Pets for ptsd?

[shatter eyes]

Rats that dont rat on you.

I think any animal from a shelter that connects with you is good candidate. My friend has a budgie too.

I have turtle and she reminds me that hiding is ok.

 

[bellbird]

I have turtle and she reminds me that hiding is ok.

I love this.

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I have turtle and she reminds me that hiding is ok.

:happy:

Everyone thanks so much for your replies, and @bellbird your description helped a lot! It’s hard for me to imagine any kind of connection with an animal other than cats, mainly because I’ve always had an instinctive bond with cats and never looked further than that.

I’ve made an appointment with a rattery who will show me around and introduce the “rittens” to me (isn’t that adorable). Based on my impressions and what she tells me I might get a rat. Depends on how much care they require. I hear they can get sick easily and are ideally kept in pairs, which drives up the costs if they get sick.

Thanks for all the input! :tup:

 

[Marinna]

My cat comes for cuddles whenever i am distressed. Cats can be aloof and weird but mine loves me too bits. So grateful for him. He will come up to me and put his paw on me. If I am not in the mood for a cuddle he will remove it after a few seconds. If I am, (mostly I am) he will crawl into my knee or arms. Ptsd service cat without the cert or training :) just a lovely bond. All your animals sound so cool. Dunno about the lizard though lol

 

[Muttly]

Yay, I am so happy you are thinking of a rat. That's what I was going to suggest too. They are super smart. You can train them. And the are cuddly like cats. My rat used to lean in and close his eyes when I scratched his chin. He just loved it. If he could have purred he would have.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Can you get a cat and train it to a harness, and walk it several times a day? Why is it cruel to keep a cat in a room, when you are keeping yourself there?

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

I can’t expect any cat (my cat) to sit on its ass all day until I walk it. It’s just not in their nature - they’re independent smartasses and that’s why I love them.

Me and a cat in a small room togheter, I think the cat would grow nervous/fidgety and that doesn’t help me (or the cat) at all.

 

[Changing4Best]

I can’t expect any cat (my cat) to sit on its ass all day until I walk it. It’s just not in their nature...

I think you are right about this. Go with your instincts. Especially when pets get older, like humans, they cannot "hold it" as well as they did when they were young. My neighbors have a dog that has to go out like every 2 hours! The dog is old. Cats are not that different in that respect.

 

[Marinna]

I can’t expect any cat (my cat) to sit on its ass all day until I walk it. It’s just not in their nature...

I think you should go for the rats but cats are still an option.

Rescue Shelters sometimes have old and traumatised cats that don't go outside or need a lot of space. There are obvious downsides though. They need more mental stimualtion and the vet bills tend to be higher.

A well adjusted, young and happy cat does need space and free roaming access to the outdoors. My current cat fits this category. But I did have an old boy who had been abused and hated the outdoors. Just tended to keep to one or two rooms and play with his toys.

Dogs (i have had a dog but am more of a cat person) will tend to love you if you treat them right and they ackowledge you as a pack superior.
Cats are more like us. They will just decide for themselves and I love it :) yaaaay kitties.

 

[bellbird]

Glad I could help @Rad !, keep us updated how the 'rittens' viewing goes (and yes, it's super adorable) :)

 

[DharmaGirl]

I've had cats all my life, and they sit on their asses doing nothing for most of the day. They sleep for 12 to 16 hours a day: How Much Do Cats Sleep?. Many people don't let their cats out ever. It is not cruel. Since you are so opposed to getting a cat, I'll bow out of this thread, since facts seem to upset the apple cart.

 

[DharmaGirl]

"hold it" as well

I wonder what those aisles of kitty litter are for?