Comments on: Do You Prefer Predators or Prey?

By: Jodi

Jodi — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 17:14:51 +0000

Here is exactly why this is one of my favorite blogs, “It all comes down to poop.” I think this sums up my life perfectly. If you are in my ‘inner’ circle you know how to talk poop. Seriously, somehow or another the talk always turns to poop.

Here’s the thing about mice (I got a quick and dirty from an exterminator once) they pee when they walk, they reproduce like every month and their poop can contain a very dangerous virus. When you clean up their mess you are supposed to use a strong solution of clorox and spray the feces with the clorox and then pick it up with a paper towel. The Hantavirus is primarily in the western United States, but it is far safer to use these precautions when cleaning up poop you might find in your house.

For my part, I prefer the predator.

By: RumpyDog!

RumpyDog! — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:47:46 +0000

I had hamsters and gerbils as a kid, but have no desire to have them now. I think it’s more of the rodent relationship. Part of it is the horror stories of how rodents spread germs. But, more importantly, having a rodent for a pet almost guarantees I have a pet that came from a breeder mill, and I am not going to pay to keep those folks in business.

By: afFURmation

afFURmation — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 20:29:30 +0000

An interesting look at pet parenthood.

My house is mostly full of predators, but it has nothing to do with their poop habits. I had many prey creatures growing up when I couldn’t have a dog or cat and I love interacting with my parrots and bunny now. They can be just as much fun and loving as a dog or cat. People are often surprised to find that out when they add one to their family (of course like any pet, you get what you put in. No attention equals a pet that doesn’t give you attention).

Many prey can be trained to a litter box like a rabbit- http://rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html or to poop on command like a parrot- http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww71eii.htm . It takes time and patience just like house training a puppy, but most people don’t bother since the mess is contained to a cage. I do have to say I think it’s nicer to just remove a layer of paper from the cage and playstand floors than to pooper scoop the yard. And there is the added bonus that bunny poop is compostable.

By: Julie

Julie — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 04:10:11 +0000

Hmmm. . .I have never had “prey” as a pet, so I can’t really chime in 🙂 I have never even really wanted on . .although, I think bunnies are SO CUTE!!! I am all about the cats and dogs . . I think I like the attention that they give me!!

By: Jayne

Jayne — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 03:10:51 +0000

I have a guinea pig as well as two dogs (goldens….your Honey is a beauty) and a cat. Here’s my theory. Because they’re prey animals they are naturally skiddish and, so, are much harder to develop a relationship with. We’ve had Toby, the guinea pig, for five years and he still runs like his life depends on it when we try to pick him up. I know many people have lovely, friendly guinea pigs but I suspect my experience is more typical.

By: Kristine

Kristine — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 23:27:39 +0000

I had gerbils as a kid. The silly things lived for over five years, we were told they had a lifespan of two. I was bored with them after one.

I don’t know if it’s a poop thing or if it’s just that prey animals haven’t evolved as pets as long as dogs and cats have. They are mostly afraid of us and unless you know what you are doing – and I did not – they don’t really interact with their human owners in the way dogs and cats do. My gerbils were happier when I wasn’t bugging them and putting them in balls and rolling them across my kitchen floor. They did not care if I existed as long as I cleaned their cage and provided food and water. Dogs and cats actually seek out our attention. The relationship is a lot more rewarding for both.

Or maybe I was just the worst gerbil owner in the world?

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 19:50:58 +0000

Hmmm… I think I prefer the predators for a lot of reasons, but I have to agree with you on this one. I honestly never thought about it before, though!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 19:32:36 +0000

In reply to H and Flo.

So these architectural wonders of Flo’s: Are they Colonial Georgian or more contemporary in style? 🙂

I’ve never been close to hamsters but if your experience is typical, they’re much more fastidious than guinea pigs.

By: Nanny McFur

Nanny McFur — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 15:06:42 +0000

What a great insight. Makes sense to me too.

By: Jan

Jan — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 14:58:10 +0000

Except for a childhood bunny, I’ve never had any desire to own a prey as a pet. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with pooping or my own aggressive personality. Maybe I shouldn’t explore this too much.