Is it bad of me to feel this way?

[Deleted]

I've been quite active here lately as I'm getting ready for the arrival of 4 degus. Yay! Basically this is a human problem but I'm hoping someone has any similar experiences or maybe I'm just a mean person. Anyway onto my problem:

I've started to get quite possessive over my soon to be degus. I want to keep them upstairs with me because then I'll be the main person to look after them. It sounds mean but I don't want my parents to interact with them that much as I'm worried that the degus will like them more and not me. I'm also worried that my mum will spend more time with them when I go to school therefore they will like here more. Also, when I went to meet them (as said in one of my other threads) and one was perfectly happy in my mum's hand and one bit me! It made me feel quite jealous even though I know I should be happy that one likes her. I'm scared that when I'll get them they will all love my parents and not me

Has anyone else felt like this before they got they're degus? I feel so bad but I can't help it! Thanks

[moletteuk]

I can really understand your point of view, it seems quite natural, BUT I think it's best for your degus to have as much human contact and company and to be fully part of the household as possible. You could always ban your mum from giving them their very favourite treats lol!

[cherrysparkey]

Hmm, I think I know what you mean. Luckily I was unemployed when I got ours so I spent pretty much all my time with them and were much more tame with me than my bf. Now they're tame with both of us. I don't think it really matters how much time your parents spend with them, as long as you spend as much time with them as you can. If they are in your room they'd probably be used to you more. I don't think they'll love just you or your parents, they have a lot of love to go around.

Don't forget its handy to have someone else who can care for them and that the degus are used and are happy around to so if you do go on holiday or stay out for a night or two there is someone who knows how to handle them.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the reassurance guys
I just talked to my mum and she assured me that she will make sure that I am the main provider for them. For instance, I will be the one to train them, feed them and let them out to play. My mum will give them lots of love and cuddles but so will I. Hopefully everything will go great

[Whizz]

It's understandable and I know how you feel. It can be very depressing when there is a parents always "hanging over you" and you feel like nothing is your own.

However, it's probably best for you if you do allow your mother to regularly handle, feed and etc. your degus as then if to you are ever away and she isn't, they are good hands. It also means that if something happens to one of them, and you can't be with them for any reason or need a hand, they are used to her enough that they aren't scared.
I also think the more human contact, the better. It's good to get them used to as many people as possible.

[Deleted]

I understand where you are coming from. I was going to feed them anyway because I will be home when they need feeding. If they want a lunchtime snack then I know my mum will be the provider of that. I know she will handle them no matter what I say because she has grown attached to the other animals I have had in the past. Its annoying because I want them to know they belong in our family but that they are also my pets. Feelings are confusing