Caged Rodents
12 August 2008, 11:58 AM
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Caged Rodents
So not to be accused of trolling the scoobynet pets thread:
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
12 August 2008, 12:00 PM
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So not to be accused of trolling the scoobynet pets thread:
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
your bored arent you?
saw my post and thought...
12 August 2008, 12:05 PM
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12 August 2008, 12:07 PM
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My sister had a hamster when she was in her early teens and it was only when she noticed a funny smell that she realised it had been dead for about a week, we suspect that she forgot to feed it, poor little thing 
12 August 2008, 12:13 PM
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12 August 2008, 12:15 PM
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If you are genuinely serious here, I guess it's a matter of each to their own. I have known people who have kept rodents, who claim they are sociable creatures. In fairness, I'm no expert on rodents, but mice and rats excluded, I don't know how well other types would survive in the wild.
I would imagine those who keep them, would claim that they are well looked after, albeit caged for the life span they have. I mean they are fed, watered, kept warm, often have funky stuff to play on. Maybe if we could talk to animals, they would tell us they are very happy in that environment for their short lives, who knows. Plus, considering the size of them, and the fact most cages are quite good these days, it's a fair size area for them.
Is it any worse to domesticate these animals, regardless of where they live their life, than any other animal we've done it with?
I would imagine those who keep them, would claim that they are well looked after, albeit caged for the life span they have. I mean they are fed, watered, kept warm, often have funky stuff to play on. Maybe if we could talk to animals, they would tell us they are very happy in that environment for their short lives, who knows. Plus, considering the size of them, and the fact most cages are quite good these days, it's a fair size area for them.
Is it any worse to domesticate these animals, regardless of where they live their life, than any other animal we've done it with?
12 August 2008, 12:20 PM
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If you are genuinely serious here, I guess it's a matter of each to their own. I have known people who have kept rodents, who claim they are sociable creatures. In fairness, I'm no expert on rodents, but mice and rats excluded, I don't know how well other types would survive in the wild.
I would imagine those who keep them, would claim that they are well looked after, albeit caged for the life span they have. I mean they are fed, watered, kept warm, often have funky stuff to play on. Maybe if we could talk to animals, they would tell us they are very happy in that environment for their short lives, who knows. Plus, considering the size of them, and the fact most cages are quite good these days, it's a fair size area for them.
Is it any worse to domesticate these animals, regardless of where they live their life, than any other animal we've done it with?
I would imagine those who keep them, would claim that they are well looked after, albeit caged for the life span they have. I mean they are fed, watered, kept warm, often have funky stuff to play on. Maybe if we could talk to animals, they would tell us they are very happy in that environment for their short lives, who knows. Plus, considering the size of them, and the fact most cages are quite good these days, it's a fair size area for them.
Is it any worse to domesticate these animals, regardless of where they live their life, than any other animal we've done it with?
It struck me as wierd that's all, we consider feeding and watering as sufficient reason to cage an animal for the rest of it's natural life, and keep it isolated from it's own kind.
However we do not allow zoo's to do the same, even with rodents. It (one the face of things) seems wrong, are we saying that rodents have no right to life?
12 August 2008, 12:26 PM
#10
Yes I am serious
It struck me as wierd that's all, we consider feeding and watering as sufficient reason to cage an animal for the rest of it's natural life, and keep it isolated from it's own kind.
However we do not allow zoo's to do the same, even with rodents. It (one the face of things) seems wrong, are we saying that rodents have no right to life?
It struck me as wierd that's all, we consider feeding and watering as sufficient reason to cage an animal for the rest of it's natural life, and keep it isolated from it's own kind.
However we do not allow zoo's to do the same, even with rodents. It (one the face of things) seems wrong, are we saying that rodents have no right to life?
In fairness, if we say it's unfair to keep rodents away from their own kind, then what about cats and dogs etc.? We have domesticated them and many people just have one of these animals as pets, thus isolating them.
12 August 2008, 12:32 PM
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I can get where you are coming from, but what's to say they aren't happy, and aren't having a decent life.
In fairness, if we say it's unfair to keep rodents away from their own kind, then what about cats and dogs etc.? We have domesticated them and many people just have one of these animals as pets, thus isolating them.
In fairness, if we say it's unfair to keep rodents away from their own kind, then what about cats and dogs etc.? We have domesticated them and many people just have one of these animals as pets, thus isolating them.
, if they don't want to be around their feet do the walking, and they also interact with their own kind while away from the house.As with dogs, they bond with the human and form a pack mentality so they have that interaction and are seldom isolated, you would never cage a dog as it would go insane in a matter of weeks.
So what makes it acceptable for rodents?
12 August 2008, 12:34 PM
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So not to be accused of trolling the scoobynet pets thread:
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
12 August 2008, 12:37 PM
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12 August 2008, 12:38 PM
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You can never domesticate a cat , if they don't want to be around their feet do the walking, and they also interact with their own kind while away from the house.
As with dogs, they bond with the human and form a pack mentality so they have that interaction and are seldom isolated, you would never cage a dog as it would go insane in a matter of weeks.
So what makes it acceptable for rodents?
, if they don't want to be around their feet do the walking, and they also interact with their own kind while away from the house.As with dogs, they bond with the human and form a pack mentality so they have that interaction and are seldom isolated, you would never cage a dog as it would go insane in a matter of weeks.
So what makes it acceptable for rodents?
How about snakes, reptiles etc, is keeping them cruel as well?
I understand what you are saying about cats, but I would imagine there are people out there, who don't allow their cats to go out, is this a cruel owner, as then that cat would not have an opportunity to interact with other cats?
I'm genuinely curious as to your thoughts.
12 August 2008, 12:40 PM
#15
They are their to teach kids about responsibility and mortality, spend 40 quid on cage, food, bedding, toys and a small biting rodent of your choice, leave it to its young owner and their lack of responsibility soon results in the realisation of the mortality of small rodents, for another 7 quid you can repeat until they get the message.
They are a bit of fun for kids, and some genuinely do love them to bits (sometimes litterally), not sure what its like for the rodent in question but they arent the most intellectual creatures and sleep a lot, remember life aint a picnic in the wild when you are small prey animal so you choice is two years of boredon in a caged either ignored and dragged out every five minutes or however long you last before you become lunch for something bigger.
We had a Hamster a couple of years back, the kids werent arsed after a while, and the f*cker got out and munched £400 quids worth of carpet, so if it was unhappy it got its revenge. The kids showed some interest and me and the wife dilligently looked after it, every week cleaning 20 miles of assorted rotostac (the missus started buying it off Fleabay) then it went all crusty, then lumpy, then died. The kitchen certainly smelt better !
They are a bit of fun for kids, and some genuinely do love them to bits (sometimes litterally), not sure what its like for the rodent in question but they arent the most intellectual creatures and sleep a lot, remember life aint a picnic in the wild when you are small prey animal so you choice is two years of boredon in a caged either ignored and dragged out every five minutes or however long you last before you become lunch for something bigger.
We had a Hamster a couple of years back, the kids werent arsed after a while, and the f*cker got out and munched £400 quids worth of carpet, so if it was unhappy it got its revenge. The kids showed some interest and me and the wife dilligently looked after it, every week cleaning 20 miles of assorted rotostac (the missus started buying it off Fleabay) then it went all crusty, then lumpy, then died. The kitchen certainly smelt better !
12 August 2008, 12:44 PM
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Cruel. As is caging birds, which I'd say is worse.
I really don't see the point in having an animal locked up where it must go at least a bit crazy.
I really don't see the point in having an animal locked up where it must go at least a bit crazy.
12 August 2008, 12:48 PM
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We, as people are not 'free'. We are born into a society with rules. What's the difference between that and a hamster in a cage? (which is more like a mansion when you consider the size of my late 'charlie' and her palace!
We let her run around in our living room most days, either on her own or in her ball. She loved being held and played with, plus we used to spoil her rotten with treats.
The same now applies to our cat, murphy.
So, do I have any hang-ups about keeping pets, no. Ok?
12 August 2008, 12:48 PM
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So not to be accused of trolling the scoobynet pets thread:
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
What benefit is there from keeping caged hamsters and gerbils, in fact any rodent for that matter. They spend their short lifes caged in a tiny area (or rolling round in a plastic ball) until they eventually die.
They don't "interact" with their owners and generally hide away all day or run for hours on a wheel in their cell, I mean cage. Typically introducing a partner ends in almost certain death would these small rodents be better living their lives in their natural habitat, doing what they do best?
It's strange when you think that people have a desire to cage these animals for thye entire duration of their natural (and short), yet also claim to love them.
(Fish tanks excluded)
12 August 2008, 12:57 PM
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12 August 2008, 12:58 PM
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12 August 2008, 01:04 PM
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So Henry the hamster or Gerald the gerbil is really getting quite a cushy life. Nice warm enclosure to live in, plenty of straw/hay/shredded paper/sawdust to make a nest in, few things to play with, and food constantly provided. Live a long and happy life and not get eaten by something within a few weeks/months of life. I'd do it if I were a gerbil
12 August 2008, 01:08 PM
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12 August 2008, 01:08 PM
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Out in the wild the majority of them will get eaten by predators so will never live out the duration of their short, natural life. They will also die if they cannot get food due to drought or whatever else.
So Henry the hamster or Gerald the gerbil is really getting quite a cushy life. Nice warm enclosure to live in, plenty of straw/hay/shredded paper/sawdust to make a nest in, few things to play with, and food constantly provided. Live a long and happy life and not get eaten by something within a few weeks/months of life. I'd do it if I were a gerbil
So Henry the hamster or Gerald the gerbil is really getting quite a cushy life. Nice warm enclosure to live in, plenty of straw/hay/shredded paper/sawdust to make a nest in, few things to play with, and food constantly provided. Live a long and happy life and not get eaten by something within a few weeks/months of life. I'd do it if I were a gerbil
Once you start saying that all hamsters must be free, where do you stop?
12 August 2008, 01:19 PM
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well thats that then.
im gonna go let both hamsters out now of their respective warm, comfortable habitats which have fresh water and food/treats. i think il go put them on the green behind my house and see what happens (considering a "natural" habitat round here for wildlife is an inustrial estate and/or main road network).
yep mind is made up.
12 August 2008, 01:22 PM
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well thats that then.
im gonna go let both hamsters out now of their respective warm, comfortable habitats which have fresh water and food/treats. i think il go put them on the green behind my house and see what happens (considering a "natural" habitat round here for wildlife is an inustrial estate and/or main road network).
yep mind is made up.
im gonna go let both hamsters out now of their respective warm, comfortable habitats which have fresh water and food/treats. i think il go put them on the green behind my house and see what happens (considering a "natural" habitat round here for wildlife is an inustrial estate and/or main road network).
yep mind is made up.
12 August 2008, 01:29 PM
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