Question:
I frequent a lot of message boards pertaining to pets and I am shocked and appalled at the dumb questions people can ask! Before I ever take on a new species of pet, I read all that I can about that animal beforehand and weigh whether or not it is something that we can afford and have time to care for. I thought this was something that all people did. I was very wrong!
In the last week, I have seen people who were alarmed that their hamsters had hipspots, their bunny was eating his feces, and that their male hamster had testicles! These are basics! I've seen people concerned that their syrian hamsters were fighting, breeding, having a litter every four weeks! Did their parents never have 'the talk' with them? I even read one about three weeks ago- a kid who was concerned that their hamster didn't seem to be eating their food, but just holding it in their mouth! Now, tell me- what person- no matter what age- that can no so little about hamsters needs to be caring for one?
I guess on one hand you can say that atleast they are asking- and are trying to learn. This would be comforting if it weren't for the fact that most people who start these strings never respond again- so who is to know if they came back to read them or not!
People can't drive a car without first being tested on their knowledge of rules and safety. All over hte world, people are taking on little helpless pets that they haven't the first clue how to care for. Proof? Look on ebay. There are thousands of slightly-used caes for sale. Just what do you think happened to those poor creatures that once lived in them?


Answer:
Ha this reminds me of the first time I had a hamster, I had read info a bit, (didnt have intrent), handt found any hamster books and went on what the petstore told me, that and hubby had hamsters before so we were pretty sure we could handle it. I look over one day and see my hamster "chocking" on something, I gently work this large mass of food out of his mouth, he's giving me the death stare, hubby comes home I tell him what happened, it takes him 10 minutes to stop laughing to tell me what hte heck the hamster was doing. I felt like an idiot lol.
Yeah you should research before but the ones who DONT and ARE researching and asking questions I applaud at least there learning and trying to do best by them.


Answer:
This has been going on for a long time. It is only because of the internet now that you hear about it. When I worked in a pet store many years ago, these silly questions were often referred to me.


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no kidding. i just find it hard to believe that people waituntil AFTER they have a pet to try to find out about it!


Answer:
I think it is hard to believe that they don't know the basics. I mean, there are so many things about rabbits that I don't know yet, and I've had them for over a year (almost 2 years now) and been researching them almost non stop since I got them. But when I first got Onyx (our very first rabbit, may he rest in peace), I thought "Hey, we've got cats, we've had hamsters, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, how much different can they be? And Tim's family used to raise rabbits, so surely I'm in good hands". I still learn new things about them all the time.
I agree tho, that new pet owners can ask the stupidest questions! And if they don't even know the basics about a given animal before bringing one home as a pet, then they shouldn't even bother bringing it home.
However, to those who are generally seeking information that goes beyond basic knowledge, more power to them when they ask and stick around to receive the answer.


Answer:
I agree w/ Bex: you can never be too prepared for pets of a species you've never owned before.
I have learned so much since getting Cub, then the gp's, then Haley. I'm still learning, reading, posting on here, witnessing trial by error results.....
Sometimes people are just misinformed by common information & mainstream product promotion.
I avoid a certain bulletin board now because I got sick of people asking simple things over & over however. I can see the need is there, but I find I don't need to know most of what's posted there now, basics like don't feed your hedgehog Vitakraft & chinchilla should have a dust bath.
I have more of a problem w/ MORONS who abuse their animals knowing full well what they are doing.
Still, it is the responsibility of all pet owners to get better educated.
When you don't, you can make your animal suffer tremendously.


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i think many people start out with good intentions and along the way encounter things that they were not aware of.....I never knew rabbits had night feces which they eat................i researched proper care food and housing and learned may things along the way...............and still learning
i don't think there is a stupid question if it is truely genuine.......i think many people are afraid of asking question in fear of the responses they might get.....so they come to forums for information....and good on them for doing that because that means they are concerned about their pets well being....otherwise they wouldn't ask the questions......those are the people i worry about as pet owners


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perfect example- today a new person comes in on another board and says 'i bought two mini hamsters yesterday' and follows it with a thousand questions that could have been answered by and book or website on hamsters. I just shook my head nad refreined from posting- becuase i know Iwould have wanted to say GO GET A REFUND NOW! FOR EVERYONE'S SAKE- TAKE THEM BACK TO THE STORE!!!!!


Answer:
I think there's a difference between someone w/ good intentions getting a pet & asking a lot of concerned questions about him or her, & some IDIOT who wants a pet as a lifestyle accessory, as in "Oh, this breed of dog is so trendy, I *have* to have one!!!" or "Aren't guinea pigs sweet? I might as well get one!!". THe latter people are the ones I find who ask questions after their neglect of the animal has become painfully apparent, the former folks ask when they GET the pet.
The *reasons* behind the pet ownership determine my feelings towards the owner. I have a lot of patience w/ newbies to chins or guinea pigs or cats, because know a fair bit now. I have NO patience w/ people who get the animals, neglect/abuse them for a while, & then want your advice (& of course, a pity party to go with it).


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To continue on Neuro's train. People who come on and ask for advice for their animal, and against all advice given, continue to do it "their way" and generally cause the animal pain. Those are the stupid/ignorant people that shouldn't own an animal. I get frustrated too when people ask questions that I think are most basic, but I try to remind myself to smile and be grateful they are atleast asking. I also recently with one of my babies I sold, corrected some advice given to the purchaser by another breeder. So sometimes it's not the researchers' fault but the informer.