How to stop an impulsive pet purchaser?

[DShaw]

1. your rabbit ate a rat lol?

I thought the same thing lol

[The Serpent Merchant]

I think you are asking the wrong group of people for advice on how to deter impulsive animal purchases...

[DooLittle]

I think you are asking the wrong group of people for advice on how to deter impulsive animal purchases...

Boy howdy ain't that the truth!!!!

[PweEzy]

I would convince her that she probably wants something smaller than a rabbit, like say a pet pair of rats, and that way she can take care of her pets while in the mean time she can also give you some free feeders if they have babies. You can also bring this up to your mom in saying that, when lil sis gets tired of taking care of them....you have the perfect solution!!

[Mike41793]

I would convince her that she probably wants something smaller than a rabbit, like say a pet pair of rats, and that way she can take care of her pets while in the mean time she can also give you some free feeders if they have babies. You can also bring this up to your mom in saying that, when lil sis gets tired of taking care of them....you have the perfect solution!!

best idea by far

[rebelrachel13]

That's a good idea, thanks! I love rats, and I wouldn't mind a couple feeders. I will bring this up to my sister subtly, just by asking her if she's considered rats at all. If it's inevitable that my sister is going to get a pet, I'd rather it be something less complicated and time-consuming (and carpet-consuming, lol).

[satomi325]

How about a virtual pet instead... :p
JK


No costs, no housing, no mess.

[Daybreaker]

I have three indoor bunnies, and I would NOT recommend them (rabbits) for someone who doesn't have a lot of time on their hands and who isn't responsible.

They're urine SMELLS awful, but can be tamed down with some vanilla extract added to their water bottles. I still clean cages at LEAST every other day, and sometimes even then I can still smell the urine (the bunnies are kept in our snake room as well). Also, their bedding gets anywhere and everywhere (I use aspen) and can be a pain to clean up on carpeted surfaces (it clogs vacuums easy too).

Also take into account clipping nails and buying lots of chews for them to gnaw on. My buns hate their nails being done, so it's a bit of a hassle to get them clipped (wrapping them in a towel to do it) and money for chews, cleaning products, food, toys, etc adds up quickly.

I'm a big fan of spaying and neutering as well, and that's PRICEY. My girl bunny was $200+ to get her spayed, and my last male I need to neuter will run me at almost $200. Neutering is definitely a MUST if you end up with a boy rabbit (ie from a petstore or whatnot) because they will spray all over the place (like a cat) and stain carpets/furniture if you don't clean it up quickly. Plus, bunnies live longer and healthier lives when they're fixed, but again that procedure isn't cheap.

I love my bunnies and wouldn't get rid of them for the world, but they are a BIG commitment and I recommend anyone to think really hard before taking one on as a pet. I think your sister would do better with a easier to care for pet.

Just my .02

[angllady2]

One thing no one else brought up, do either of them realize how BIG a bunny can get ?

I've seen them 2 plus feet long and at least 6 or 8 pounds. They don't stay tiny and cute for long. They get as big as most housecats.

A bunny that size needs a lot of room, are they prepared for that ?

You said it was an old cage, has either of them thought about the total expense of this "Easter Bunny" ? Sure $10 or $15 for a bunny is one thing, but close to $100 for all the necessary supplies could be enough to dampen mom's enthusiasm.

Gale

[warlord]

Sadly when it comes to mother daughter pets there's usually no stopping it