Pet Help?

[.Middy.]

I have been planning on getting a pair of rats, but sadly my step-dad has decided I can't get them until I move out. Simply because he is insanely allergic to like everything under the sun. Since my mom wont let me force him into a bubble to live in allergy free, I sadly can not get the pets I want.

So I need some help on what pet I should get! Of course it has to be good for people with allergies or has to have a way I could keep it outside or somehow control the dander/whatever causes the allergies. Nothing is really off limits as long as I can find a way to keep the allergens away from my step-dad somehow.

I'd love to hear your ideas!

[Cardinal]

Betta fish? >_> They thrive in a 5 gallon heated and filtered tank and are very undemanding with care once you get past the nitrogen cycle. Weekly water changes, feeding once a day with different foods like pellets, live food, or frozen blood worms/brine shrimp. Thats really it.

Are you interested in any reptiles? Crested geckos are generally undemanding. A 20 gallon high is food for a female pair. They don't mind room temperature and need no special lighting. There's prepared diets on the market and these little guys are normally friendly.

Mantises are awesome little pets, as well. If you get some local species they do fine at room temp. A 10 gallon with a few potted plants works great. Feed crickets a few times a week and you're golden.

[.Middy.]

I am planning on getting another betta as soon as we move. Since my last one died at the start of October.

I dont think I would want a Crested Gecko, they just dont seem like much fun to me.

I'm not aloud to get any type of insect, no one in my family would even go near the tank, and that would make it hard to feed if I was out of town. Thanks for the suggestions though, I do want something I can get out and enjoy, not something that just sits in a tank/cage/whatever.

[Grimace]

All reptiles are allergy friendly, unless they have a diet of something you are allergic to.

[.Middy.]

I understand that, but I have no idea about the different species of Reptiles, or anything of the sort. That's why I'm asking for a specific breed to be recommended so I can go and research that breed to see if I want to look at them.

[Saracirce]

I would be hesitant about reptiles, even if they're allergy friendly. Most lizards require you to feed live bugs, which you said you can't have. Not to mention care can get downright complicated, be very expensive (vet care, food, uv lamps if needed, heaters), and there are quite a few that generally don't like/can't be handled.

If you're seriously considering reptiles, I think possibly a corn snake or ball python might fit you. With either of these, you have to be okay with at least feeding pre-killed or frozen thawed rats/mice.

[Grimace]

You could always get a uromastyx, as they don't eat meat at all. They need really really high temps though.

[Jazi]

All reptiles are allergy friendly, unless they have a diet of something you are allergic to.

Well. Yes and no. The reptiles themselves produce no allergies except for a very rare reaction to their saliva (which would require them biting/mouthing you), but people can be allergic to their bedding. Granted a corn or BP on paper towels would be the closest to allergy free a pet can get, so.

If you're considering a reptile, please please please make sure you'll be open to research and advice. Cause while reptiles are awesome, they do require specialized care and they need to be provided this specialized care in order to thrive. Reptiles are especially hardy and even the more sensitive species CAN live in incorrect environments for deceptively long amounts of time if you don't know that reptiles can live decades longer than most of our mammal pets, so surviving for 3 months is NOT a good run at all.

[.Middy.]

I can have feeder bugs, but not bugs as pets.

I'll definatly check out Corn Snakes though, since my mom is scared to death of pythons (bad experience involving her alseep and the snake wrapping around her feet.)

Don't worry Jazi, I always do research before I decide to get a pet.

Anyone have any experience with Corn Snakes or Hedgehogs?

[Saracirce]

Well, with feeder bugs, you have to keep them for at least 24 hours before they become food as you MUST gutload and possibly dust them for them to be the best they can. It's also substantially cheaper to breed your own, rather then buying each time, and you'd essentially be treating them like pets. Giving them the best foods possible, giving them a 'habitat', and making sure the colony is generally healthy. That's what it takes to make sure your reptile is getting the best insects it can.