My DD wants a dog... We CANNOT have a dog.. What else?

[LashestoLashes]

My DD 13 is desperate for a dog. We are not doggy people and actually I am phobic. I think she likes the idea of a dog, something to look after / love /play with.
Can anyone suggest any alternatives?! We live pretty much on a motorway so a cat is a no no. Im also not keen on rodents.
Can anyone recommend me a good pet for her?

Suggest she volunteers with the cinnamon trust - they can match her with an older/disabled person who is struggling to walk their dog. Counts towards duke of Edinburgh awards too.

Indoor rescue cat.

An indoor cat or like someone above said, budgies.

We have a house rabbit and he is really lovely. He licks my daughter's hands for ages when she comes in and begs for treats. He just wants to be stroked all the time. He doesn't have the run of the house though because he would chew wires. He has one room that is rabbit proofed with the tv up on the wall so it is not for everyone. He uses a litter tray but does still leave little poos around, although the vast majority do go in his litter tray.

God he's adorable

Definitely not rabbits. Not suitable for kids.

Hamster as they do not live much beyond the novelty wearing off, or a rat as they are intelligent creatures.
And finally just say no, we are not getting a dog because.....and repeat endlessly.

A 13yo is fine for a beardie. I disagree with PP they are an easy reptile to keep just need to get the initial set up right and can be kept in your DDs bedroom

Nothing ours likes better than chilling out with the teens or basking on the windowsill

I was going to suggest that she volunteers for something like the Cinnamon Trust but I don't know what their minimum age requirement is.

Owning a pet is weird. Honestly it is. Owning another animal? Why not just go to places where you can see animals being where they should be and sit and watch them for a bit? Really. Animals were never supposed to be around wires and carpets and sofas. Just let them do their thing.

I realise you said you're not keen on rodents - and neither was I!!
But my DD (14) has 2 rats and they are fabulous pets. She transports them around sitting on her shoulders. They are intelligent and can be trained. They have distinct personalities and are fascinating to watch (assuming they have a been given a suitably stimulating environment). They fulfill her need to nuture and provide companionship as well as entertainment.

They live on average 2-3 years, which is a good span for a teen's pet - long enough to establish a good relationship, but they will not be left to be abandoned when the teen grows up / leaves home ...

Personally I would get a hamster over a guinea pig, they only live for 2 years (if you regret getting one) guinea pigs can live for 7 years and also need to have company.

I found our guinea pigs a lot of work for little reward and would never get another one. I sometimes used to fantasise about one day accidentally leaving the back door open when they were out of their cage but obviously I didn't!

Can I just point out here that rabbits shouldn't be kept on their own - even house rabbits with lots of human contact. They really are much better in pairs or groups.

Ds' was desperate for dogs, but we have budgies now and he's besotted.
We've gone in 2 months to having 4 (long story) and the younger pair are now coming out of the cage and fluttering round. They've got French Moult so can't fly properly as their flight feathers aren't developing properly. One will step onto your finger on command.
We let them out currently once a day and they go back into the cage when they've had enough.
Other 2 are elderly and beautiful but not really hand trained in the same way.
They call to each other and D's can't get enough of them.

I know you said you are doggie phobic, but maybe you might be comfortable with a small breed? Like a sausage dog or Westie, It might help you overcome your phobia 😀 if not I'd recommend a beardie, I've had 3 my oldest reaching 8yrs old, quite expensive for original set up but once you've got it there's nothing really that needs replacing regularly other than sand & the odd light bulb. Really great personalities as long as DD can stomach feeding times! Haha

Tortoise?

Don’t get any pet for a child. If you want one then get it for you. It won’t be your child doing the cleaning out and vet visits and feeding and grooming etc for years.

Pair of gerbils. Super easy to look after.

Wolfiefan is right. This is what I've always said. So many people get pets for their children then when their children get fed up they're given away

I agree 100% that the parent has total responsibility and must make the commitment without conditions.

I was definitely persuaded to take on the rats by dd but she gave me good reasons and we researched together so it was a choice and responsibility I took willingly.

Having said that, I have been blown away by dd's devotion to her animals and am so happy she did persuade me!

Another vote for pet rats here. Easy to look after, very intelligent, very friendly if handled well from an early age. Must be kept in pairs or more. You don't even notice the tail after a short time. They do not smell at all, as long as you clean out very regularly. Short lifespan compared to other pets (2 years).

You get them for your children knowing full well the responsibility is on you. You can still get them for your children

Rabbits chew things because they’re lonely and bored.

How does anyone get a pet without doing even a smidge of research?