Pet suggestion

[Samsamsuperman]

I have a 4 year old and she is desperate for a pet.
I can't get a cat as I have misophonia and them grooming themselves is my worst trigger, similar with dogs but also we are all out of the house for a long day 3 days a week so it wouldn't be kind to get a dog anyway.

She adores all animals and ideally would like a pet dragon if only they were real, closely followed by a cat (sorry dear 💔)

I'm thinking rabbit, hamster or chickens.

Anyone have any advice on the above or further suggestions?

Thanks!

Indoor guinea pigs make lovely pets. Also rats are lovely if you aren't adverse and are willing to fork out for a large enough cage.

Rabbits are quite sensitive and don't make great pets for kids. Hamsters are nocturnal and also not great I think.

Guinea pigs make fantastic pets.

Rabbits do not, they are harder to look after and often not as easily handled.
Hamsters are nocturnal and often bite.

Another recommendation for guinea pigs here.

If she's into dragons though, would you ever consider a reptile? Bearded dragons are increasingly common pets.

Guineas 100%. I've kept and bred them for 30 years and never once been bitten. They're also very interactive and will squeak at your voice. They sit nicely in little children's laps too

Definitely NOT a rabbit - they are no longer classed as domestic pets - they are exotics as when looked after properly they have a very specific care regime. Rabbits should also be kept in pairs or groups as they get very lonely on their own. A rabbit can live 12 or more years too - they are a big commitment for such a small animal. I don't believe they are suitable pets for children.

All pets have specific care regimes of course, and they are all big commitments, but please research this properly before embarking on such a journey. Obviously you'll be caring for any animal for years to come as at such a young age there's only so much responsibility a four year old can take on.

If you do get a pet(s), make it a family pet and not just for your daughter - that way the onus is on the househould to look after it/them and not just a young child. Sorry if this comes across bolshy but I have strong views on pet care :)

I had to Google misophonia ( hatred of noises)

DD and I kept guinea-pigs for years .
When the last one (of 8 piggies) died we adopted two young adult cats from CPL.

Hand in heart - the cats are an easier prospect . They groom , but it isn't noisy . One is crunching a few cat biscuits right now and that's as loud as they get except the 'click' from the cat door (microchip reader) and them barging out .

Guinea-pigs are noisy though. They squeak, purr , wheek. Some 'sing' like a bird .
They groom themselves (but not noisy)
Ours used to chew their cardboard boxes and rattle the water bottles at 3am
And eat their own pooh first passing then pooh it again.

Guinea pigs! Of course! Nice one.
Yes definitely Considering a bearded dragon as I think she would love one.
Unfortunately my misophonia is so severe that seeing a cat grooming herself on the street from my window sends me loopy. It's not just about sound - I have been around cats many times obviously, so I know they are a very severe trigger. If I'm in a room with a cat and they lick themselves I can't breathe until I'm out of there. Sad because I actually love cats in theory and my daughter would love one. Other animals aren't a trigger weirdly, except dogs which are but less so. Strange disorder.