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Original poster

Pet advice for upset DD

78 replies

Doza · 10/09/2018 22:26

My DD13 has always wanted a dog. It's not going to happen as we are out of the house too much working full time. She has just had a bit of a breakdown:she really really wants a pet but she wants one that she can play with. Gerbils/ hamsters won't do as they aren't responsive enough according to her.
I would be fine with a cat but DH strongly objects as, in his words, "they shed everywhere and we'd never keep them off the kitchen surfaces".
Any ideas for a suitable pet that DD can interact with?
Or ways of persuading DH that cats can be trained?
DD is really upset this time Sad

OP posts:
DeltaZulu89 · 12/09/2018 09:53

Get a frog! I have a house full of animals (including a cat who sheds everywhere and is constantly on the bunkers, two dogs, a gecko and a snake and I also had a scorpion and some fish and mice) and the frog is the only one who never causes me any bother. Easy to keep, super cute, and it’s fun to watch him shove his crickets in his mouth. His name is Ferguson and he’s a whites tree frog.

Pet advice for upset DD
sashh · 12/09/2018 09:59

Another vote for rats.

Or a cat. I've only ever not been able to train a cat to not go on the worktops. I used to foster for 10 years so I've had quite a few in the house.

My current cat will go on the worktops given half a chance, she has also learned to open the kitchen door. I now use a door stop to keep her out of the kitchen.

Short haired cats do not shed much.

EmmaStone · 12/09/2018 10:05

I've had cats my whole life, and don't recall ever having one jumping on worktops. Short haired acts don't shed much (and ours is outside most of the time, so actually sheds very little when inside). I couldn't imagine a home without a cat though.

villainousbroodmare · 12/09/2018 10:06

Our cat is a sweetheart, sheds v little, and has never in her life set foot on a table or worktop. But then she only ever gets dry food and only in her bowl so has no expectations. I couldn't bear a cat's bum on a kitchen surface!

Pissedoffdotcom · 12/09/2018 10:07

Degus!!! They are amazing pets for kids

MorningsEleven · 12/09/2018 10:09

Definitely rats. They can be trained to do all sorts including sitting on your lap for a cuddle then running back into their cage to do a pee. Contrary to popular opinion they're very clean.

They need to be in a pair, ideally I'd get two sisters.

ittakes2 · 12/09/2018 10:10

We have a rag doll cat. placid as you like - they are indoor and that's their nature - thats why they are called rag dolls as they are floppy. my daughter would stick our's in her dolls pram and push it around and both were happy as Larry. they don't get on kitchen surfaces if I keep chairs away as its too high for them to jump in one go.

BabySharkAteMyHamster · 12/09/2018 10:12

What about a ball python ?? Theyre really interactive, take little care and are interesting too. They don't get too big, I think males only reach 4 foot or so. They don't need huge tanks either.

BabySharkAteMyHamster · 12/09/2018 10:16

Look at that cute face 😍😍😍

Pet advice for upset DD
Beaverhausen · 12/09/2018 10:19

Rats are fab pets but be prepared for Rat to pass away after 2 years unfortunately they do not have a long lifespan and guinea pigs are brilliant our Peppa passed away last year and she was 10yrs old.

Have you considered a parrot, parakeet or a cockatiel? They can be trained and are quite interactive birds.

CarefullyDrawnMap · 12/09/2018 10:26

Agree with rats and parrots. Also there are some hairless cats. Aren't there some places where you can 'borrow' a dog and walk it. Or she could do some volunteering in an animal rescue place, where she'd get lots of opportunities to interact with the animals/socialise them etc. What about riding lessons? Might be expensive, but you can build a close relationship with horses, and she could maybe do work experience there to.
A loving relationship with an animal offers so much joy in life, far more than pristine kitchen work surfaces, even were an animal to jump on them, which they very probably wouldn't. I think he's being a bit silly.

pumpkinyael · 12/09/2018 10:35

The local animal shelter is always looking for dog walkers where we live. She'd need to attend a class (about one afternoon) and she might not always walk the same dog but it could still be nice.

I think cats are great and ours certainly didn't shed a lot (I did however brush her once a week).

She didn't go on the kitchen counters either (as far as I know). She was actually quite trainable (even though many people claim cats can't be taught...)

pumpkinyael · 12/09/2018 10:37

I used to have a friend with ferrets and there would always be this lingering smell, which is why I personally wouldn't go for that.

Riding lessons however are a good idea imo. (If you can afford them...)

I just like had a look at our local shelter and they require dog walkers to be 18+ or accompanied by an adult. Might be a nice activity to do together...

Davros · 12/09/2018 14:51

I like Ferguson, he's cute.
DH didn't want a cat and insisted that she could only have dry food. Some people think it's bad to give them only dry food but Mewler is happy and healthy, today is her 11th birthday, and she doesn't show any interest in or steal other food.

Polestar50 · 12/09/2018 15:45

Would your daughter be up for rats as PP's have suggested. They seem the most 'dog-like' of the pets suggested so far in that they are highly intelligent and trainable and can be v affectionate with the right handling.
Quite a few of my friends had rats when I was younger and I always thought they were cool pets that had their own little personalities, were good company and made us laugh a lot.
Some sweet rat photos here www.artfido.com/artist-spends-years-photographing-rats-to-break-their-negative-image/

tenredthings · 12/09/2018 15:50

Rats make great pets, they respond to their name , do tricks, ours used to run around outside the house walls on the Ivy and then come back in the window to its house. They don't live too long about 3/4 years. Get one from a proper breeder , not a pet shop as the pet shop ones are from dodgy stock and can get tumors which can end up costing a small fortune in vets bills bitter experience.

Voldesnort · 12/09/2018 18:06

Ive had no issues with cats on surfaces! You don't encourage them up and feed them on the floor. I've had 3 short haired cats and they don't really shed a lot. The 2 looking hairs moult everywhere! Cats are also pretty clean. BUT your not always going to get an interactive lap cat. Current DCat is very aloof. Much more than any I've had before. Can your DD try dog walking/ volunteering ay local kennels? My Niece did that at the same age and loved it. All the interaction she could want Smile

Voldesnort · 12/09/2018 18:07

The 2 long haired* (autocorrect)

QueenOfCatan · 12/09/2018 18:55

Rats for sure. You need múltiples (I always recommend at least 3 just in case something happens to one) and a big cage. What places like pets at home advertise as rat cages are too small. They need a lot of interaction and time out of the cage too. Best to get them from a registered breeder too.
They are utterly wonderful pets though. Dh and I have kept them for nearly 5 years now and I love them still. Really fun and friendly, not nippy like other small furries and they love learning tricks.

Impulsesealer · 12/09/2018 19:02

I’d just get a cat, they are the ideal pet imo

We have a ragdoll too and I would recommend the breed over and over! Not sure your husband would like it though as they are very fluffy, I can’t wear anything black around mine! Terrible jumpers so worktops are never an issue v

MorningsEleven · 12/09/2018 19:23

@Polestar50
Oh you bugger, I want sone rats again now!

NarcolepticOuchMouse · 12/09/2018 19:24

Rabbits!

PuntCuffin · 12/09/2018 19:33

I am not a fan of any caged pet. The welfare implications are awful with most having insufficient space and/or environmental enrichment. Rabbits and guinea pigs are social animals who should not be kept solo. And should not be kept in a rabbit/guinea combo.

Most short haired cats really don't shed that much. Definitely controllable with vacuuming. And they can be trained not to get on work surfaces.

MrsFrankDrebin · 12/09/2018 20:27

We've got four cats, and none of them jump on the kitchen surfaces because I've made it clear from the start they can't (they were all adult adoptions). Cats are really easy to train as long as you put the time in (clicker-trained two cats not to scratch the furniture as well!).

Some breeds shed more/less than others, but one average short-haired domestic moggy won't really shed that much. All our cats are black and white (mostly black!) so yes we do notice cat hair at certain times of the year from one of them, but he's half Maine Coon. The other three hardly shed at all, and they're just short-haired moggies.

TBH, your DH 's reasons for not getting a cat don't really fly (if you'd said he was allergic then fine, but his reasons seem to be based on things he's heard, rather than actually real life experience!) and if you get a relatively young rescue (don't get a kitten, they're hard work) it'll very quickly imprint itself on the person who cares for it the most out of the family, so make that your DD if she's serious about wanting a pet she can interact with.

(I am very pro-cat, so obviously a bit biased!)

Davros · 12/09/2018 21:13

I agree about caged pets, I don't like it either. Getting a cat was the best thing we did for DD who is the only child at home, she gives her such comfort and is constantly entertaining. Our cat is very attached to her people and I put it down to keeping her indoors for her first two years. It was way too long but DD and DH were worried she'd get lost. I got fed up with it and let her out, she was fine. She hates it when any of us is on the phone and mews really loudly, being a Bengal it is loud, and I have to apologise to people!