Posted on by astyrra_713s8o

flyingtentacledlampfucker:

the holidays are coming up, and as someone who works in a pet store there are some things i want everyone who plans on getting animals as gifts to remember:

  • fish tanks need to be set up and running for at least one week before fish can be put it. all fish need treated water and bacteria supplements.
  • fish can only survive in a plastic bag for about an hour.
  • THE ONLY fish that can go in a bowl is a BETTA. all other fish, especially goldfish, will die/be very unhealthy in bowls.
  • goldfish are supposed to live for up to 20 years. don’t get all high and mighty for keeping one alive for a few months. they have long life spans when taken proper care of.
  • hamsters cannot live together. when they grow up, they become incredibly territorial and aggressive. they are asocial creatures that do not get along with each other.
  • guinea pigs can’t go in hamster wheels or balls. they get spinal injuries from being in a curved position and sometimes die.
  • rats and guinea pigs do better in groups/pairs.
  • hamsters, mice, rats, guinea pigs, cats, and pretty much every single animal can’t live inside a sealed box. they will die. don’t do it.
  • puppies get destructive. they break things and make messes and are loud. they need to be trained. don’t get a puppy if you don’t want to deal with training a large animal.
  • don’t fucking take kittens and puppies away from their mothers prematurely just because they’re cute. it can affect them forever.
  • cats will scratch your furniture and knock things over. declawing cats is a physically harmful and scarring process that literally permanently mutilates their paws. don’t get a cat if you aren’t willing to be patient with them.
  • birds are LOUD. SO LOUD. and incredibly messy. and they bite.
  • most lizards can get up to two feet long. some can live for 20 years. don’t get a baby bearded dragon and expect it to stay that small forever. they reach their full size within a year.
  • pets are real and they have needs. their needs are not luxuries. don’t treat them like they don’t matter.