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Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

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Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#51

Post by araneae »

JustAGeek wrote: post #36
jawngee wrote: post #11

Cat for sure. Kittens need a lot of attention though, as do strays you've adopted. But they are the lowest maintenance of any pets. Dogs are great but are like having developmentally disabled children; they require a lot of attention, patience and forgiveness. And it is possible to find a cat with a lot of dog like qualities. I had an awesome cat who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago that was pretty much…

Cat, agreed. However, if you leave it alone a lot and if it can't be let out, then you need two cats so there's always somebody to play with and the cat doesn't get bored causing it to develop odd behavior. As for the sex of the cat, I'd suggest tomcats. If female cats get in heat, it'll get quite annoying for both you and the cat and the only way out is sterilization. It's a routine operation, yet much more invasive…

Yes, females going into heat is very annoying. That's why there's spaying. Wild cat populations are a big problem, so not only does it save you from listening to the howling when she goes into heat, but it's also the right thing to do.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#52

Post by araneae »

shard wrote: post #46
df wrote: post #22

I have a python named Sid. A beautiful and surprisingly affectionate critter. Low maintenance and a great conversation starter ... "my kids came back from school with it one day, they were all like: it followed us home Dad can we keep it!?"

My cornsnake fits the OP's description (well I think he's cute even if my wife doesn't), is smaller than a python when full grown (5' last I measured, about a half dollar diameter), learned 1 trick (which was one more than I expected), and is much lower maintenance than the dogs and cats (and even fish) I had previously.

And plus you get to watch them eat, which can be pretty cool even if you feed them frozen (once I warmed the mouse up, wiggled it around, and my cornsnake attacked with such vigor that there was a smear of blood against the cage.)

I really want to know what this one trick was.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#54

Post by scotch_drinker »

If you think any pet is low maintenance, you are confused. Even cats, the lowest of the cute and cuddly variety, are notoriously high maintenance. You have to change litter boxes regularly or they will find new places you can't get to. They are mainly nocturnal and will often want to be fed at 4AM. They scratch furniture. Mind you, my wife and I have four and I love them but they are not low maintenance.

All pets require a reasonably high level of maintenance, especially those in the cute/cuddly genre. For you to get a pet and expect otherwise would probably be detrimental to the long term health and happiness of the pet.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#56

Post by tome »

axod wrote: post #39
tyrmored wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Upvote for cat. Cats have the hacker nature, after all. :)

Going round neighbors houses 'hacking' meals by attacking bins causing racket all night? 'hacking' the toilet by simply doing it in neighbors gardens? 'hacking' their scratching urges by hacking random trees, railings, decking etc to bits in neighbors gardens? Do not like. :) I'd love to setup some automated webcam -> nerf gun system to automatically hit any cat in the head if they enter my property. Maybe a project…

If you get your own cat then neighbours cats won't come into your garden.

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#57

Post by axod »

tome wrote: post #56
axod wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Going round neighbors houses 'hacking' meals by attacking bins causing racket all night? 'hacking' the toilet by simply doing it in neighbors gardens? 'hacking' their scratching urges by hacking random trees, railings, decking etc to bits in neighbors gardens? Do not like. :) I'd love to setup some automated webcam -> nerf gun system to automatically hit any cat in the head if they enter my property. Maybe a project…

If you get your own cat then neighbours cats won't come into your garden.

Is this the same reason we have so many nuclear warheads in the world? (Yeah I'm comparing nuclear warheads with cats).

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#58

Post by zacharypinter »

jawngee wrote: post #11

Cat for sure. Kittens need a lot of attention though, as do strays you've adopted. But they are the lowest maintenance of any pets. Dogs are great but are like having developmentally disabled children; they require a lot of attention, patience and forgiveness. And it is possible to find a cat with a lot of dog like qualities. I had an awesome cat who passed away unexpectedly a couple of years ago that was pretty much…

Cat's are definitely the best for low maintenance.

I highly recommend Litter Robot (http://www.litter-robot.com/). I've tried 3 other automatic litter boxes and this is the only one that doesn't make a mess of things. I can leave it alone for several weeks with no smell and then just swap the bag and add some litter.

For an automatic water supply, I recommend the 360 Drinkwell (http://www.amazon.com/Drinkwell-D360WB-RE-360-Pet-Fountain/d...). Stay away from any water fountains that require you to take them apart to clean/refill. With the drinkwell, I just pour in a cup of water every week and clean every 2-3 weeks.

For food, I've been happy with one of the simplest dispensers out there: http://www.amazon.com/Doskocil-Petmate-Café-Feeder/dp/B0002D.... No need for a timer or anything like that. My cat did overeat a bit initially, but I switched him to light food and it's been great ever since.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: what's a good pet for the working programmer?

#60

Post by icey »

maxklein wrote: post #35

An African grey parrot. Then you can teach it to say things like: "Don't rewrite, refactor!" or "Should you REALLY be doing that?" They are expensive, but they are low maintanance and quite intelligent.

The thing to remember with a parrot is that it may be around for the rest of your life. They are seriously long-lived animals. It's quite a commitment if you aren't positive you want one.
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