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Original poster

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

90 replies

LashestoLashes · 25/09/2019 21:18

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?

OP posts:
TheNestedIf · 26/09/2019 01:35

Would you have room for an aquarium? If you do, what about an Octopus?

If that sounds boring, there was a fascinating documentary about Octopuses on the iplayer the other day. They're very intelligent and you can play with/teach them unlike many water creatures.

TheNestedIf · 26/09/2019 01:38

Here's the documentary.

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007snt

Broken11Girl · 26/09/2019 01:47

Octopus is different Grin
I'd consider a cat that needs to be (medical issues etc) or would be happy enough to be (older, chilled) indoors. Do you have a back garden that is or could be secure? Are you prepared and can you afford to 'catify' your home - if you google etc you will find all manner of cat heavens, you don't need to go to that extent but cats do need to climb and play, cat trees and toys are a minimum. You might not want a cat, just some thoughts.

Interested in this thread?

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Dogs
Chocolategirl79 · 26/09/2019 02:17

Another one to second the BorrowMyDoggy.com idea. She could meet dog owners out somewhere with their dogs for a walk or have it at home for a few hours. Or the Cinamon Trust is a great idea.

adaline · 26/09/2019 06:29

Indoor rescue cat.

happycamper11 · 26/09/2019 06:46

DD 9 has a snake (royal python) she eats every 10 days, gets cleaned out a similar number of times, doesn't make a noise or lose hair and is a fun pet to handle also ideal for someone who dislikes rodents Wink

Fairylea · 26/09/2019 07:10

Please don’t get guinea pigs unless you are prepared to keep at least 2 of them - 2 boys don’t always get on well together so you may even need to neuter them and pair with girls (we have a neutered boy and 3 girls). The cages sold for guinea pigs in pet stores are cruel and far too small- you’d need to have a c and c cage if you decide to go down this route. We got ours from here-

candcguineapigcages.co.uk/standard-cages/

We have a very large (300cm plus long) custom made one that runs along the side wall of our kitchen diner. We LOVE our guinea pigs. I feel so insanely sad every time I see guinea pigs on their own and / or shoved in tiny cages and hutches.

madcatladyforever · 26/09/2019 07:13

Guinea pigs are adorable. They squeal with joy when they see you and are very cute and friendly.

ShiftHappens · 26/09/2019 07:15

another vote for budgies!

squee123 · 26/09/2019 07:18

Send her to volunteer ar local cat or dog shelter. Lots of animals to love and care for without the full time commitment. Or cat proof your garden and get one of the more dog-like cat breeds.

ShiftHappens · 26/09/2019 07:19

and guinea pigs and rabbits are quite smelly inside the house. If you are smell sensitive, I would rule them out.

m0therofdragons · 26/09/2019 07:33

My rabbits live in the house and are really easy. We have to ensure wires are tucked away but otherwise they hop around the pop back to their litter tray to poop. They jump on our laps and seem to love cuddles with dc. I'm really baffled by those saying they're really hard. Yes, keep them in pairs, feed and clean them, give them a base but supervise them where given free run (we do this every evening). They were neutered and are 7years old. I don't get the anti rabbit advice as it's so different to my experience. Shoving them in a hutch in the garden then ignoring them isn't okay but don't do that and it's fine Confused

m0therofdragons · 26/09/2019 07:34

They only smell is male, unneutered and not cleaned out.

Dieu · 26/09/2019 07:42

This won't be a popular view Grin but I would look into getting over the phobia. Dogs are the best and anything else will be a poor substitute, if that's what she's desperate for.
A Ragdoll cat is quite doglike, and would need to be kept inside (they're extremely thick, and have no survival instinct).
Or you could look at Borrowmydoggy.

Dieu · 26/09/2019 07:43

And I don't think a dog shelter will have her until older. Insurance, etc.

mintich · 26/09/2019 08:10

Not sure why people are saying rabbits arent suitable. Any pet needs to be looked after. I had 2 rabbits from the age of 12 and I cleaned their cage, fed them, played with them etc. It really all depends on what your child is like.

happycamper11 · 26/09/2019 08:19

@Dieu my brother and his partner have 3 ragdolls. One is so neurotic he doesn't venture past the garden fence but the other 2 are very cat like, they happily scaled the 8ft fence and go out for hours and bring home birds/mice etc. I think it's more that people don't dare let them out (probably for risk of being stolen) rather than they can't be.

SweetPetrichor · 26/09/2019 08:28

Crested gecko? Dead easy to care for. My friend has one and he's a sweet little guy.

Or if after the more standard, how about a guinea pig. I had them as a kid and their wonderful pets. Really chatty and charismatic.

WildfirePonie · 26/09/2019 08:28

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.

^^This

Funghi · 26/09/2019 10:03

I don't get the anti rabbit advice as it's so different to my experience. Shoving them in a hutch in the garden then ignoring them isn't okay but don't do that and it's fine

Because the many of us who have advised against rabbits are all too aware that the majority of people who buy rabbits for kids do in fact shove the single rabbit in a hutch at the end of the garden and soon forget it exists.

That’s why rescues are overrun with rabbits that were bought as ‘easy pets’ for children. The owners are then surprised when their lonely and bored rabbit becomes unwell and costs a fortune in vet bills.

DickVanTyke · 26/09/2019 12:36

When’s her birthday? I agree with the volunteer suggestions, but 14 is a minimum age for a lot of shelters, not sure about borrowmydoggy or the cinnamon trust.

Branleuse · 26/09/2019 12:49

indoor cat

TeenPlusTwenties · 26/09/2019 12:51

DD would like a dog. We have a hamster. Smile

PonderLand · 26/09/2019 13:10

Rats can be brilliant pets if you don't want the commitment of a dog or cat but crave the affection and love from a pet!

I had one called Baby, he didn't have a cage and used a litter tray he was very big like a guinea pig. He slept in our clothes drawers and mooched about the house. He had the best life, he could easily of escaped but he enjoyed us and we enjoyed him. If he fancied a cuddle he'd jump on the sofa and tuck himself in between us and the arm rest, he'd sit on the windowsill and people watch, he'd respond to his name, he loved left over veg and his official bed was a small cat igloo. Still now I can't believe how beautiful and loving he was to us all. I miss him and if I didn't have two cats I'd happily have another and would always recommend them for older children/teenagers Smile

TrippinOut · 26/09/2019 13:14

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut

Dumbo is just the placement of the ears. It means they are lower on the rats head, as opposed to 'top ear' rats.

Dumbo rats are no different to topears.

All domesticated rats are sweet and not 'scuttly'.

:)

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