hamsters need to see the vet. You need to think beyond yourself. Yes, you want an animal. But an animal is a living creature. Is it best for the animal to be brought into your situation? Keep in mind that hamsters live 2 to 3 years, sometimes 5 years. Where will you be in 2-3 years? Will you still be able to care for the hamster? Or is your hamster going to be just another hamster at the animal shelter in a few months when your dad says the cage smells? If you just have a need to be around animals, perhaps you could volunteer instead. There are many rescues and shelters that would probably be glad to have the help until you are out on your own and able to realistically have pets. Best of luck!

That is really sad especially since you had her for some time already. Maybe you could get a dog since dog is easy to train and can take a bath. You could get those small ones such as the chichuachua.

I know you said you want to buy a small mammal, but I don't have any suggestions for mammals...We have some geckos, though, and they are pretty cool pets. They're not high maintenance, and they are something that you can sort of play with. I mean, you can play with them as much as you can play with a hamster. They don't need much space and they are pretty chill little pets. Sometimes I get one of the calmest ones out of the cage and he just sits on my shoulder inside my shirt. I like them, but they might not be warm and fuzzy enough for you. And, it doesn't compare to a cat...

I read your other discussion about the cat and I'm very, very sorry. I don't think your dad should have done that. But anyway, I own a hamster, and I'll just say right now my hamster is harder to take care of than my cat was. You're supposed to wash the cage once a week. It takes hours to take it apart, empty it, scrub it clean, put it back together, and fill it up again. And if you forget to do it every week, it smells pretty bad. Hamsters ARE cute, but they eat a lot and need a lot of exercise, and also they're really noisy. But if you don't mind caring for it or putting up with it, and if it's okay with your dad, then hamsters are cute, even if they only live for two or three years (and the dwarf hamsters only live for one or two). But hamsters are precious! :) I hope you can deal with a new pet right now. Are you sure you cannot get your cat back? I would try. Anyway, if you're aiming for a small mammal, I'd go for ferret or rabbit if you want the best friend, even if they're a bit smellier. We used to own both. The ferret didn't smell too good and we had to bathe her quite a bit, but she was worth it. Ferrets are very smart and when they run, they sort of bounce. They'll play hide and seek and tag with you and are so precious. Well, good luck! I hope everything works out well for you and I hope whatever decision you make you enjoy yourself. *hugs*

if he is doing that, get rid of HIM maybe get another cat instead my wife is pressing for a THIRD cat