by corgin » Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:04 pm
It really depends on how much time and effort you want to put into owning an animal.
Rabbit - Many tend to keep them outside, especially if you live somewhere warmer, or they keep them out during the summer, and inside during the winter. However, rabbits DO STINK. While they can be litter trained, it will have to be cleaned DAILY if you are going to keep it indoors. They can free roam as well with no problems, mine would always jump in and out of his little pen to roam around the house. Again, just more work in the sense that if you are keeping it inside, you need to clean the litter at least every other day, otherwise the entire room will stink.
Guinea pig - Again, similar to rabbit on how its kept, though these are housed indoors. They don't smell as bad at rabbits do. They can also be pretty smart as well. However, they are a bit tougher to litter train(they don't always remember NOT to poop in their sleeping den).
Fish - Safest choice, least daily maintenance, least smelly, but most boring. Fish are more of a decorative pet. The initial set up can be a bit tricky, but once you have found the right tank, pumps, heater, filters, decorations, then all that's left is biweekly(approx, depends on the fish itself) cleanings.
Snake - A little more high maintenance than fish. They need proper substrate, heating, humidity, tank setup. Also, you need to be able to feed 1 mouse/rat per week (I prefer buying them frozen from pet stores, or you can raise your own to feed). You have to be ok with these feedings. They also need to be handled regularly, to keep them tame. I'd walk around the house with my snake wrapped around my hand and wrist, watch tv, etc etc.
In the end, it really comes down to what you are willing to do, and what effort you are willing to put into the pet. Do the research to provide them the proper cage/home, toys, diet(pet stores are NOT always correct. Best is to look up actual forums dedicated to the particular animal, and do your research there on what they need, and what food is best.)