Pet advice for upset DD

[Doza]

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

Chickens? Unexpectedly sociable, you can get them for £2.50 each ex-rescue, they will become super friendly and come and sit with you outside if you take time with them and let them free range and they don’t mind being cuddled and stroked if you get them used to it. They do funny antics and digging and running and love to be fed and will often learn to eat from your hand. But if you go away they just need opening up and shutting up again, they can be left alone quite happily and they won’t mind if you Don’t interact with them. And you get lovely fresh eggs, and your husband doesn’t have to have a pet in the house.

Same here. My cat doesn’t get on the worktop and in fact doesn’t go into the kitchen much at all. I also comb her regularly and have no problem with fur

My cats do get on my counter tops but that is just them arguing with them is going to get me nowhere.

There is a product called Ssscat which is like a airdifusser which squirts air out if your cat comes near it. It does work, you might want to try that if you get a cat.

I love cats they bring me so much joy, just like my daughter but my life would not be complete without a cat. They do make you happy and they are characters but they will do as they please unfortunately.

Rats are amazing, can be trained, taken out, can do assault courses etc.

I'd choose a cat over rats, rats require a large cage and ours chewed lots of things, they tend to urinate lots too, although they are lovely their lifespan is short.

Cats can be aloof and not as interactive as your daughter might want, so I'd recommend getting an older rescue that you know enjoys cuddles, if you're in the North of England there is a lovely pair of older cats that love cuddles that are desperate for a home as the rescue is closing ;)

Bringing a living creature into a family home with all the commitment and cost that entails, to cheer up someone who’s upset, is a very poor reason for getting a pet.

Giant house rabbit , the calmest best behaved and most lovely. Haven’t one at the mo but would do again in a heart beat - like a really cute dog

You can't train a cat. Also she might not get a cat that likes being played with or held. Mine sleeps most of the time and will play but it's on her terms. What will happen to the cat or dog when she leaves home?

Cats are hugely variable in cuddliness, naughtiness, trainability and shedding tendency. They are however very easy to care for and potentially lovely. Ours is though she was a pita until she was about 6 yrs old!

We also have rats. They probably take less effort than a dog, but way more than a cat. Their cage is huge and we dismantle and clean it at least weekly. The rats come out for at least an hour of play time / training a day and have to be watched carefully as they chew everything, really want to escape and climb the bookshelves. My oldest child is 8 and needs help with all of this. He can do some tasks like feeding / watering unsupervised. The youngest children 3 and 5 really cannot be trusted to handle them beyond hand feeding and letting the rats climb on them.

Cats are easy pets but do tend to scratch carpets and furniture so think about whether that is something you/he can put up with. Certain breeds are bred for temperament as well as looks. Moggies can be just as friendly but more hit and miss so may be better to opt for adult cat as personality will be known.

Rabbits are lovely but hard work and unless you get one who will use a litter tray there will be droppings. Of the 4 rabbits we had only one was fastidious with his tray. They also shed a lot. Guinea pigs are better kids pets.

Bearded dragons are lovely (like little dogs) but need live feed.

I think a bird is also a good option, budgie, parrot, cockatiel. Very interactive.

Yes, and the thing with cats is, they'll decide who their key human is - sadly there's no guarantee it will be your DD OP! Fickle isn't the word... The cat could totally bond with your DD and that would be great but equally her routine (the cat's that is) might be to go out after she's had her tea at 5pm and not come in until the next morning, or spend all her time sitting in a certain spot quite clearly not wanting to be in the room where your DD is - you'll never know in advance what type of cat you're going to get.

I would also strongly recommend that whatever you end up with, you obtain that animal from a rescue. Parrots for example yes, amazing pets, but these are pets for LIFE - 30-40 years.

What would happen to all the unwanted rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, cat, dogs if people didn't rescue them from rescue centres (and bring them home to a life of 'torment' in a cage')? They'd all be PTS. I get what people are saying about cages not being adequate in size but that's down to you personally to provide the correct size cage so you don't have that problem, and with ALL pets no matter what species, stimulation, acute attention to detail on how to care for that animal, constant handling - all of this is part and parcel of having a pet. We have two guinea pigs (piggies shouldn't be homed solo) in a large indoor cage, they have a lovely time since their main purpose in life is to either be eating, sleeping, pooing or weeing. They come out regularly for general cuddles and handling, floor time, we have long
and very important conversations, hand feed, groom, trim their nails, the odd bath in the sink (for they are widdly long-haired piggies), and they are eminently happy.

If you can afford it there's no reason to rule out taking on a rescue dog as you do have the option of having someone come and dog sit or dog walk during the day say late morning, then DD would be back in time from school to take the dog out again - so if you could manage that then ruling out a dog may not be necessary.

We have ex battery chickens from the bhwt go on their website, make brilliant pets. We also have a rescue budgie from the RSPCA who we’ve trained to talk and come to our hand, she’s gorgeous, loves company and loves to sing and play with her toys. She’s currently singing along to George Ezra.

So many lovely birds dumped by the farming industry as unproductive and going to the dog food factory or market driven by breeders, people buy them then loose interest. Just take a look on preloved or gumtree or the RSPCA websites, shocking. About to rehome another dumped budgie as the little girl it was bought for from a pet shop has lost interest in it after only 4 weeks, disposable society and so, so sad.

Cats can be trained, ours recognises her special bell and associates it with a treat. I've only trained her to "come" but I think she'd do more if I tried. I think getting a cat to cheer up someone who is sad is an excellent idea. Pets are proven to reduce anxiety, particularly stroking a pet. We have stopped ours scratching furniture by getting her a cardboard scratching tray. They're cheap and very effective, they love them

I doubt she is up for 15 years of picking up excreta, twice daily walks, vet bills and never leaving the animal for more than two hours, all of which come with dog ownership. If you aren't prepared to do it then no dog.

as mentioned cats are hit and miss, some simply turn up for food.

helping someone else or at a pet charity is the ideal solution.

I don't think cats are easy pets. For a start the litter tray absolutely stinks and needs to be cleaned daily !

Cats are easy. One of mine was an adult stray; so well behaved. The other a crazy kitten who has learnt not to jump on surfaces by constant removal. As fir shedding, get a short haired, not fluffy type. One of mine definitely has more fur

Litter trays don’t stink if you get good quality litter. My dd learnt that having a pet requires poo removal and cleaning of tray. Put her off a dog

I'm amazed at all these cats that never go on work surfaces! I've had quite a few cats, and currently have two from the same litter - one who is always jumping on the work surfaces, despite me doing everything possible to try to train her out of this, while the other does it very occasionally. Basically, don't assume every cat can be trained not to, as that's not my experience! They have very different characters, but mine are my dd's best friends in their own different ways (also, although they're short haired, one in particular does shed a fair bit, but nothing a lint roller can't remove . )

Yep litter trays do not stink as long as you get the correct litter, I use the woodchip but there is one from Zooplus that you can keep in their tray for a month and just scoop out the clumps and boy does it smell nice, you get different fragrances.

Woodlitter you can buy from B&M for £5 a bag of 30ltr and I use two cups a day in their tray and just schoop out the poops.

Cats are the easiest to keep and care for, if you are going away for a weekend, just get them an electronic feeder that will drop dry food into their bowl at set times throughout the weekend.

But I am a crazy cat lady but then again I love all animals and have had all but find cats by far the easiest.

I have guinea-pigs and I kept them as a child through to my 20s , then again with my DD (she's 16 , we got her piggies when she was 9yo)

If your DH doesn't like cat fur everywhere he will detest the hay. Guineas must stash it in their pockets to liberally sprinkle everywhere. DD and I have to go into the Guinea-Pigs' Bedroom in barefeet so the hay doesn't weld itself to our socks ( but then you can get hay stuck in skin which is painful)

If I didn't fly the flag for cavies , I'd go for rats.
You can go upwards with their cages to have huge multi levels . Guineas like to be on floor level.
Also guinea-pigs are lovely and chatty very gentle but not the sharpest.

I'd be very wary of giving a pet that was a compromise though. If someone really wants a dog then a guinea-pig won't fill that gap.

And she's 13yo? Do you think she'll be looking after it/them when she's 16/18/20/ off to Uni
Look at the life expectancy of the animal and bear in mind above everything else:

Your child is a minor , YOU as the adult will bear all the responsibility.
That's the feeding, cleaning, vet bills, buying the food .

Actually cats are cool and yes they walk on the worktops but get a handheld steamer (for the worktop not the cat )

Cats are easy pets. As long as mine are fed, watered and have their litter trays cleaned daily they're happy. They spend 95% of their time sleeping, and the remaining 5% is split between eating, chasing each other and winding up the dog.

But you can't guarantee they'll be cuddly or remotely interactive or playful. One of mine loves a fuss and will sit on you for hours - the other? He'll be picked up for maybe two minutes at most and affection involves him wrapping himself around my legs twice a day when it's feeding time. Otherwise he sits alone and sleeps - isn't interested in cuddles and will bite/hiss if you bother him too much.

That said, you shouldn't get any pet for a child unless both adults in the house are willing to commit to it. Ultimately, you're responsible for insurance, food, bills, worming, flea treatment, jabs etc. so you both need to be on-board with all of that before agreeing. Don't forget arranging care for holidays as well.

My cats don't shed or go on orktops

Another vote for rats. Best pet i ever had was a rat. Had the run of my house. Loved her

The cat I got at 14 lived to be 21. He stayed with my mum as I moved a lot. Something to consider if your DH isn't that keen.

Our cat was 17 when she died , they do need to be considered as a long term housemate .