Best pet

[PrincessWatermelon]

Could I ask for a recommendation on the best pet to have please?

My DD7 has been begging for one for ages and has just adopted a dead bumble bee she found - called it Honey and made it a home!! Realised she really really does want one!!

I'm allergic cats. My family all have dogs, but we're out working a lot, often 8am-6pm. I had hamsters as a kid but recall them sleeping all day.

What would you suggest as an easy to care for pet that DD can love? Thanks

A bunny?
I never really rated them since my neighbours little girl (8) got one just before Christmas, they're so active but also cuddly, seeing it in the garden over the nice weather has also been sweet.

It sleeps in the house but it doesn't smell (I can't smell it anyway!)

How about a budgie? They're pretty low maintenance and interactive. You can teach them to whistle and some even learn to talk. They're happiest kept in pairs or small groups. You need a fairly large cage but can get away with a slightly smaller than ideal cage if you have it open most of the day so they can fly in and out as they want to.

Otherwise maybe rats? They also don't like to live alone, you need to keep them in pairs in a very large cage but they are friendly and intelligent creatures, usually quite cuddly if carefully and patiently tamed.

Cornsnake.. Ds has had his for 10 years this year..
Low maintenance once you have the set up. Ours has never bitten. Its exciting to hold them and watch them shed their skin!!
Fascinating to see them eat too!
Great to take into school for show and tell! Ime rabbits aren't a novice pet.

Rabbits do not make very good pets for children as many do not like being handled and they also live for a long time . Rats make excellent pets , they are awake in the day , generally don’t bite and love human interaction although you do really need a group of at least 2 .

I had gerbils as a child & they were quite entertaining. Oh & guineapigs when I was about 10.

Ferrets make good pets , they need plenty of stimulation but a paper bag will be the best you you can get them .
They should be kept in pairs or larger groups .
They are very good at escaping so you can only keep them outside on flagged/ concert ground and brick walls .
They will use a litter tray and do t make a mess but they do tend to chew .
Handled well they don't bite and will ( sometimes) come when you call them .
I often took mine out for walks but don't expect them to walk very far .

the best toy you can get

Guinea pigs, they're lovely little cuddly things. The way they wheek for food is adorable.

Chickens! Get a docile breed that will allow her to pick them up and they will follow her around. Clean out once a week and fresh water daily and food. Bonus you get eggs daily.

Rats are excellent pets. They can be trained to do tricks, come to their name, sit on your shoulder, can be toilet trained and they are not nocturnal like a hamster.

Please not a rabbit. They need company so definitely not A rabbit but probably not two either. They can be quite aggressive if not looked after very well(difficult for a child) hurt when they bite, often don't like being handled... need a LOT of space. Most neglected pet ever.

Guinea pigs (PIGS not one!) Much more suitable. Corn snakes i agree too.
But do a lot of research whatever you think of.

Rats. Interesting, friendly. My vet recommends them much more than a rabbit or guinea pig.

I'd say Guinea Pigs. They're cuddly, loving, easy to handle (though need to learn), "talk" to you and don't die as often as hamsters or gerbils.

They can be smelly and need frequent cleaning out but that's not difficult. They eat your kitchen scraps (nothing makes mine happier than a broccoli stalk!).

It's cruel to keep them alone, so ideally you need 2. I currently have 3 girls. My 2 nieces who are 3 and 6 have 2 and they live them to bits!

Get a couple of Guinea Pigs

We have had cats dogs and rats.
Given the choice I would pick rats all day every day.

Guinea pigs are the best pets

A giant millipede. They're harmless, eat fruit and vegetables and are easily handled.

I would not recommend any kind of caged animal.

Why not start out with a mini aquarium? Then you can see if her interest is long-term.

Both rabbits and Guinea pigs are not that good for people with allergies, if the animals have hay to eat/hide in.

Rats rats rats rats rats.

Or guinea pigs.

Do your research first. Both need bigger cages than they'd sell you at a pet shop.

Guinea pigs and rats definitely seem to be the most favoured, thanks.

I don't think I could cope with a corn snake. And a ferret doesn't really appeal either. An aquarium- I had wondered about fish, but my DD really loves the stroking and cuddling involved (SO many cuddly toys and the bee was hugged a lot as well...) I think that fish would be missing a viral dimension for her

I'll do some research into the suggestions. Presumably guinea pigs live outdoors and rats indoors?

Rats or Guinea pigs for sure make much better pets for children. Hamsters are nocturnal while many rabbits don’t like being picked up.

I looked after a friend's gerbils for a month. They were wonderful. But incredibly fast.
Guinea pigs just poo and poo and poo and poo. We've had several over the years.
I'd get a lop-eared rabbit or a bearded dragon.

And keep in mind, you have to pair certain animals like guinea pigs. If you get guinea pigs, padlock your hutch or the foxes will open that door up and nab them. It's a real problem where I live.

Rats are really good pets and easy to tame. They train easily and are very clean. They dont need vitamin C like Guinea pigs, so no smelly green veg!