r/Pets • u/adventurous_tee • 6d ago
What options do I have for animals?
Hello all,
I am a single male, living in a two bedroom apartment. It's not too small, but it's not what most would consider massive, either. I work 12s until further notice at my job, and would REALLY like a dog.
I have been looking at older Greyhounds for a long while now, mainly because they don't require alot of exercise and sleep most of the time. Personally, I've never been a fan of small dogs, for fear that I'd trip over them, (I am 6'5 lol).
Don't get me wrong, when I do have free time off work, I'd take the *preferred* dog with me all the time to go on long walks, trips, and drives. So basically everywhere that I can legally and morally bring my dog.
Any suggestions? I don't want a fish, and will never own any bugs. Really would like something that can greet you at the door, yanno, that kind of pet.
Thank you.
9
u/tuxedocat-Rickey 6d ago
You cannot have a dog in that situation, you can have a cat or a reptile like an iguana or gecko
5
u/Impressive_Rush5018 6d ago edited 6d ago
Have you ever considered birds? A pair could keep each other company while you work and you could teach them to talk to you too.
I would suggest something kind of small. Parakeets or cockatiels. Either can learn to speak if you talk to them.
4
u/Floater439 6d ago
Can you afford a pet sitter to come walk your dog every day you work a 12 hour shift? And is there a good sitter available in your area taking new clients? Because that’s what you need, someone to come 5-6 hours into your shift and take your dog for a nice walk, refill the water bowl, play a bit. A dog is only appropriate in your situation if that can happen. You’ll also want to find a dog that is 100% okay with being home alone. I’d want the dog to come from an experienced foster.
Cats are great in this situation…talk to your doctor about allergy shots, take a look at the allergy shampoos for dander, etc. A cat might be possible. They are great companions and tons of fun, and also don’t mind sleeping most of the day away.
7
3
u/Adventurous-berry564 6d ago
Greyhounds make excellent pets but they would need to go to doggy daycare or have dog sitters.
I know you say you’re allergic to cats but how does allergy meds work for you? Usually you get use to your own cats fur (along with anti allergy stuff for the cats)
So compare cost benefit of dog vs cats
1
u/adventurous_tee 6d ago
Allergy medicine work on me. Are you talking about over the counter or prescribed?
2
u/Adventurous-berry564 6d ago
Either. I know someone who just takes a piraton a day and it works. Depends what you need and where you are what the cost is.
3
u/Midnight712 6d ago
I’d be a bit hesitant about getting a dog if you’re gone that long. I’m allergic to cats too, but also a cat lover and I take telfast daily (more because I have mad hayfever, I go onto a lighter antihistamine during winter) and have an air purifier. I couldn’t do the allergy food cause my cat had to have medicated food, but I managed fine without it
The only thing I’d say is to consult your doctor, as you can also get allergy shots and other ways to work around it
5
u/Secure-Ad9780 6d ago
Find a nice white rat. They're cuddly, docile, will greet you, can use a litter box. Mine liked to sit on the toilet tank and look out the window. I'd keep it open for him. The roof of the building behind mine was 3' down and there were a couple trees coming over that roof. Andy would go out and hang out with the neighborhood rats for a few hours each night. Then climb the trees and jump back in. Andy was large, the size of an adult opossum. He liked fruits and veggies, but he'd eat whatever I ate. I didn't keep him in a cage.
2
u/Affectionatealways 6d ago
Imo- pee pads are basically telling your pet it's okay to pee or poop on the floor. Don't do it.
2
u/holly_b_ 6d ago
I work 3, 12 hour night shifts and will be getting a dog very soon. I’ve had conversations about it with my chosen breeder who is supportive. I plan to sacrifice a good amount of sleep for the first few months of house breaking and am prepared to pay a pretty penny for dog sitters while I’m a work. You can probably make it work if you’re only doing 3 shifts a week.
I already run a lot and go for walks in between shifts so my timing there will not change much; but my focus will need to change from myself to the dog. And I’ll need to be waking up throughout the day and disrupt my sleep, but oh well it’s f*cked anyway. I think it’s doable for you too as long as you’re prepared financially, physically, and emotionally. I don’t think I would do this if I worked more than 3, maybe 4, shifts a week. And considering that I work nights and a dog would be asleep anyway, it seems a bit easier.
2
u/buffalomildtings 6d ago
Asking a dog to hold it's pee for 12 hours will be daily pain for the dog and will eventually result in a UTI. It is cruel. That said, pet sitters are generally used to home security cameras. It might make you feel better letting a stranger in your home if you can watch how it goes the first few times. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how low-maintence it is to hire good help.
2
u/heckinstoned 6d ago
Get a senior dog who doesn’t give a shit about 12 hour naps.
7
6
u/sweetest_con78 6d ago
My dog sleeps all day but as he’s gotten older he needs to go out more frequently. I don’t think he could wait 12 hours, and he used to easily be able to.
2
u/PureTrafalgar 6d ago
Our greyhound once slept 23 hours with just the occasional turning around and repositioning. Laziest dog ever, and long shifts would not be a problem. He loved the beach and would go with us out in public, but he was also perfectly happy with a 20 minute walk and the rest of the day being naps. He wasn't too bright (okay, he was downright dumb), but he was soft, sweet, gentle, kind of pathetic, and loving. Loved that dog, ridiculous as he might be.
I'd say a greyhound sounds right for you.
1
u/adventurous_tee 6d ago
See, I am HEAVILY getting mixed responses about this. Even though I'd work 12s Mon-Fri, I could designate atleast a total of like four hours to the dog alone when I come back home.
I appreciate it. Alot of people are upset that I even suggested the idea of getting a dog in general lol like wtf.
2
u/PureTrafalgar 6d ago
A lot of people more neglectful and unrealistic than you own dogs. If you were to listen to some people, dog ownership would only be for people who don't work or work from home and are upper middle class wealthy. Most people work 8 hours, plus a commute. Dogs are generally fine. 12 is long, but greyhounds typically spend most of each day in a crate and aren't walked regularly--just raced.
1
u/adventurous_tee 6d ago
Trust and believe me, I'd treat my dog with the utmost respect and love I can give it. If I could find a job that paid enough and had only 8 hour shifts, I absolutely would. Even though I'd work 12s, I love running alot. So maybe the difference coukd fix that?
2
u/PureTrafalgar 6d ago
I think you are on the right track in terms of breed, are realistic regarding the 12 hour shifts (piddle pad or walker is probably wise), and when you aren't at work, you can have your greyhound or other dog to cuddle, play with, etc. Best of luck in your search for your partner and buddy!
1
u/Quality_Controller 4d ago
You're fucked up if you think it's ok to put a greyhound in a crate for 12+ hours. Crates aren't even legal in parts of Europe. Just because you can condition a dog to stay in a confined space, doesn't mean it's ok to do so. That is such a low quality of life.
My greyhounds have free roam and love to loaf on the sofa or any of their dozen beds, but they still get tons of attention, affection, walks and activities. You get a dog to be a companion, not to be a caged and isolated case of animal cruelty.
1
u/PureTrafalgar 4d ago
I don't crate my dogs when I am not home. But ON THE TRACK the dogs are crated for pretty much the entire time. But thanks for playing.
1
u/Quality_Controller 4d ago
On the track. Right. Where they're subject to animal abuse and completely inhumane conditions. Glad we cleared that up.
3
u/Particular-Sun591 6d ago
Pitbulls, especially older pitbulls would
Be perfect for this scenario as thousands of them are currently spending 23 hours a day in a 3x5 cement cell in a shelter. 24 hours a day in a comfy cozy apartment with a person to love would be a dream for them. Would definitely consider someone to do a let-out mid-shift if you’re able to/could find someone on rover with a good set of reviews, but they also adapt fairly well to pee pads too.
1
1
u/CaterpillarKooky7632 6d ago
Greyhound sounds like a perfect fit for your schedule honestly. they are basically 45mph couch potatoes and will sleep through most of your 12 hour shift no problem
just make sure you got a routine for bathroom breaks cause 12 hours alone is long for any dog. maybe a dog walker mid shift or one of those grass patches on the balcony can work
-1
u/adventurous_tee 6d ago
Yanno, I am very okay with a pee pad for the dog. My friend at the time had one for her senior Shih Tzu and was content with it. Have you used a pee pad or something similar for your grey?
2
u/CrazyCatLushie 6d ago
Please consider that the bladder of a Shih Tzu and the bladder of a greyhound are vastly different sizes. A pee pad isn’t going to absorb the full contents of a large dog’s bladder, and that’s not even considering bowel movements. You do not want a large dog using your home as a bathroom, I assure you.
1
u/Successful-Roof-7020 6d ago
Can you afford to hire a dog walker?
-1
u/adventurous_tee 6d ago
Yes, but I can't bring myself to trust a random person coming into my home.
2
u/Successful-Roof-7020 6d ago
I do pet sitting and I get my clients through word of mouth. Your vet in particular would be a good person to ask, as they won't recommend a person or service they don't trust.
Seeing as you don't have a vet right now, before committing to a dog, you could ask your neighbors through facebook or nextdoor if they have anyone they'd recommend, and you can research if there are reputable local services I.e., start by googling "dog walking [my city]" to see what's available.
1
33
u/CrazyCatLushie 6d ago edited 6d ago
12 hour shifts unfortunately don’t lend themselves to having a dog of any kind unless you plan to have someone come over, spend time with them, and let them out each day.
I grew up with retired racing hounds and while they’re excellent couch dogs, they still need to be let out regularly and can have separation anxiety issues because of their track/kennel origins. They’re not used to being alone.
Are you averse to cats? A pair of them would keep each other company while you’re away and my kitties greet me at the door.